Please ensure that your preparations for the doctoral conferral ceremony are in order. Below is a list of the most important elements based on your degree, as well as the insignia associated with it.

Please note: Correct insignia are a prerequisite for participating in the ceremony. Without the appropriate insignia, you cannot be conferred.

Doctoral Hat

All doctors conferred at Åbo Akademi University wear a doctoral hat and receive a diploma. Other insignia — such as the hat model, lyre, sword, collar, or brooch — vary depending on the field of science. You are conferred according to your degree and must wear the corresponding insignia.

Insignia

A detailed overview of insignia by faculty and degree can be found here.

Sword

The sword is part of the official insignia for Doctors of Philosophy, Psychology, Education, Health Sciences, and Law. As the sword is an essential part of the insignia for these degrees, it is not possible to be conferred with only the doctoral hat.

Swords ordered through Åbo Akademi University’s group order will be delivered directly to the university. Those who ordered a sword through ÅAU will receive a fastening strap by post — a band with a buttonhole for attaching the sword to your attire.

• For male promovendi, it is recommended to sew a suitable button on the inside of the waistband on the left side, a few centimeters back from the center.

• For female promovendi, it is recommended to wear a black belt (2–3 cm wide) to which the sword can be attached.

Promovendi borrowing a sword should ensure that a fastening strap is included. If it is missing, one can be ordered via promotion@abo.fi

Collar and Brooch (for Doctors of Technology)

The insignia for Doctors of Technology at Åbo Akademi University includes either an embroidered velvet collar (for men) or a brooch (for women) worn with formal attire.

• The velvet collar is sewn onto the tailcoat to cover the coat’s original collar. Note that it may leave marks and should not be sewn onto a rented tailcoat.

• The brooch is worn on the left side of the chest.

The collar and brooch are not mandatory, but can be purchased from Åbo Akademi University’s online store.

Attire
Information regarding the dress code for promovendi and guests, for the conferral ceremony and the banquet, can be found here and below.

Submission of Hats and Borrowed Swords

Please confirm by email how you will submit your hat (and any sword), to promotion@abo.fi, by April 30, 2025:

1. Hats and swords can be delivered in person to Åbo Akademi University’s Main Building in Turku, or in Vaasa to Academill between May 9 – May 13, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

2. Hats and swords can also be sent by mail to Åbo Akademi University in Turku. They should arrive no later than May 13.

3.Alternatively, hats and swords can be brought to the Concert Hall on May 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM.

Submission to Turku, May 9 – May 13, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM:
Visiting address: Åbo Akademi University’s Main Building, Tuomionkirkkotori 3, 20500 Turku

For personal submission of the hat and sword to the Main Building in Turku, please agree on the time in advance with Tom Grönroos, via promotion@abo.fi or by phone: +358 504080882

Submission to Vaasa, May 9 – May 13, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM:
Visiting address: Rantakatu 2, 65100 Vaasa
For personal submission of the hat and sword to Academill in Vaasa, please agree on the time in advance with Roland Nylund, via roland.nylund@abo.fi or by phone: +358 500868623

Mailing:
Mailing address: Åbo Akademi University, Tuomionkirkkotori 3, 20500 Turku.

Note! Mailing only to Turku. The hat must arrive no later than Friday, May 13.

Submission to the Concert Hall:
Hats and swords can be brought to the Concert Hall in connection with the rehearsal held on May 22, 2025. If you bring your hat and sword then, you should be there by 3:00 PM.

Please note that if you have borrowed a sword, or already have a sword from before, it should be submitted according to the same instructions and schedule as the hat. The swords ordered via ÅAU’s joint order will be shipped directly to ÅAU and will be available to promovendi at the Concert Hall during the rehearsal on May 22 at 4:00 PM.

Below instructions regarding attire for doctoral conferrals.

Conferral Ceremony at the Concert Hall

Attire for both promovendi and those intending to take part in the conferral procession

• tail suit with black waistcoat, no patent shoes, no white handkerchief, no gloves or long black dress or long black skirt and black jacket (alternatively black trouser suit or black skirt suit – with black stockings – of good quality), white blouse, black shoes, no gloves, no handbag
• National or folk costume in formal style
• Official or ceremonial uniform, worn in accordance with its formal guidelines
• order decorations in the original
• rectors shall wear, in addition, the rector’s gown and chain or other official clothing

Doctoral sword

The doctoral swords are fitted with a buttonhole for attachment to apparel. Please ensure, therefore, that trousers are fitted with a corresponding extra button on the left side and at waste height. Female promovendi should likewise fit their dresses with a belt or some other form of reinforcement in order to prevent damage to clothing. See also: Instructions for the belt loop, with illustrations (in Finnish) or in Swedish here Instruktioner för fästremmen, med bild

Attire for other invited guests

• dark suit or knee long and not necessarily dark dress (alternatively trouser suit or skirt suit), no hat
• order decorations in the original
• Doctoral guests (who are not part of the academic staff or do not participate in the procession) may bring their doctoral hat to the ceremonial hall. The hat is carried on the left arm and is placed on the head at the same time as the respective conferrer dons their hat to confer degrees according to their own doctoral degree.

The Banquet at Logomo

• tail suit with white waistcoat, white handkerchief for those not wearing order decorations, patent shoes allowed or festive attire (long dress/evening gown, preferably not black)
• National or folk costume in formal style
• Official or ceremonial uniform, worn in accordance with its formal guidelines
• order decorations in original
• swords will not be taken to the banquet
• hats are not worn in the banquet-hall (hats to be left outside in the aula of the banquet-hall)
  

Rehearsal for Promotion Conferral ceremony on May 22 at 4:00 PM at Turku Concert Hall
(Aninkaistenkatu 9, 20100 Turku) Entrance via the Main Door.

