The Academic Ceremony
There are many traditions and formal occasions at the University, and a significant occasion is the Academic Ceremony where academic excellence is celebrated. The Academic Ceremony is organised once every two years to honour the University's new Professors and Doctors. The Ceremony dates back to the Middle Ages and is common to all university colleges and universities in Sweden that conduct research. In connection with the Ceremony, prizes and awards will also be presented.
At the 2026 Ceremony, doctor’s degrees will be conferred and professors will be inaugurated who were appointed during the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025.
Doctoral degree conferment ceremony and professorial inauguration
The doctoral degree conferment ceremony is the solemn occasion at the University where doctoral students who have fulfilled the requirements for a degree of doctor will be conferred a doctor’s degree. In addition, honorary doctoral degrees are conferred on persons for meritorious achievements within their field. Those who will be conferred with a doctoral degree walk over the symbolic Parnassus, are welcomed by the person conferring the degree and will receive their laurel wreath, doctoral hat and diploma.
Professorial inauguration takes place when the Vice-Chancellor has awarded a diploma to the new professor.
Honorary Doctors
The title of honorary doctor is conferred on a person who has an important role for us and who has a clear link to our research and education or who has in other ways made outstanding contributions in one of our organisational areas.
Prizes and Awards
During the Academic Ceremony the recipients of the Teaching Prize and MDU’s Collaboration Medal will be honoured.
Teaching Prize
The Teaching Prize was established to promote educational development at MDU. The prize is awarded to the person who has made outstanding contributions to education at first cycle and second-cycle level (Bachelor’s and Master’s).
All students and staff at the University have the opportunity to nominate a person or group they consider should be awarded the prize. The nominee must be a permanent employee at MDU. The prize is awarded during the Academic Ceremony
Collaboration Medal
The Collaboration Medal will be awarded to a person who has made outstanding contributions in support of the University’s collaboration and co-production profile. All permanent employees may nominate a person for the prize. The medal will be awarded during the Academic Ceremony.
2026 Academic Ceremony
Date
Friday 24 April 2026
Time
The ceremony starts at 15:30 and will end around 18:00.
Place
The Ceremony: Västerås Cathedral
The dinner: Steam Hotel, Västerås
Contact
Open to the general public
The general public is welcome to attend the Ceremony from the rear pews of the cathedral. Please be seated from 14:15, no later than 15:15 and wear optional smart attire.
Overall Programme – Academic Ceremony
Friday, 24 April
08:30 Honorary guests arrival at Kyrkbacksgården.
09:30–12:00 Mandatory rehearsal for all honorary guests.
12:00–12:45 Lunch and change to formal attire for all honorary guests.
13:30–15:00 Photographs will be taken of honorary guests in groups and individually.
14:15 All invited guests take their seats at Västerås Cathedral, in the front pews of the cathedral, no later than 15:15.
15:30 The Ceremony starts.
Around 18:00 The ceremony concludes. Bus transport for honorary guests and invited guests from Västerås Cathedral to Steam Hotel.
18:15 Reception for the honorary guests and invited guests at Steam Hotel.
19:30 Banquet for honorary guests and invited guests at Steam Hotel.
Information for honorary guests and invited guests
Practical information for honorary guests
As a new professor, doctor, honorary doctor, recipient of the Teaching Prize or MDU's Collaboration Medal, you are an honorary guest at the Ceremony.
Practical information for invited guests
As an invited guest, you have an important role to play in creating a festive Ceremony for our honorary guests.
Insignia
Insignia are symbolic items that are bestowed at the doctoral degree conferment ceremony. See the information for last day of ordering!
Who is invited to the Academic Ceremony and the dinner?
The following categories of persons are invited to the Academic Ceremony:
- Honorary guests:
- At the 2024 Ceremony, doctor’s degrees will be conferred and new professors will be inaugurated who were appointed during the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025.
- Honorary doctors (2026)
- Winners of the Collaboration Medal and Teaching Prize (2026)
- The Swedish Government and Parliament, the Speaker, Minister for Education, Secretary of State, Unit for the Higher Education sector and members of the respective constituencies
- The County Governor and County Administrative Director for Västmanland and Sörmland
- The Chair of the Regional County Board and the Directors of the Sörmland and Västmanland regions
- The Chair of the Municipal Executive Board and Heads of local government for Eskilstuna and Västerås
- Research funding bodies and sectoral authorities (Director Generals and Managing Directors)
- Our collaborative partners (Managing Directors)
- The Swedish National Union of Students (Chair)
- Vice-Chancellors from other higher education institutions
- The University Board and the latest Chair of the Board
- MDU employees – Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University Director, Deputy University Director, Dean, Pro Dean, Deputy Dean, Head of Department, Director of Divisions for University Administration and Services, Head of Communication, Artistic Director, Head of Research, Strategic Director of Studies, Collaboration Coordinator.
- MDU’s previous Vice-Chancellors
- Collaborative platforms – those responsible/Process managers
- Principal supervisors for doctoral students
- Host for honorary doctor in 2026