Information to new professors, honorary doctors and scientific award recipients
Welcome to the Annual Celebration 15-17 October 2026. On this page you find the programme for the event. You will also find information about what is expected of you, as a guest of honour, and things you and your guests need to know.
Who counts as a new professor at the Annual Celebration 2026
Professors (not adjunct professors or visiting professors) whose employment has been decided on at the Vice-Chancellor's Executive Meeting from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026 or who have been appointed previously and postponed their participation.
Before the Annual Celebration 2026
Register before 17 August
Registration opens in late June and last day to register is 17 August.
Registration is for
the Vice-Chancellor’s reception
the ceremony and the banquet
your lecture title.
You must participate in the ceremony to be able to attend the Vice-Chancellor’s reception and the banquet.
Registration of guests before 4 september Possible costs for the banquet
Once you have registered for the Annual Celebration, you will receive a link via email where you can register your guests. The deadline for registration is 4 September.
The university invites you and one guest to the Vice-Chancellor’s reception and the banquet.
You can register additional guests for the banquet for:
1,200 SEK per adult
700 SEK per person under 18 years of age.
The invoice will be sent to your email address after the Annual Celebration.
You invite your guests yourself and inform them of what they need to know. You and your guests sit together at the banquet. The number of guests at the banquet usually does not need to be limited.
Seats at the ceremony You will sit on stage during the ceremony. All guests you invite to the banquet will receive a reserved seat in the auditorium for the ceremony. You can also register guests who only want to attend the ceremony. They will then be placed near your banquet guests. You can invite as many guests as you want to the ceremony.
Children at the ceremony and banquet
The ceremony takes about 1.5–2 hours and we do not recommend young children to attend. However, if younger children still need to attend the ceremony it is important to request special seating, so that the child can easily be brought outside if necessary.
The banquet lasts 3–4 hours and it can be a long time for a child to sit quietly and still. But children are different and as a parent you are best at determining what your child is capable of. At the banquet, children are served the same food as adults, except for the alcoholic beverages.
need to change anything after you have submitted your own registration or the registration of your guests
if you or any of your registered guests can not attend.
Please note that we will charge a cover fee for cancellations to the Banquet made after Friday 2 October at 13:00.
Prepare your attire according to the dress code
The Annual Celebration Ceremony requires a certain dress code for guests of honor, but also for your guests. This means that you need to wear formal attire for some of the events.
You can purchase, hire or borrow clothes. Please make sure to prepare well before the Annual Celebration.
The Teaching Awardee Panels 09:00–12:30 in Ljusgården Atrium, the Teacher Education Building
The teaching award recipients and distinguished teachers participate in panel discussions and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Cathrine Norberg will hand out diplomas.
The event is open to the public and it is optional to attend.
Friday, 16 October
Grand opening of the University Library exhibition 11:00–12:00. Vardagsrummet, Humanisthuset.
An exhibition of the honorary doctors, new professors and award recipients is presented.
It would be nice of you to attend, however it is optional.​
The Faculty luncheon 12:00 in the restaurant in Hotel Björken
Each faculty will host a luncheon the day before the Ceremony.
An invitation will be sent from the faculty. Registration is required.
​Mandatory rehearsal before the Ceremony 13:30–15:00 in Aula Nordica
During the rehearsal, you will find out where you will walk in the procession and where you will be seated on stage during the Ceremony. You will also practice the entrance and exit in the auditorium and practice parts of the Ceremony.
It is mandatory to participate in the rehearsal for all honorary doctors, new professors and scientific award recipients participating in the Ceremony.
The Vice-Chancellor’s reception ​18:00–20:00 in restaurant Bygden, Bildmuseet​ Dress code: Semi-formal attire
The Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University invites new professors, honorary doctors and award recipients to a reception the evening before the Annual Celebration Ceremony. Hosts, faculty marshals and University and Faculty management are invited as well. You are welcome to bring one guest to the event. Drinks and snacks are served.​​
Registration is required.
Saturday, 17 October
​L±ð³¦³Ù³Ü°ù±ð²õ 9:00–12:00 in the Social Science Building and Humanities Building.
No dress code.​​
It is tradition at Umeå University that honorary doctors, new professors and scientific award recipients each deliver a lecture aimed at the general public. The lecture is 20 minutes long and focuses on the field of research, the work or similar subjects of interest.
The general public is welcome to attend.
Mandatory procession reception before the Ceremony 14:30 in Universitetsklubben, Aula Nordica Dress code: Formal attire (white tie)
At the procession reception, the new professors, honorary doctors and scientific award recipients attending the ceremony get a chance to meet other guests of honour before lining up for the procession into Aula Nordica. The procession reception is mandatory if you are participating in the Ceremony.
Your guests will not attend the procession reception but are instead welcome to mingle with other guests before taking their seats in the auditorium around 14:30 when the doors open.
Universitetsklubben is on the 4th floor in Aula Nordica.
The Annual Celebration Ceremony 15:00 in Aula Nordica Dress code: Formal attire (white tie) (for spectators not attending the Banquet the attire is optional)
At the start of the ceremony, the honorary doctors, new professors and scientific award recipients will enter the auditorium in procession and take their seats on stage.
The opening addresses will be followed by the conferment of honorary doctors and the inauguration of new professors. Lastly the scientific award recipients will receive their diplomas. The ceremony is open to the public and will generally take between 1.5 and 2 hours.
All guests who are registered for the banquet receive a reserved seat and you can also reserve seats for guests who are only attending the ceremony. The general public is welcome to attend.
Bus transport for guests registered for the banquet After the Ceremony from Aula Nordica to Restaurant Äpplet
After the ceremony, there will be bus transportation to restaurant Äpplet for registered guests who will be attending the banquet. Of course, it is also possible to take your own car or other private transportation to Äpplet.
The Annual Celebration Banquet 18:00 in restaurant Äpplet Dress code: Formal attire (white tie)
Dinner will be preceded by a gathering and a welcome toast for the guests. The toastmaster will give notice when it is time to take your seat at the table.
Starter, main course and dessert will be served with wine or non-alcoholic options. Pre-registered speeches will be held over the course of the evening. After coffee is served, the dance floor opens up to music by Renhornen.
You and your guests are seated together at the banquet.
