Aapeli Tourunen is the Gratista of the Conferment of Degrees Ceremony 2023
Aapeli Tourunen graduated with a Master’s degree from the Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics in 2020. His major was corporate communication, and his minors were human resource management and history. At the moment, Aapeli Tourunen is the CEO of Männikkömetsä Oy. In addition, Tourunen works as a part-time teacher at the Open University of Jyväskylä, which means that he has maintained a close connection to the University even after graduation.
Aapeli Tourunen says that he is looking forward to the upcoming Conferment of Degrees Ceremony: “It’s great to be able to experience such a traditional and wonderful celebration, where some of the traditions are centuries old.”. The Finnish Conferment of Degrees Ceremony tradition is based on almost 800 years old European tradition. Earlier the Gratista was in charge of the Ceremony’s finance and budget. Because of this work, she/he didn’t have to pay participation fee. Nowadays the Gratista contributes to the organizing of the Conferment of Degrees Ceremony in collaboration with the Coordinator of the Conferment Ceremony, the Conferment Committee and the Masters’ and Doctors’ Committee.
According to Aapeli Tourunen, the role of Gratista opens up the possibility for him to become part of the organization and traditions of the Conferment of Degrees Ceremony. In addition, he says that the role of Gratista gives him an opportunity to give something back to the University of Jyväskylä, from which he has received a lot during his studies. “Being the Gratista at the Conferment Ceremony 2023 kind of closes the circle.” Tourunen describes.
In the Conferment of Degrees Ceremony, the new Masters and Doctors will be given their degree in the ceremonial act of Conferment, and will receive a Master’s laurel and ring or a Doctor’s hat and sword as the sign of it. Distinguished persons will also be appointed as honorary doctors in the ceremony. The Conferment Ceremony for all faculties of the University of Jyväskylä is the eleventh in its order and will be held on 19-21 May 2023. A total of nearly 300 masters, doctors and honorary doctors have registered for the celebration.
