Örebro University cancels this year’s academic celebrations
This is what it looked like during the academic celebrations last year.
This year’s academic celebrations at Örebro University have been cancelled.
They were to take place on 7–8 February.
“Örebro is a town in mourning. We are now cancelling our academic celebrations following the worst shooting in the history of our country,” says Vice-Chancellor Johan Schnürer.
Örebro University’s academic celebrations take place every year in February. The celebrations include a doctoral degree conferment ceremony and the inauguration of new professors. Various awards are also usually conferred at this major event, attended by more than 400 guests.
However, after the shooting that resulted in the death of 11 persons at the adult education centre on Campus Risbergska in Örebro on Tuesday, university management have decided to cancel all events linked to the academic celebrations at short notice.
“I’m aware that many have been looking forward to the academic celebrations and some have travelled far to celebrate our new doctors. But I hope for everyone’s understanding – that we are unable to hold our celebrations during this very dark and sad week,” says Johan Schnürer.
It has not yet been decided how the conferment of doctoral degrees and awards and the inauguration of professors will be handled.
Örebro University has today flown the flag at half-mast in honour of the deceased. Several hundred students and staff paused to observe the minute of silence held at the university at lunchtime.