News | Honorary Doctorates 2022

Eight new honorary doctors at UiB have been appointed

In a solemn ceremony in the University Hall, the eight new honorary doctors at UiB were honored. They received the award for their outstanding work for science.

EXCELLENT EFFORT: The eight new honorary doctors at UiB were awarded the title for their very significant work in science. Honorary Doctor Rajiv Bahl from the Faculty of Medicine was not present.

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Eivind Senneset

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MARCHING IN: True to tradition, Rector Margaret Hagen and Vice-Rector Pinar Heggernes led the march during the solemn ceremony in the University hall.

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Eivind Senneset

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CEREMONIAL: In addition to the university management, the deans of all the faculties were also present to present their honorary doctor.

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Eivind Senneset

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APPOINTED: Author and PhD Bergsveinn Birgisson receives his honorary doctorate from Rector Margareth Hagen and University Director Robert Rastad.

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Eivind Senneset

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APPOINTED: Professor Sverker Sörlin receives his honorary doctorate from Rector Margareth Hagen and University Director Robert Rastad

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Eivind Senneset

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APPOINTED: Artist Britta Marakatt-Labba receives her honorary doctorate from Rector Margareth Hagen and University Director Robert Rastad

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Eivind Senneset

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APPOINTED: Professor Elena Plante receives her honorary doctorate from Rector Margareth Hagen and University Director Robert Rastad

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Eivind Senneset

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APPOINTED: Professor Fiamma Straneo receives her honorary doctorate from Rector Margareth Hagen and University Director Robert Rastad

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Eivind Senneset

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APPOINTED: Professor Achille-Joseph Mbembe receives his honorary doctorate from Rector Margareth Hagen and University Director Robert Rastad

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Eivind Senneset

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HONORED: Lawyer and professor Hans Petter Graver was one of the eight new honorary doctors and was nominated by the Faculty of Law. Here with Rector Margaret Hagen and University Director Robert Rastad.

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Eivind Senneset

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Eivind Senneset

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Eivind Senneset

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Main content

By Paul André SommerfeldtUpdated: 10.06.2022 (First published: 02.06.2022)

Vice-rector Benedicte Carlsen led the traditional ceremony where a new honorary doctor from each of the seven faculties at UiB was appointed. This was the first time the university appoined new honorary doctores since 2019.

Each of them has, in various ways, done an outstanding job for the benefit of science or made a significant scientific contribution. Among the new honorary doctors is an Icelandic author, a Cameroonian philosopher, a WHO-researcher and a Sami visual artist.

The new honorary doctors are:

Professor Sverker Sörlin, proposed by the Faculty of Humanities.
Professor Elena Plante, proposed by the Faculty of Psychology.
Artist Britta Marakatt-Labba, proposed by the Faculty of Art, Music and Design
Professor Fiamma Straneo, proposed by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Professor Hans Petter Graver, proposed by the Faculty of Law
Professor Raijiv Bahl, proposed by the Faculty of Medicine
Professor Achille Mbembe, proposed by the Faculty of Social Sciences
Author and PhD Bergsveinn Birgisson, proposed by the university management.

The highest award

Rector at UiB, Margareth Hagen, and Deputy-rector Pinar Heggernes led the march to the tunes of Emil Børås procession-fanfare. In her opening-speech, Hagen emphasized that the honorary doctorate is the highest award a university can give to someone outside their own institution. She also reminded that the process of deciding who will receive the appointment is thorough and extensive.

– The honorary doctors have created changes in their fields, for the better for society. The University of Bergen is proud of what you have done for science, for humanity and for having you here today, Hagen said.

Important institutions

She further emphasized that universities are important anchor-institutions in a time marked by pandemic, an ongoing war in Europe and anxiety related to climate change and geopolitics.

– The values of solid knowledge, patient learning and lifelong commitment comes forth with all its strength, the rector said.

Next up the deans of each of the seven faculties entered the podium to present their honorary doctors. Vice-Rector Pinar Heggenes presented the author and PhD Bergsveinn Birgisson, who was proposed by the university leadership.

After a musical performance, the ceremony was rounded off with a greeting speech by honorary doctor and professor Elena Plante.

The entire ceremony was streamed and can be seen here.

HONORARY DOCTORS AT THE UIB

Honorary doctorates are awarded without the need for a doctoral thesis or public defence by institutions that are entitled to award doctorates, etc.
The first honorary doctorate at the UiB was awarded in 1952.
The last time an honorary doctorate was awarded at the UiB was in 2019.
Since the first award in 1952, the UiB has now awarded 134 people with the title of honorary doctor at the UiB.
An honorary doctorate is a doctoral degree that is awarded by a university without the recipient previously having to defend a thesis in a public defence.
Such honorary doctorates are usually awarded to prominent people. Honorary doctorates may also be awarded in recognition of significant lifetime achievements.