The Programme of the Ceremonial Conferment
School of Business Ceremonial Conferment
Below you can find descriptions of the events of the School of Business Ceremonial Conferment.
Promootion akateemisia tansseja varten promovendeille ja heidän seuralaisilleen järjestetään kahdet tanssiharjoitukset. Registration for the rehearsals was done when purchasing the ticket.
The rehearsals will be held at the following times:
Friday, 24 April, from 16:00 to 18:00 at Otahalli, Palloiluhalli (Otaranta 6), and
Friday, 8 May, from 16:00 to 18:00 at Otahalli, Palloiluhalli (Otaranta 6).
On the first day of the conferment ceremony, all promovendi (alumni holding Master’s, Doctoral, or Honorary Doctorate degrees) will attend mandatory conferment rehearsals to practice the proceedings of the conferment act. This ensures that the act on Friday runs smoothly and according to plan. After the rehearsals, the Laurel Wreath Weaving event (³¢±ð³ó±¹Ã¤²Ô²õ¾±³Ù´ÇÂá²¹¾±²õ±ð³Ù), hosted by the parents of the Spirit of Mercury, will take place. During this event, the promovendi prepare the laurel leaves that will be presented to them during the conferment act. The evening also provides an opportunity to set the festive mood for the conferment while enjoying a buffet dinner..
The day of the conferment begins with the ceremony for the awarding of Master’s diplomas, followed by the central and most prestigious moment of the conferment – the Act of Conferment. In this ceremony, the promovendi are formally inducted as full members of the academic community. The Act of Conferment will take place in the Aalto University Töölö Hall. After the act, a ceremonial procession takes place, bringing the academic celebration out into the city. The procession proceeds to Temppeliaukio Church for the conferment service or, alternatively, a non-denominational event.
On the same evening, the Conferment Dinner takes place. This festive yet joyful occasion combines academic dignity with a celebratory atmosphere. Guests enjoy a multi-course meal, hear speeches, and raise toasts – the mood may even evoke that of student organization anniversary celebrations! In addition to the promovendi and their companions, invited guests also attend, some of whom have participated in the Act of Conferment earlier in the day.
Following the dinner, the evening continues with traditional academic dances accompanied by live orchestral music. The dance programme includes the Polonaise, Valse, Cicapo, Mignon, and Pas de Quatre. After the formal dances, the floor opens for informal dancing before the evening continues with after-parties. Separate dance rehearsals are arranged in advance, so there is no need to worry if the steps are not yet mastered – everyone is welcome to join!
On the final day of the conferment, everyone gathers one last time to celebrate together at the Gratistas Herring Luncheon. The atmosphere is light and cheerful – a perfect way to conclude the celebrations in good company, once again honoring the well-deserved achievements!
Thursday, May 21, 2026
| Time | May 21, Aalto University Töölö, Runeberginkatu 14–16, Helsinki |
| 15:45 |
15:45 Master’s promovendi arrive at Aalto Töölö The dress code for the rehearsal is the same as for the Laurel Wreath weawing Event. Companions may attend the rehearsal if they wish. If a companion does not participate, the promovendi should inform them of the meeting point for Friday morning before the Master’s diploma ceremony. |
| 17:00 |
17:00 Doctoral promovendi arrive at Aalto Töölö The dress code for the rehearsal is the same as for the Wreath Weawing Event. Companions may attend the rehearsal if they wish. |
| 18:00 |
18:00 Honorary doctors arrive at Aalto Töölö, rehearsal for honorary doctors The dress code for the rehearsal is the same as for the Laurel Wreath Weaving Event. Companions may attend the rehearsal if they wish. |
| 18:30-22:00 | Other invited guests arrive at Aalto Töölö from 18:15 onwards. This also applies to jubilee master’s, jubilee doctors, and graduates of the Aalto Executive DBA programme. |
| 18:30-22:00 |
Laurel Wreath Weaving event A Buffet dinner will be served at the event. |
Friday, May 22, 2026
| Time | May 22, Conferment, dinner and academic dances | |
| 9:30 | Master's promovendi and companions, arrive at Aalto Töölö 9.30 -10.00 Organizing into a procession |
Aalto University Töölö, Runeberginkatu 14–16, Helsinki |
| 10:00 |
Awarding of the Master's diplomas at Aalto University Töölö (Masters and companions) The event will be livestreamed, friends and family can follow the event remotely. The stream will be added to the event website closer to the event date. After the ceremony, a light lunch will be served for master’s graduates and companions from approximately 11:15 to 11:45. After lunch, master’s graduates will assemble into the procession, and companions will proceed back to the main hall. |
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| 11:00 | Honorary doctors and hosts with their companions, arrival at Aalto University Töölö 11:00–11:45 Coffee service, room Af Enehielm 11:45 Organizing into the ceremonial procession (companions to the main hall) |
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| 11:00 | Jubilee master’s, jubilee doctors, and graduates of the Aalto Executive DBA programme arrive 11:00–11:45 Coffee service and distribution of wreaths, room Salmenkivi. After this, they proceed to the main hall. |
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| 11:30 | Doctoral promovendi and their companions arrive 11:30–12:00 Organizing into the ceremonial procession (companions to the main hall) |
|
| 11:45 |
The professors arrive and organize into the procession at 2nd floor Companions to the Main Hall |
|
| 12:00-14:00 |
The Act of Conferment The doctoral hat is a symbol of academic distinction. During the ceremony, the Conferrer first puts on their own hat, after which those already entitled to wear the hat do the same. Until then, the hat is carried in the left hand. The hat is also worn during the national anthem and the church service. Doctoral candidates and honorary doctors will be formally conferred with their hats during the ceremony. |
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| Academic Procession to the Temppeliaukio Church / Rock Church | ||
| about 14:40-15:40 |
Conferment Service and Non-denominational Ceremony The cloakroom at Aalto University Töölö will remain open until 18:00 |
Temppeliaukio Church, Lutherinkatu 3, Helsinki Botta Hall, Museokatu 10, Helsinki |
| Break | ||
| 18.15 onwards | Arrival at Dipoli for dinner | Dipoli, Otakaari 24, Espoo |
| 19:00 |
Conferment Dinner and Ball Academic dancing begins at approximately 22:30, followed by free dancing The event ends at approximately 00:30. |
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| 00:30 | Afterparty (approx. 10-minute walk) | Servin Mökki, Jämeräntaival 4, Espoo |
Saturday, May 23, 2026
| Time | May 23, Gratista's Herring Luncheon | |
| 12:30 onwards | Arrival at Restaurant Bank | Restaurant Bank, Unioninkatu 20, Helsinki |
| 13:00 | Event starts, buffet lunch about 13:20 onwards | |
| about 15:30 | Show programme begins and continues until approximately 18:00 | |
In the event, we adhere ÄûÃʵ¼º½ University's principles for a safer space. More about the principles here.