Solemn inauguration of new professors
"Every new professor, excellent teacher and pedagogical award winner, contributes to our university with their very own perspectives and insights. In this way, you enrich our common pursuit of knowledge and experience."
So said Vice-Chancellor Malin Broberg in her speech at one of the university’s most prestigious celebrations: the Inauguration of new professors, which this year was held on the 12th of June in the Concert Hall.
Beyond celebrating the inauguration of new professors, the university also welcomed visiting and adjunct professors who have their main employment elsewhere. Additionally, Pedagogical Award Winners and Excellent Teachers were recognised.
Becoming a professor or receiving a teaching award does not mean one has reached the end of the line, however, but rather that there is a number of new responsibilities one has to shoulder, says Vice-Chancellor Malin Broberg.
"Continuing to drive the development forward, to inspire, lead, and educate the next generation of colleagues and students, is a responsibility which contributes to the continuous improvement of our university. Your achievements and commitments have already impressed us all, and we now look forward to learning how you will continue to influence and shape our academic community."
Astrid von Rosen, Professor of Art History and Visual Studies, held the professors’ speech to the University. In it, she explained that she became an academic late in life, after she had, in a whirl of confusion, ended up at a lecture in art and visual science. To this day, the whirling has yet to cease.
"I would like to describe the academic confusion as a sort of focused intoxication, a mental state of “flow”. This state is something in-between excitement and control, between hard work and pleasure, and it feels like becoming one with the world, like being loved, capable and strong."
Hampus Haugland, chair of the University of Gothenburg Student Unions, encouraged the professors to always stay curious.
"Your curiosity and enthusiasm is contagious and makes me and my fellow students excited to learn more, to explore new areas and to also make attempts at explaining the world’s many oddities."
The ceremony also included several musical elements and ended with mingling in the foyer of the Concert Hall.
By: Eva Lundgren
Facts: The inauguration ceremony for new professors took place on the 12th of June in the Concert Hall. 35 professors were installed, nine adjunct professors and two visiting professors were welcomed. In addition, excellent teachers and pedagogical award winners were recognized.
The event was organized by Akademiska högtider, the Communication Unit. The musical elements were performed by Oskar Valeberg, Millan Baekström and Beatrice Vanzo, the Academy of Music and Drama, and by the Gothenburg Brass Quintet and the Gothenburg Academic Chamber Choir.