Academic ceremony

In addition to the individuals being honoured at the ceremony, University West invites external collaboration partners and other stakeholders, as well as staff and students, to take part in this occasion. Below you will find information relevant to the different participant groups.

The deadline for registration for the 2026 Academic Ceremony is 1 November.

The registration link is included in the invitation email you have received.

Ceremony participants being honoured
You register for the ceremony and gala dinner via the registration link included in the invitation sent to you by email.
If you have any questions, please contact event@hv.se.

Invited by the Master of Ceremonies
If you have been specifically invited by the Master of Ceremonies and have questions regarding your registration, please contact event@hv.se.

External guests
You register via the registration link included in the invitation sent to you.
If you have any questions, please contact event@hv.se.

Staff at University West
All staff at University West are warmly welcome to attend the ceremony and the gala dinner. Attendance at the ceremony in Albertsalen is free of charge.

If you wish to attend the subsequent gala dinner, a subsidised fee of SEK 750 per person applies. This fee will be deducted from each employee’s salary via the Swedish National Government Service Centre (Statens servicecenter) at the beginning of 2027. You must approve this in the registration form when registering.

If you need to cancel or make changes to your registration, you can do so up until and including 1 November via the link provided in your confirmation email.

If you need to cancel after this date due to illness or other personal reasons, please contact event@hv.se as soon as possible so your place can be offered to someone else and to avoid the fee being deducted from your salary.

Registration for staff takes place via this form.

Students at University West
As a student at University West, you are welcome to attend the ceremony in Albertsalen.

Please note that seating is limited, and all students who wish to attend must register in advance.

Registration for students takes place via this form.

If you are a student representative in any of the university’s boards or committees, you are invited to attend both the ceremony and the gala dinner according to the invitation you have received by email. Please register via the link in your email.

14:30–15:15
Pre‑ceremony mingling for all invited and registered guests.
Gathering outside the Albert Hall (Albertsalen) at University West.

15:00
Doors open to Albert Hall for all guests.

15:15
The academic procession assembles in corridor J on the ground floor outside Albert Hall.

15:30
The ceremony begins and lasts for approximately two hours.
Buses to the gala dinner depart shortly after the ceremony concludes, from the parking area outside Albert Hall, to Lilla Nova (pre-booked seats only via registration).
Meeting point for buses: Gustava Melins gata 2, 461 32 Trollhättan.

18:30 – approx. 23:30
Gala dinner at Lilla Nova, Innovatum area.
Address: Nohabgatan 35, 461 53 Trollhättan.

Transportation from Lilla Nova back to the city centre is arranged individually.

Dark suit or formal attire, dress/skirt (long or knee-length), or a trouser suit.

The information below applies to all individuals who will be installed as professors during the Academic Ceremony 2026.

More specific details regarding certain parts will be sent to you separately by email. Below you will find general information. The schedule for the day can be found under the Schedule section.

Rehearsal
If you are to be installed as a professor, your rehearsal will take place on
4 December, 13:30–14:30 in the Albertsalen at University West.

The Master of Ceremonies will lead the rehearsal, and you will practice all parts of the ceremony together with the conferrer.

All professors will go on stage individually to rehearse the ceremonial elements, receive their diploma and ceremonial pin. We will also go through the grouping and positioning in the academic procession, and rehearse the procession itself.

It is therefore important that everyone can participate during this time.
If you are unable to attend, you must inform the Master of Ceremonies either via the registration form or by sending a separate email to event@hv.se.

Academic Procession
Gathering for all participants in the academic procession will take place at
15:15 on 4 December 2026.

Participants will assemble in corridor J, at the entrance level, outside Albertsalen. A designated coordinator will organize everyone in the correct order.

More information about the procession can be found under the Procession section.

Number of Guests
As a ceremonial participant being recognized during the Academic Ceremony 2026, you may invite two guests free of charge to both the ceremony and the gala dinner.

If you wish to invite additional guests to attend only the ceremony in Albertsalen (which is free of charge for all), this is also possible. These guests must be included in your registration alongside your other guests.

Please note that seating in Albertsalen is limited, so all guests must be registered.

Changes can be made up to and including 1 November, via the link provided in your confirmation email after registration.

For questions, please contact event@hv.se.

Inaugural Lecture
All newly appointed professors are invited to give a traditional inaugural lecture during the Academic Week (30 November–3 December) at University West.

This is a long-standing academic tradition, where each new professor has the opportunity to present his/her research in a popular science format.

Further information regarding format, scheduling and details will be sent in a separate email.

Professor's Film
A short film will be recorded in which you, as a new professor, present yourself and your research in a popular science format.

