Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees in Technology

The next ceremonial conferment in the field of Technology will take place during the Ceremony Week on 12 June 2026 at Dipoli. The most prestigious of the academic events is hosted by the School of Electrical Engineering.

Promovere: to move forward, promote, further

The Finnish word for conferment, promootio, comes from the Latin verb promovere: to promote, to move forward. In the past, a person for instance only obtained the right to speak in universities after a ceremonial conferment. The words master and doctor also have their roots in Latin, both referring to teacher.

Graduates wearing black hats at a ceremony with flags in the background on a blue-lit stage. — Photo: Conferment of Doctoral degrees in Technology, 2024, Heli Sorjonen

Tech Conferment 1958_Act of Conferment — Conferment of Doctoral degrees in Technology, 1958

Conferment ceremonies of Doctoral Degrees in Technology at Aalto University

The degree of Doctor of Science in Technology is relatively new compared to the doctorates awarded by traditional science universities.

University status and the right to award doctoral degrees was granted to the Technical University of Finland, later Helsinki University of Technology, in 1908. Its first dissertation was in the field of chemistry, Sulo Hintikka’s ‘Studies on Camphenilone’, supervised by Professor Gustaf Komppa and approved for publication in 1911.

The first conferment in Finland for doctors in technology was held in 1934 in the grand auditorium of the university, by Hietalahti market square. The occasion, a formal evening affair followed by a coffee gathering, was graced by the presence of the President of the Republic and other leading dignitaries of Finland. Ten Doctors of Science in Technology as well as two honorary doctorates were awarded at the ceremony. The doctors honoris causa were Karl Evert Palmén and Eliel Saarinen. The Finnish title for Doctor of Science (Technology), teknologian tohtori, was later changed to tekniikan tohtori.

A group of people in formal wear and traditional hats, holding drinks and mingling at an indoor event. — Photo: Aalto University / Heli Sorjonen

Promovendi

Every student who completed their doctoral degree in technology between 1 May 2024 and 30 April 2026 is invited to participate in the 2026 Ceremonial Conferment. The right to participate is a one-time possibility.

The pre-registration will start in August 2025. If you are planning to finish your doctoral degree by 30 April 2026 you can send an email to conferment@aalto.fi.

Honorary Doctors 2024: Cecilia Tortajada and Marjo Yliperttula — Photo: Aalto University / Heli Sorjonen

Honorary doctorates

Aalto University confers honorary doctorates to persons of high standing in the fields of science, technology, arts or business, or in other societal or cultural activities. These persons also have strong connections ɫɫ�� University or have a significant impact to activities at the Aalto University. The honorary doctorates of the conferment in 2026 will be published during the spring.