It is highly desirable that all promovendi participate in the rehearsal from start to finish. You do not need to be dressed for the conferral during the rehearsal. However, the hat and any sword should be brought to the rehearsal at 3:00 PM (for those who have not submitted them in advance).

Schedule

3:00 PM: Submission of hats and swords for numbering (for those who have not submitted them in advance).
4:00 PM: Rehearsal of the conferral ceremony with jubilee and honorary doctors, promovendi, and promoters.
6:00 PM: Break (rehearsal ends for jubilee and honorary doctors, promoters).
6:15 PM: Rehearsal continues with promovendi.
7:00 PM: Q&A session.
7:30 PM: Rehearsal ends.

Assembly for the Procession
(Aninkaistenkatu 9, 20100 Turku) Entrance side door to the left of the main entrance

All promovendi participate in the procession at 12:00 PM on May 23 when the festivities begin. Note! Everyone should be present no later than 11:15 AM. The entrance is the side door to the left of the main entrance, Aninkaistenkatu 9, where you leave your outer garments and handbags on numbered hangers in the caretaker’s corridor, behind the café.

Promovendi line up together with the rest of the academic staff, chancellors, and rectors from foreign and domestic universities and colleges, in the corridor at 11:30 AM and march exactly at 12:00 PM into the concert hall.

The order is extremely important for you to be conferred in the correct order and receive your own insignia! Promovendi follow their own promoters and take their places in front of the audience. So, follow the promoter and his/her instructions. A map with the seating arrangement in the concert hall can be found at the bottom. (Note: The seating arrangement may still change until the day of the promotion).

The program in the concert hall begins with music, the rector’s speech, and singing, followed by the promotion ceremony. The total time is approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. Note! There is no break between the music program and the promotion ceremony.

• Procession (will be updated May 15)
• Promotion ceremony procedure (will be updated end of April)
• Conferral numbering and seatingarrangement ÅA Promotion – Sittordning_Seating_arrangement_2025(28.4)

Concert Hall

Guests, including the spouses of promovendi, are asked to enter the Concert Hall through the main entrance.

Guests who have informed us of the need for special seating arrangements will receive separate information regarding their designated seats. Ushers and staff will begin guiding guests to their seats starting at 11:30.

Reserved seating is available at the front right section of the hall for the close family members of Jubilee Doctors and Honorary Doctors.

The audience is kindly requested to be seated by 11:45.

Turku Cathedral

All guests are warmly welcome to attend the Conferral Church Service at Turku Cathedral. After the Conferral Ceremony, guests are asked to leave the Concert Hall and may accompany the academic procession from the Concert Hall to the Cathedral at the Cathedral Square.

Guests are asked to take seats in the middle and rear sections of the church, so that the promovendi and academic procession participants may sit at the front.

After the ceremony – Procession to Turku Cathedral

After the ceremony, the promovendi will exit the Concert Hall in procession. Rectors, all promovendi, and members of the academic procession gather in the lower lobby of the Concert Hall to prepare for the walk to Turku Cathedral.

There will be a short break (restroom access, fruit, and water provided) before lining up. After the break, please find your promotor and take your place in the procession.

Hat boxes and clothing should be left at the Concert Hall. They will be transported to Åbo Akademi University’s Main Building at Domkyrkotorget 3 and can be collected there after the church service.

In case of rain, the procession will be cancelled and transportation to the cathedral will be arranged by bus.

Conferral Church Service – Turku Cathedral

The ecumenical conferral service lasts approximately 50 minutes. The choirs Florakören and Brahe Djäknar will perform under the direction of Hanna Kronqvist.

The full program will be published on 9 May.

Important to note:

• Upon entering the cathedral, all doctors must remove their doctoral hats.

• Those carrying a sword will leave it in the vestibule (entrance hall) of the cathedral. Tables will be placed on both sides, following the same seating order as in the Concert Hall: FHPT and FPV on the left, and FSEJ and FNT on the right.

• Place your sword according to your position in the procession so you can easily find it again when exiting. Your conferral number will be marked on the tables—locate your spot based on your number.

The procession continues into the cathedral. Promovendi walk in pairs to the front rows (wooden chairs).

• The person walking on the right enters the right row.

• The person walking on the left enters the left row.

When leaving the cathedral, you exit with the same procession partner and on the same side as when entering. Remember to pick up your own sword from the vestibule on the way out.

After the church service, clothing and hat boxes can be collected from Åbo Akademi University’s Main Building at Domkyrkotorget 3.

The detailed programme for the Conferral Ceremony at the Turku Concert Hall and the Conferral Church Service at Turku Cathedral will be published on 9 May.

All those who have registered to attend the banquet at Logomo on 23 May at 19:30 will receive an email with a link to select their menu. When making your selection, please indicate any special dietary requirements or allergies, and whether you prefer a non-alcoholic beverage package or one that includes alcohol.

Banquet Schedule
19:00–19:20 Bus transport from hotels to Logomo (see below)
19:30 The banquet begins with a welcome toast in the Logomo foyer
00:00 Return buses to the hotels depart from Logomo
01:30 The banquet ends

The timetable and route for the bus transport from the hotels to Logomo and the return at night will be published here later.