141 new doctors in spring semester
Spring 2015 saw 141 people getting their doctorate at the University of Bergen. This is 26 more than last spring.
The biannual celebration of new PhDs is a highlight of the academic year. After many years in the historic Håkon’s Hall at Bryggen, the celebration on 28 August 2015 marks the start of a new tradition in Bergen.
”This year’s doctoral promotion will be extra special, as we are making use of the new University aula for this richly traditional celebration. It is a joyous occasion to have the promotion back on university ground,” says rector Dag Rune Olsen.
Women and international doctors
Over half of the new doctorates are women, and according to Olsen this is to be expected from the changing student demographics.
Around 34 per cent of the new doctorates are international.
“It is important for us to have a substantial portion of international doctoral candidates. This shows that the University of Bergen is of high international quality,” says Olsen.
Honorary doctors to be given separate ceremony
This spring the University board decided to appoint four honorary doctorates at the University of Bergen: writer Jon Fosse, Professor Helga Nowotny, former U.S. Vice President Walter F. Mondale, and business man Trond Mohn.
These will not be a part of the doctoral ceremony in August, but will be celebrated in a separate ceremony this autumn.