Doctoral graduates honoured at the University

Sixty-three doctoral candidates received the University's gold medal in the presence of Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, at the University's annual Ceremony for Graduated Doctors. These are all doctors whose doctoral defence took place at the University of Iceland from 1 December 2017 to 1 December 2018; this is the eighth time a ceremony of this kind takes place.

Doctoral studies have been strengthened considerably in recent years and there are currently 600 PhD students enrolled at the University of Iceland. The candidates' contribution to research and teaching has played an important part in Icelandic society and in strengthening the University as an international research institute. This is reflected by the number of publications in world renowned scientific journals, and in the University’s place on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and ShanghaiRanking.

The contribution of PhD students in collaboration with their supervisors, is important on a global scale and strengthens the international science community in its search for solutions for today's dire challenges.   Doctoral research not only creates new knowledge in numerous fields but also lead to new growth companies that enrich Icelandic industry. It is thus vital for Iceland to have a dynamic research university that contributes greatly to Iceland's competitive advantage in science, innovation and economic development within the global knowledge society. 

The doctoral graduates that received their gold medal have graduated from all of the University’s five schools; 24 men and 39 women. The group was quite international, reflecting the strong international standing of the University but 44% of the candidates that graduated between 1 December 2017 and 1 December 2018 have a foreign nationality. The group is diverse, coming from 19 countries in Europe, Asia, and North-America. Five of the doctoral graduates completed a joint degree from the University of Iceland and an international university. Close to sixty doctoral candidates will complete their PhD in 2018, making the total number of doctoral graduates from the University of Iceland well over six hundred at the end of the year. 

By tradition the president of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson addressed the doctoral graduates, both congratulating and encouraging the doctoral graduates.  Furthermore, one of the doctoral candidates, Skafti Ingmarsson, doctor in history, addressed the ceremony on behalf of the post docs.

The University is extremely proud of this group of doctoral graduates and sincerely congratulates them on their PhD degrees and wishes them well in the future in all their endeavours.