New doctors at Medfarm to be conferred

Between 12:45 and 15:00, the traditional cannon salutes sound at regular intervals across Uppsala. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.
Soon it is time for the first of this year’s two doctoral conferment ceremonies, and on this occasion, 44 new doctors from the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Pharmacy will be conferred and receive their doctoral hats in a ceremonial manner in the Grand Auditorium.
On Friday, 26 January, the cannons will once again echo across Uppsala – as they have since the early 1800s – when the University’s newly appointed doctors and honorary doctors are conferred during the Winter Conferment Ceremony in the Grand Auditorium.
At this event, 44 new doctors from the medical and pharmaceutical faculties, after passing exams, will be awarded the traditional honours, or doctoral insignia, in the form of doctoral hats and diplomas.
In 2023, no less than 133 doctoral theses were presented at the two faculties.
Regarding the doctoral insignias, the same applies to honorary doctors, with the addition that they also receive rings, unlike the doctors who do not receive their rings during the ceremony. This year, only the Faculty of Medicine has appointed honorary doctors: Edith Heard, Hugo Katus, and Peter Visscher.
Degree conferrer for the Faculty of Medicine during the ceremony is Catharina Svensson, Professor of Molecular Virology, and for the Faculty of Pharmacy, Sofia Kälvemark Sporrong, Professor of Social Pharmacy.
Immediately after the ceremony in the auditorium, the medical and pharmaceutical faculties host a reception with the Vice-Chancellor, specially invited guests, honorary doctors and their companions to honour the newly conferred doctors. This has also become a tradition – albeit a newer one. The first reception was organised in 2018.
Traditional soundscape across Uppsala
The Doctoral Conferment Ceremony itself lasts three hours from 12:00 to 15:00. But early in the morning, at 07:00, it becomes evident what a festive day it is. The first round of cannon blasts is fired from Uppsala Castle at that time. More will follow in intervals between approximately 12:45 and 15:00 at specific times during the ongoing conferment ceremony. Another sound that the residents of Uppsala will be able to hear, at 08:00 exactly, is the bells of Uppsala Cathedral – also a tradition.
Tickets are available for free outside the hall from 10:00 on the day of the ceremony.
Programme 26 January
07.00
Cannon salute from Uppsala Castle.
08.00
Bell ringing from Uppsala Cathedral.
12.00
Conferment Ceremony for all nine faculties in the Grand Auditorium. The Royal Academic Orchestra, Uppsala University’s own symphony orchestra, perform during the ceremony.
The ceremony includes cannon salutes in intervals between approximately 12:45 and 15:00.
Please note that all seats should be occupied by 12:00.