dg club

Picture from last years Spring Graduation ceremony. 

ImageMattias Pettersson

On Thursday 15 May, the ceremony for the University's excellent and merited teachers will take place. It is an occasion to celebrate and recognise those who have been appointed from autumn 2023 to autumn 2024, a total of 34 teachers will participate. During the ceremony, each teacher will be presented with a pin and thanked by representatives of the university management, students and the teaching staff.   

“Teachers are one of the cornerstones of the university's activities. Therefore, it feels good to recognise them on one of the university's most festive occasions. We hope for a good turnout,” says Cathrine Norberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for education on the first- and second-cycle level at Umeå University, and the person representing Umeå University at the ceremony.  

The ceremony for excellent and merited teachers will be held in Ljusgården on Campus Umeå 12.30–13.15. All interested parties are welcome. 

Recognising researchers

On Saturday 17 May, it is time for the Spring Graduation ceremony in Aula Nordica in Universum on Campus Umeå. Researchers at Umeå University will be honoured. During this year's ceremony, 86 new doctors and 18 jubilee doctors will be conferred, 7 of the jubilee doctors will be present, the rest will be conferred absent. Jubilee doctors are people who received their doctorate 50 years ago.   

During the ceremony, the doctoral insignia are handed out – the doctoral hat or laurel wreath, doctoral ring and diploma.   

“We are so proud of the breadth of socially important and innovative research conducted at Umeå University. This is really something to recognise and celebrate,” says Peter Sköld, Master of Ceremonies at Umeå University.   

New Vice-chancellor is installed

The academic ceremonies are very traditional. However, one tradition that doesn't happen every year is the installation of a Vice-chancellor – but this year it's time. On 1 April, Tora Holmberg started her position as Vice-chancellor at Umeå University. During the Spring Graduation, the former Vice-chancellor, Hans Adolfsson, will place the gold Vice-chancellor chain around her neck. The chain is a sign of the dignity of the office.  

Tora Holmberg is new Vice-chancellor since 1 April.

ImageMattias Pettersson

It feels great to be able to wear the mighty Vice-chancellor chain and be part of one of the university's most important ceremonies.

Tora Holmberg becomes the ninth Vice-chancellor to be installed in the university's 60-year history.   

“It feels great to be able to wear the mighty Vice-chancellor chain and be part of one of the university's most important ceremonies. I have only had a short time to get to know Umeå University. This ceremonial act will be an important step in my role as Vice-chancellor,’ says Tora Holmberg. 

The ceremony will take place in Aula Nordica in Universum at Umeå University on Saturday 17 May at 16.00. The entire ceremony is open to the public, and will last 1.5-2 hours. It is possible to watch a live webcast of the ceremony. A banquet for invited guests will follow. 

Watch the live broadcast at umu.se/live. 

Symbolises the rushing waters of the Ume and Vindel rivers

The gold Vice-chancellor chain was presented for the first time in 1965, the year the university was founded, by King Gustav VI Adolf.   

The chain is a gift from the city of Umeå and is made of gold from the mines of Västerbotten.   

Designed by goldsmith Sigurd Persson, it symbolises the rushing waters of the Ume and Vindel rivers and contains elements from the Umeå city coat of arms from 1646.

Three reindeer heads in a row surrounded by the house of knowledge. 

Nowadays, Tora Holmberg's name is engraved on the chain.