The film will be shown during the ceremony as a presentation and will also be published on the university website and on social media.

More information about content, recording times and format is included in the invitation sent to you by email.

Academic Insignia
During the ceremony, you will receive a ceremonial pin, designed by our jewellery artist Helle Rasmussen Theliander. You will also receive a framed diploma.

Find out more about our insignia here >> 

Below you will find important information for those who will be conferred the title of Docent (Associate Professor). Here you will find all the key details you need to know ahead of the ceremony. For a full overview of the day’s programme, please see the Schedule section.

Rehearsal
Docents will participate in a rehearsal on 4 December, 10:00–11:00, held in Albert Hall (Albertsalen) at University West, together with the Master of Ceremonies and a representative from the Appointments Committee, who will present the diplomas during the ceremony.

All docents will enter the stage together as a group. The rehearsal will cover all elements of the ceremony, so it is important that everyone attends. If you are unable to participate, you must inform the Master of Ceremonies either via your registration form or by sending a separate email to event@hv.se.

Procession
Assembly for all participants in the academic procession will take place at 15:15 on 4 December 2026.

Participants gather in Corridor J, at the entrance level outside Albert Hall. A designated coordinator will be present to arrange everyone in the correct order. Further details can be found under the Procession section.

Number of Guests
As a ceremonial participant being honoured during the Academic Ceremony 2026, you are entitled to invite two guests free of charge to both the ceremony and the gala dinner.

If you wish to invite additional guests to only the ceremony in Albert Hall (which is free of charge for all attendees), this is possible. Please register these guests as part of your overall registration. As seating in Albert Hall is limited, all guests must be registered.

Changes can be made up until 1 November, via the link provided in your confirmation email after registration. For any questions, please contact event@hv.se.

Insignia
As a docent, you will receive a ceremonial pin during the ceremony, designed by our jewellery artist Helle Rasmussen Theliander. You will also receive a framed diploma.

Find out more about our insignia here >> 

Below you will find all the important information you need to know ahead of the ceremony as a doctoral candidate. Full details of the day’s programme can be found under the Schedule section.

Rehearsal
A rehearsal will be held for PhDs and honorary doctors in Albertsalen together with the Master of Ceremonies and the Promoter from 11:15 to 12:15 on 4 December 2026.

Please bring your doctoral hat and/or ring to the rehearsal if they have not been delivered directly to the Master of Ceremonies. The Master of Ceremonies will be responsible for these items until they are presented to you during the ceremony.

During the rehearsal, all ceremonial elements will be reviewed with participants. Attendance is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, you must notify the Master of Ceremonies either via the registration form or by emailing event@hv.se.

Procession
Assembly for all participants in the academic procession will take place at 15:15 on 4 December 2026.

Participants will gather in corridor J, at entrance level, outside Albertsalen. A coordinator will be present to arrange everyone in the correct order. More information about the procession can be found under the Procession section.

Guests
As a ceremony participant being honoured at the Academic Ceremony 2026, you may invite two guests free of charge to both the ceremony and the gala dinner.

You may also invite additional guests to attend only the ceremony in Albertsalen (which is free of charge), subject to seating capacity. All guests must be registered in advance.

Changes to your registration can be made up to 1 November, using the link provided in your confirmation email.

For questions, please contact event@hv.se.

Insignia
During the ceremony, you will receive a ceremonial pin designed by jewellery artist Helle Rasmussen Theliander. You will also receive a framed diploma. 

Doctoral Ring
The University West doctoral ring is designed by jewellery artist Helle Rasmussen Theliander. If you wish to purchase a ring, you may order it directly from the designer:

Email: helle@rasmussen-theliander.se
Phone: +46 708 92 49 46
Deadline for orders: 1 September 2026

Doctoral Hat
The doctoral hat at University West is a symbol of academic achievement and honour. It is worn during the conferment ceremony, where new doctors are granted the right to wear it as a symbol of academic freedom.

You are responsible for ordering and purchasing your doctoral hat and the university’s official hat emblem directly from the hat maker.

The doctoral hat must not be worn before the ceremony. It will be formally conferred by the Promoter during the ceremony.

You need to bring your hat to the Master of Ceremonies no later than the rehearsal. You may also arrange for it to be sent directly from the hat maker to the Master of Ceremonies. 

Deadline for orders: 16 August 2026

Further information is available on the hat maker’s website.

Laurel Wreath
If you choose not to wear a doctoral hat, you may instead receive a laurel wreath, which is presented by the university as a gift to new doctors who request it.

This option is selected in connection with your official registration.

