Dies academicus
The annual celebration is held on the last Friday in November and commemorates the opening of the University on 4 April 1460 at the Basel Minster. The next celebration will take place on Friday, 29 November 2024.
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Members of the academic student's societies present their flags. Photo: University of Basel, Christian Flierllink.zoom -
University management and guests on their way to the ceremony in the St. Martin's Church. Photo: University of Basel, Christian Flierllink.zoom -
The President’s speech within the St. Martin’s Church is a core moment of every annual Dies academicus celebration. Photo: University of Basel, Christian Flierllink.zoom -
The President wears the President’s chain, which was donated by the association “Freunde der Universität” during the dedication of the university’s main building in 1939. Photo: University of Basel, Christian Flierllink.zoom -
The faculties confer the academic degree of Doctor honoris causa to one person or more. Left to right: Prof. Dr. Marcel Mayor, Prof. Dr. Kelly Chibale, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Andrea Schenker-Wicki. Photo: University of Basel, Christian Flierllink.zoom -
In addition to honorary doctoral degrees, the faculties award many other honors and distinctions at the Dies academicus. Photo: University of Basel, Christian Flierllink.zoom -
The Basel Academy of Music, Klassik (FHNW, Chamber Academy Basel) accompany the ceremony with festive music. University of Basel, Christian Flierllink.zoom -
The master of the Academic Guild, Thomas Bachmann, answers the President’s entertaining toast with a riposte. Afterwards, they both drink a toast to the new academic year. Photo: University of Basel, Christian Flierllink.zoom
The Dies speech is the focal point of the celebration at Church. It is held by the University’s President and addresses a topic related to academia or university policy. During the Dies academicus, the faculties award honorary doctorate degrees to deserving individuals from academia and society. In addition, early career researchers are honored for their achievements through awards sponsored by companies, foundations or associations.
Ceremony at Church
The celebration adheres to a traditional procedure. Professors and distinguished guests first convene at the museum on Augustinergasse. Together with the University Council, the procession then moves into the church, followed by students in colored garb.
On this academic holiday, the professors traditionally wear gown and beret. This dress is in the style of the academic attire that Basel professors used to be required to wear in earlier times. Gown and beret are being worn for important celebrations since the inauguration of the Kollegienhaus (main building) of the university in 1939. The Academy of Music and the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland accompany the festivities with music.
Banquet at the Basel Theater
The opening ceremony at Church is followed by the more informal, but no less traditional, banquet in the Foyer of the Basel Theater. The entertainment at the banquet includes a toast given by the President, the riposte by the Master of the Academic Guild (Akademische Zunft) as well as an address given by a member of the University Council.
In addition to members of the university, the honorary doctors, and laureates, the celebration is attended by representatives from other universities, government agencies, guilds, political and economic figures, churches and media representatives. This dinner, hosted jointly by the President’s Board and the Academic Guild, demonstrates and renews the bond between the university and its supporters.
Honorary Awards 1998–2023
Presidential speeches available for download or as print edition
The President’s speeches are available for download (see download box). If you would like a printed version, you can order it free of charge. Please send us an email at kommunikation@unibas.ch.
Presidential speeches
- Andrea Schenker-Wicki: Intelligenzen. Speech at the Dies academicus 2023 (in German) (PDF, 234 KB)
- Andrea Schenker-Wicki: Über den Mut. Speech at the Dies academicus 2022 (in German) (PDF, 213 KB)
- Andrea Schenker-Wicki: Vertrauen. Speech at the Dies academicus 2021 (in German) (PDF, 249 KB)
- Andrea Schenker-Wicki: Fake News. Speech at the Dies academicus 2019 (in German). (PDF, 2 MB)
- Andrea Schenker-Wicki: Innovation. Speech at the Dies academicus 2018 (in German). (PDF, 214 KB)
- Andrea Schenker-Wicki: Die moderne Forschungsuniversität und ihre Herausforderungen im frühen 21. Jahrhundert. Speech at the Dies academicus 2017 (in German). (PDF, 213 KB)
- Andrea Schenker-Wicki: Über das Glück. Speech at the Dies academicus 2016 (in German). (PDF, 602 KB)
- Andrea Schenker-Wicki: Von der Rationalität zur Emotionalität – über die Kunst des Entscheidens. Speech at the Dies academicus 2015 (in German). (PDF, 284 KB)
