The faculty council will appoint the opponent and the custos. Doctoral candidates may contest these appointments if they have reservations concerning the impartiality of the nominees.
The public examination is usually arranged no earlier than four weeks after permission to defend the dissertation has been granted. The faculty confirms the date of the public defence. There are separate guidelines for writing a press release.
Once the permission has been granted, the custos and the administrative secretary of the faculty agree on advising the doctoral candidate. The faculty covers the opponent’s travel and accommodation costs. The administrative secretary helps the custos with practical arrangements.
The date of the defence is primarily a weekday. If the public defence will be held at the university’s premises, please contact the faculty office early on to reserve the room. Please mention about any specific requirements that you may have for the room. The faculty office will also take care of distributing copies of the dissertation to the custos, opponent, and on public display.
Men: A black, navy or dark-grey suit, single- or double-breasted – the fabric can have discreet stripes. A potential waistcoat should be made of the same fabric as the suit or its colour should be in harmony with the suit. White shirt. A tactful tie or bow tie that works with the suit (not white). Dark socks and shoes with slim soles.
Women: An elegant black (dark) dress or a light two-piece (skirt or trousers). Light shoes. Socks should complement the dress, e.g. the colour can flatter that of the shoes.
Men: A black tailcoat with matching trousers that have satin on the side seams. The coat is not buttoned. A black waistcoat (also in the evening event, if only men are present). A white starched shirt with a stiff front and collar. A white bowtie. No handkerchief at daytime. Black socks and shoes with slim soles (not patent leather at daytime). No wristwatch. For outdoor clothing, a black coat or cape, a white scarf and white gloves.
Women: A black, high-necked, long-sleeved dress or two-piece (skirt or trousers). Black gloves. Graceful shoes.
Typically, public defences are announced to begin at 12:00. It is advisable for the audience to be present by this time. Audience members can take flowers or presents with them to the defence room, but they are handed over to the doctoral candidate after the defence when coffee is served and congratulations are given.
The public defence begins when the doctoral candidate, custos and opponent arrive – in that particular order – into the defence room fifteen (15) minutes past the announced time of the event. When the doors open to the candidate, the audience stands up.
The custos and the opponent, provided that they are doctoral degree holders, carry their doctor's hats in their hands when entering and leaving the defence room. For the duration of the public defence, they place their hats in front of them on the table with the lyre emblem facing the audience. If clip-on microphones are used, they are switched on only in front of the audience.
After the lectio praecursoria, the doctoral candidate remains standing for the duration of the opponent’s opening speech. The opponent stands up to make a brief statement about the scientific status and significance of the dissertation and about other general issues. The candidate listens to the statement standing, looking at the opponent. At the end of this brief statement, the opponent announces that he or she will continue with more detailed observations. The opponent and the candidate will take their seats.
At the conclusion of the examination, the opponent makes a final statement. The doctoral candidate stands up to listen to it. The candidate looks at the opponent. At the end of the final statement, the opponent announces whether he or she will propose to the Faculty that the dissertation be accepted. The doctoral candidate will remain standing to thank the opponent. The doctoral candidate can freely formulate his or her thanks, but the nature of the event will naturally be taken into account.
After thanking the opponent, the doctoral candidate will ask the audience to make comments and pose questions: "If anyone present wishes to make any comments concerning my dissertation, please ask the custos for the floor."
The opponent is given the opportunity to thank the opponent and custos. Only thereafter can others approach to congratulate the doctoral candidate. Public speeches are saved for the party – karonkka. If the public defence is organised at the university’s premises, the university offers coffee and cake after the event.