Historical background
Doctoral conferment ceremonies have been held in Sweden since the early 16th century, when the first ceremony took place in Uppsala. The tradition has evolved over time, being more prominent in some periods and less so in others. Today, it is a well-established and solemn feature of academic life.

The term promotion derives from the Latin promovere, meaning to bring forward or advance. The person who confers the degrees (the Conferrer) is usually a professor, but may also be a docent (associate professor).

Below you will find information intended for those who are employed and have completed their doctoral education at another higher education institution.

You will be recognized as a doctoral graduate from another institution, and here you can find all the important information you need to know ahead of the ceremony. Details about the full program for the day can be found under the Schedule tab.

Procession
Assembly for everyone participating in the academic procession will take place at 15:15 on December 4, 2026. Participants will gather in corridor J, at the entrance level, outside Albertsalen. A designated person on site will organize everyone in the correct order. More information about the procession can be found under the Procession tab.

Number of guests
As a ceremony participant who will be recognized in some way during the Academic Ceremony 2026, you are entitled to invite two guests free of charge to both the ceremony and the gala dinner.

If you wish to bring more guests to only the ceremony in Albertsalen (which is free of charge for everyone), this is also possible. You indicate this in your registration together with your other guests. As seating in Albertsalen is limited, all guests must be registered.

Changes can be made up to and including November 1 via the link included in the confirmation email after you have registered. If you have any questions, please contact event@hv.se.

Below you will find all the essential information you need as a forthcoming Honorary Doctor ahead of the Academic Ceremony. Details about the full programme for the day can be found under the Schedule tab.

Rehearsal
Doctors and Honorary Doctors will take part in a rehearsal in the Albert Hall together with the Master of Ceremonies and the Conferrer from 11:15 to 12:15 on 4 December 2026.

During the rehearsal, the Master of Ceremonies will go through all elements of the ceremony with all participants.

It is important that everyone can attend during this time. If you are unable to attend, you must notify the Master of Ceremonies either in your registration form or by sending a separate email to event@hv.se.

Procession
All participants in the academic procession should assemble at 15:15 on 4 December 2026. Participants will gather in Corridor J, at entrance level, outside the Albert Hall. A designated coordinator will organise everyone in the correct order. More information about the procession can be found under the Procession tab.

Number of Guests
As a ceremony participant receiving recognition during the Academic Ceremony 2026, you are entitled to invite two guests free of charge to both the ceremony and the gala dinner.

If you wish to invite additional guests to only the ceremony in the Albert Hall (which is free of charge), this is also possible. You can register these guests in your registration form together with your other guests. As seating in the Albert Hall is limited, all guests must be registered.

Changes can be made up until 1 November via the link provided in your confirmation email after registration.

If you have any questions, please contact event@hv.se.

Insignia
During the ceremony, you will receive a ceremonial pin designed by our jewellery artist Helle Rasmussen Theliander. You will also receive a framed diploma.

Doctoral Hat
As an Honorary Doctor, you will receive a doctoral hat as a gift during the ceremony when you are conferred at University West. However, you must order the hat yourself from the hat maker to ensure the correct size and design.

The doctoral hat at University West is a symbol of academic achievement and honour. It is worn at the conferment ceremony, where new doctors and honorary doctors are granted the right to wear it as a symbol of academic freedom following the completed ceremony.

The doctoral hat must not be worn before the ceremony has taken place and it is formally presented by the Conferrer during the ceremony.

The final date for ordering is 16 August.

All information on how to proceed can be found on the hat maker’s website. 

Historical Background
Doctoral conferment ceremonies have been held in Sweden since the early 16th century, when the first ceremony took place in Uppsala. The tradition has evolved over time, being more prominent in some periods and less so in others. Today, it is a well-established and solemn feature of academic life.

The term promotion derives from the Latin promovere, meaning to bring forward or advance. The person who confers the degrees (the Conferrer) is usually a professor, but may also be a docent (associate professor).

All employees at University West are warmly invited to participate in the ceremony, both the formal ceremony and the gala dinner. As an employee, you can attend the ceremony in the Albert Hall free of charge.

Gala dinner
If you wish to attend the gala dinner that follows, a reduced cover charge of SEK 750 per person applies. This fee will be deducted from each employee’s salary via the Swedish National Government Service Center at the beginning of 2027. You must approve this in the registration form when signing up.

Cancellation & changes to registration
If you need to cancel or make changes to your registration, you can do so up to and including November 1. You will receive a link in your confirmation email where you can update your registration.

