Doctors and Honorary Doctors of Military Sciences conferred at the third National Defence University conferment ceremony

The third National Defence University conferment ceremony was held in Helsinki between 18 and 20 September 2025. At the conferment ceremony, 23 doctors of military sciences graduating after 2018 and 5 Honorary Doctors were conferred. Conferment grants them the right to use the doctoral hat and sword.

The conferment ceremony is a university tradition in which people who have earned a doctoral degree are conferred in a solemn ceremony. In addition to the conferment itself, the three-day event includes several traditions, such as the sword whetting, festive procession and conferment sailing trip. In addition to the academic traditions of all Finnish universities, the National Defence University‘s own unique traditions are observed at the conferment ceremony.

Conferment ceremonies have been held throughout Europe since the Middle Ages, with such traditions being first adopted in Finland in the 17th century. The National Defence University doctoral programme was instituted in 1998 and the first doctoral conferment ceremony was held in 2013. This also marked the first doctoral conferment ceremony in military sciences in all of Europe.

A sharpened sword - welcome, defender of the truth

The ceremony commenced with the sword whetting on Thursday, 18 September. At the event, the promovendi whet their swords on a grindstone doused in sparkling wine, symbolising the sharpness of the doctors’ intellect. After the whetting, each promovendus is afforded the opportunity to deliver a speech dedicated to their sword.

In his speech, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Pentti Forsström talked about the ever-changing role of the sword as part of Finnish military tradition. Although the sword is no longer a necessary combat weapon, the fields of research in military sciences are still closely tied to the sword and its symbolism. There are clear parallels between the use of the sword and practice of science: the weapon has to be sharpened regularly, as when it becomes dull, it no longer serves the person wielding it. This underscores the timelessness of scientific research and the need for its continuous development. 

“Research in the military sciences is multidisciplinary in nature - it is not conducted in a vacuum. This is why it must be possible to measure, gauge and assess the performance of the sword, also at the national and international level and in development. In this respect, technology, social sciences and philosophy are vital partner sciences for military sciences,” explains Forsström.

Military sciences are built on interdisciplinary cooperation

The conferment ceremony itself was held at the House of Nobility in Helsinki on Friday, 19 September. The event included speeches, valedictorian question-and-answer and musical performances. The ceremony culminated in the conferment, during which each promovendus was presented with their doctoral hat and sword as a symbol of their academic achievement. 

Professor Juha-Matti Lehtonen, who served as the conferrer, reflected on the nature of military sciences and the role they play in the field of research. The core of the discipline is generally thought to deal with military skills, which in turn consist of military strategy, operational art and tactics. 

“Because tactics are not a theoretical but a practical skill, they are naturally comparable to technology, medicine or education. An essential aspect of the relationship between, for example, tactics and technology is that the primary objective of both is not to produce new knowledge, but to enhance the ability of people to do concrete things.”

Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen, Chief of Defence Command, emphasised the important role that Doctors of Military Sciences play in the research, teaching and expert tasks of the National Defence University. Even though many of the graduates later serve as professors on the National Defence University staff, they also perform a wide variety of demanding tasks both in the Defence Forces and elsewhere in central government. Nine officers who earned a doctoral degree are also currently serving at the rank of general.

“The Doctor of Military Sciences degree offers significant benefits. The highest possible academic expertise and an in-depth knowledge of the Defence Forces paves the way to take on the most demanding tasks in development of the defence system,” says Virtanen.

The Honorary Doctorate is a recognition of work done to advance military sciences

Five Honorary Doctors of Military Sciences were also conferred at the event. The highest recognition granted by the university, the Honorary Doctorate is awarded to a person who has promoted development of the discipline through their achievements and work, also outside academia. Honorary Doctors from the National Defence University have contributed to research in military sciences and made a major contribution to the building of total security. Read more about Honorary Doctors in this press release.

For Mika Hannula (D.Sc. (Tech.)), being conferred as an Honorary Doctor is not only a personal honour, but also conveys to society the idea that knowledge and analytical thinking serve the common security of all citizens and the country as a whole. 
“In today’s world, research in military sciences is perhaps more important than ever. We live in a time of complex and wide-ranging security threats. Military science research not only analyses these threats, but provides a knowledge-based foundation for decision-making and develops solutions that increase the security and resilience of society as a whole,” states Hannula.

After the conferment ceremony, the audience was able to follow the traditional procession through the centre of Helsinki, where the doctors marched from the House of Nobility to the Helsinki Cathedral in a solemn display. The promovendi were accompanied by National Defence University professors and members of the university administration. The day concluded with the doctors honouring the university’s own military traditions by laying a laurel wreath at the grave of Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, Marshal of Finland and at the Heroes’ Cross at the Hietaniemi Cemetery. Friday’s programme of events culminated in an evening gala in Santahamina, where the promovendi were able to enjoy a well-earned celebration after their years of hard work. On Saturday, the third day of the conferment ceremony, the doctors gathered one more time for the closing ceremony, which was held at Katajanokka in Helsinki.

Our sincerest congratulations to all the conferred Doctors and Honorary Doctors of Military Sciences!