Staff

Professor of rural sociology at the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, Frank Vanclay, has just returned from an overseas examination duty.

Prof Vanclay took part in the formal examination of PhD candidates at Wageningen University in The Netherlands.

With its origins stemming back to the Middle Ages, PhD candidates at Wageningen University in The Netherlands take part in a “promotie”, which is a combination of oral exam and graduation ceremony – all conducted in public.

The student is required to answer questions from a panel of four academic experts at an oral exam, which lasts exactly 45 minutes.

The PhD candidate is required to address the examiners as “highly esteemed opponent” and the questioning ends only when the university ceremonial officer, Pedel/Beadle, stamps the mace on the floor, announcing in Latin, “Hora est” (the time is up).

Prof. Vanclay and three fellow examiners awarded Loes Witteveen with her PhD in Communication and Innovation Studies on Tuesday, 6 October, 2009.

Picture: Prof Frank Vanclay in formal examination robes prior to the promotie in the Netherlands.