Doctoral Graduation Ceremony is an important ceremonial event at the University of Latvia (UL), which takes place every September during the UL founding anniversary. It honours new doctoral degree holders, their scientific supervisors and the UL academic community.
The ceremony, which is rooted in historical university tradition, symbolically confirms the achievements of young researchers and their contribution to the development of science. The tradition began at UL in 2009 to honour those who have defended their doctoral theses during the last academic year or earlier.
During the ceremony, new doctors receive UL Honours – a certificate, a doctoral scarf and a silver badge* – confirming their membership of the UL community, and this moment of academic achievement is immortalised in a group photo with the UL Rector. During the ceremony, representatives of the new doctors and their scientific supervisors praise those present with speeches.
Participation in the ceremony is voluntary and symbolic, but it has become an important part of UL academic life and a respectful recognition of the achievements on the path to a doctoral degree and the strengthening of the academic community.
*For one scientific doctoral degree, a person receives the University of Latvia Honorary Badge only once.
The 2026 Doctoral Graduation Ceremony will take place on 23 September at 15.00 in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia.
Programme of the Doctoral Graduation Ceremony 2026:
- Opening of the Doctoral Graduation Ceremony;
- Address by the Rector of the University of Latvia;
- Address by the Chairperson of the UL Council;
- Address by the Vice-Rector for Research and presentation of Honour Badges to recipients of the Doctor of Science degree;
- Address by the Director of the Doctoral School;
- Address by a representative of doctoral thesis supervisors;
- Address by a representative of the recipients of the Doctor of Science degree;
- Congratulations to doctoral graduates and official photographs.
Registration for the ceremony is open electronically until 1 September 2026.
Please note:
- Graduates who obtained their scientific degree in the 2008/2009 academic year or later are not required to submit a copy of their diploma;
- Graduates who obtained their scientific degree at the University of Latvia prior to this academic year are kindly requested to submit or send electronically a copy of their diploma when registering for the ceremony to the following e-mail address: linda.dambeniece-migliniece@lu.lv.
Additional information:
- Doctoral graduates are invited to gather 30 minutes before the ceremony at Raiņa bulvāris 19, University of Latvia, near the entrance to the Great Hall (2nd floor, via the cloakroom), in order to sign for the receipt of the Honour Badges and receive detailed information regarding the ceremony proceedings;
- The approximate duration of the Doctoral Graduation Ceremony is 2 hours.
If you have any questions, please contact Linda Dambeniece-Migliniece at the University of Latvia Doctoral School:
E-mail: linda.dambeniece-migliniece@lu.lv
Phone: 67034030
Please note that photography, filming, audio recording may take place during the event for communication and publicity purposes related to the Doctoral Graduation Ceremony.