Spring Graduation
The Spring Graduation Ceremony takes place in late May or early June.
At the Spring Graduation Ceremony, the doctoral students who have written, published and successfully defended a thesis are honoured with a conferment ceremony. Following the public defence of the thesis, the new doctor is entitled to be conferred and receive the doctoral insignia - a ring, hat and laurel wreath.
The conferment ceremony (Swedish: promotion - from the Latin word promovere, which means to push forward, advance or promote) symbolises that the new doctoral degree recipient (doctor) has earned the right to assume academic teaching responsibilities at the higher educational level. A doctoral degree is the highest level of academic credential one can attain. The conferment ceremony at Umeå University takes part in front of a small leaf-covered bridge called a parnass, where the new doctor is greeted by the conferrer (Swedish: promotor) with a handshake. The conferrer, who is himself/herself a doctor, is the one who bestows or promotes the insignia to the new doctors. The hat, laurel wreath, ring and the diploma are examples of the insignia. When the doctor has received the insignia, he/she walks through the parnass and is bidden farewell.
Academic and scientific awards are also distributed at the spring graduation ceremony. A popular scientific programme featuring short lectures by the award winners is presented on campus in connection with the annual ritual.
After the graduation ceremony, a three-course dinner banquet or “spring party” is held for invited guests with speeches, song and dance to celebrate the new doctoral degree recipients.