If you need to cancel at a later stage, due to illness or other personal reasons, please notify event@hv.se as soon as possible so your place can be offered to someone else and so that the cost is not deducted from your salary.

Registration for employees
Registration is done via this form (link to be provided).

If you are a student at University West, you are welcome to attend the ceremony in Albertsalen. Please note that seating inside the venue is limited, so all students who wish to attend must register in advance.

Student registration will be available via this form (link coming soon).

Student representatives
If you are a student and serve as a student representative in any of the university’s boards or committees, you are invited to attend both the ceremony and the gala dinner, in accordance with the invitation sent to your email. Please register via the link provided in that email.

At the beginning of the ceremony in Albert Hall (Albertsalen), all those to be recognised at the ceremony* as well as those participating actively will enter in an academic procession. In addition, other guests holding at least a doctoral degree are invited to take part.

(* Doctors, doctors from other universities, docents/associate professors, professors, honorary doctors, the promotor, the installing officer, and other ceremonial participants to be recognised during the ceremony.)

Assembly information
All participants in the procession are to assemble at 15:15 on 4 December 2026. Gathering will take place in Corridor J, at entrance level, outside the Albert Hall. A designated official on site will arrange participants in the correct order.

When the ceremony begins, the procession enters Albert Hall together, led by the standard bearer. The procession walks across the stage before taking their assigned seats.

Doctors who are to be conferred during the ceremony and are part of the procession must not wear their doctoral hats or laurel wreaths before the conferment has taken place. Upon exiting the procession, newly conferred doctors will wear their doctoral hats. Those who have already been conferred may wear their doctoral hats throughout the procession, both on entry and exit.

At the end of the ceremony, the procession exits the Albert Hall together, led by the standard bearer.

University West has chosen the Tree of Knowledge as a central symbol in its academic insignia. The tree represents growth, learning, and knowledge. Just as a tree grows and becomes stronger over time, it symbolizes how knowledge and education continuously develop. The roots represent a solid foundation in science and research, while the branches reach outward, reflecting the dissemination of knowledge to the wider world. This symbolism is also connected to the idea of sustainability and collaboration, both in learning and in the development of society.

The insignia of University West are symbols of academic dignity and the authority of the institution. You can read more about all of University West’s insignia here. 

Visiting address
University West, Gustava Melins väg 2, SE-461 32 Trollhättan

By car
The university is located in the city center, next to Drottningtorget and opposite the municipal building and a large water tower, which are easy to spot. Exit National Road 45 at the roundabout where signs point toward the city center. University parking can be accessed from the City Hall roundabout by turning right onto Gustava Melins väg.

Parking information & permits
Parking requires a special permit on weekdays from 08:00 to 16:00. The permit is obtained through your registration, where you provide the phone number linked to the EasyPark app. This serves as your digital parking permit. Payment is then made via the EasyPark app and cannot be completed without a valid permit.

If you experience problems with your parking permit, contact Service Center on campus. You can also reach them at +46 (0)520-22 30 00.
Outside weekdays (16:00–08:00) and on weekends, no special permit is required. Select “Public parking” in the EasyPark app.

By train
If you arrive in Trollhättan by train, you can either take a bus to Drottningtorget or walk directly to the university, which takes about 10 minutes.

If you walk from the train station, pass the bus terminals, cross the road, and follow Djupebäcksgatan (to the left of the park) straight ahead to reach the university.

Västtrafik: Public transport in Västra Götaland
SJ – Trains

By bus
If you get off at Drottningtorget, you will see the university buildings, but you need to cross Drottninggatan and walk into the campus area to reach them.

If you get off at the railway station, follow the directions above for train arrivals.

Västtrafik: Public transport in Västra Götaland
FlixBus: Affordable bus travel in Sweden and Europe

By air
Trollhättan–Vänersborg Airport
Offers frequent connections to Stockholm Bromma.

Gothenburg Landvetter Airport
Located just over an hour’s drive from Trollhättan and Vänersborg, offering frequent domestic and international flights.

Find a campus map and more information about our campus by visiting this page. 

In Trollhättan, there are several accommodation options, all centrally located and within walking distance of University West. Below is a list of different hotels:

Swania
Storgatan 47–49, SE-461 26 Trollhättan
Phone: +46 520 890 00

Best Western Hotel Trollhättan
Polhemsgatan 6, SE-461 30 Trollhättan
Phone: +46 520 125 65

Hotel Kung Oscar
Drottninggatan 17, SE-461 32 Trollhättan
Phone: +46 520 47 04 70

Hotell Bele
Kungsgatan 37, SE-461 30 Trollhättan
Phone: +46 520 125 30