Opening Ceremony of the Academic Year 2025–2026

The event is for university staff, students, alumni, and friends of the University. Registration for the ceremony has closed and the event is fully booked. If you have not registered, you are warmly welcome to follow the professors’ procession and listen to the Teekkaritorvet in the main lobby by the green coat racks from 2:55 p.m. onwards.

Programme

Academic Procession of the Professors

Opening Speech
Rector Arto Maaninen

Government’s Address
Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie

Students’ Address
Chair of the Board, Student Union of the University of Oulu, Vilma Sippola

Peeks into science and education
Assistant Professor Renata Prunskaite-Hyyryläinen
Professor Elias Oikarinen
University Teacher Pietu Halonen

Awarding the distinguished members of the university community

Music
the University of Oulu Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Sinikka Ala-Leppilampi
Vocal Ensemble Neliä

Estimated end time 4.30 pm.

Coffee service after the ceremony.  

Arrival and safety:

• Dress code: Smart casual
• The celebration begins at 3.15 pm when we hope the audience to be seated. Please arrive on time!
• There is a supervised cloakroom in the lobby. You may bring a small handbag, but larger bags and outdoor clothing must be left in the cloakroom for the duration of the ceremony.
• We encourage you to arrive on foot, by bicycle, or by bus.
• All parking spaces in the P11 area on Pentti Kaiteran katu and in the P2 area on Erkki Koiso-Kanttilan katu are freely available during the opening ceremony (parking areas on the map).
• Saalasti Hall has an accessible entrance. Accessible parking spaces are also available (see accessible parking spaces on the map)
• You can familiarize yourself with the university’s safety instructions in advance on the university website. General guidance will also be given before the celebration begins.

Enquiries: avajaiset@oulu.fi

Opening week's programme

In addition to the Opening Ceremony of the Academic Year, the Opening Week programme includes:

• Wednesday 10 September at 1:30 pm: Ecumenical Service at the Saint Luke’s Chapel, Yliopistokatu 7
• Wednesday 10 September at 2:55-3:15 pm: Teekkaritorvet and the Academic Procession of the Professors at green coat racks in the central lobby, Linnanmaa campus
• Thursday 11 September, 12 noon–5 pm: Hurmos Day for students at the Linnanmaa Campus
• Friday 12 September from 10 am onwards: New professors' inaugural lectures at the Tellus Stage, Linnanmaa Campus
• Friday 12 September, 4 pm–12 midnight. Hurmos Festival for students at Kuusisaari, Oulu