The doctoral graduation ceremony honours the university’s doctoral candidates and marks their transition to fully qualified doctors. The ceremony has its origins in a centuries-old university tradition, and demonstrates for USN that the university is providing education at the highest academic level.
USN inaugurated its doctoral graduation ceremony in 2019.
A very special day
The doctoral graduation ceremony marks a very special day on which the Rector and the Deans of the various faculties wear their academic gowns. Wearing the gown has a long tradition and symbolises the highest academic distinction. Everyone dresses up in their finest dresses and suits, or in Norwegian national costume.
Before the ceremony itself, a dress rehearsal is held that all participants must attend.
The ceremony opens with the Rector leading a procession into the hall, followed by the Rectorate, the Board of Deans and the doctoral candidates. The Rector gives a speech to the doctoral candidates, and the special USN fanfare is played. Representatives from the various faculties also give speeches, and the candidates then approach the stage to receive their doctoral diplomas from the Rector. One of the newly graduated doctors will then give a speech on behalf of all of his or her colleagues.
After the ceremony, the Rectorate, Board of Deans and the newly graduated doctors process out of the hall and gather together outside to have their photos taken.
The ceremony provides affirmation, both to itself and the outside world, that USN is part of an academic tradition.
When the ceremony and other formal aspects of the event have been completed, the newly graduated doctors are invited, with their guests and other VIPs, to a social gathering with university managers, where refreshments are served.
Interaction with the community
Not only the doctoral candidates, but also their guests and their internal and external supervisors and tutors, are invited to the ceremony. All employees at USN are also invited.
The doctoral graduation ceremony is also intended to highlight the fact that USN provides educational opportunities at the highest academic level in close collaboration with the business community and wider society.
For this reason, representatives from regional and municipal government, as well as those from USN’s local partners in the business community, are also invited to the ceremony.