Dies academicus ceremony
Resilience
Friday 9 October 2026 at 10 a.m.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Registration required - available on this page from mid-September 2026
Program
Doctorates honoris causa
Denis Mukwege
Gynaecologist, surgeon and human rights activist
Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018
Guest of honour
Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Historian, professor at New York University
On the recommendation of the Faculty of Humanities
Philippe Aghion
Economist, professor at the Collège de France, the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) and the London School of Economics
2025 Nobel Prize in Economics
Nominated by the Geneva School of Economics and Management
Valentine Zuber
Professor at Université Paris Sciences et Lettres University, Director of Studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études
On the recommendation of the Faculty of Theology
Alumnus UNIGE 2026
Christophe Chérix
Director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York
University Medal
The Histoire et Cité Festival
A festival founded and organised by the Maison de l’histoire, UNIGE
Innovation medal
Hans Hagemann, University of Geneva, Tritec SA and EMPA
For their work on the discovery of ‘Swiss Super-LumiNova
Nessim Habif World Award
Carlo Ginzburg
Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a historian specialising in microhistory
Award presented posthumously
On the recommendation of the Geneva Graduate Institute
Latsis Award
Anna Rosalie Greipl
Postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
Walthard Award
Ian Hauri
Student, Geneva School of Economics and Management, fencer
With speeches by:
Anne Hiltpold
State Councillor responsible for the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs
Audrey Leuba
Rector of the University of Geneva
Presidency of the Assembly of the University of Geneva
Musical interludes: Avelune
About this year's visual
The theme of this year’s Dies academicus is resilience. We have chosen to illustrate this theme using ginkgo leaves.
Ginkgo biloba is often associated with resilience because of its exceptional history. Having first appeared over 200 million years ago, it is one of the oldest species of tree still found on Earth. Ginkgos coexisted with the dinosaurs, and this ancient origin has earned them the title of ‘living fossil’. They have thus weathered major climatic upheavals and survived events that led to the extinction of many other species.
The ginkgo has a remarkable lifespan and is resistant to pollution, pests, disease and environmental stress. This ability to adapt has made it a symbol of perseverance and continuity.
This symbolism became particularly strong after the Second World War. In Hiroshima, the ginkgo was the first tree to regrow near the epicentre of the atomic explosion, despite the scale of the destruction.
In Geneva, superb mature specimens can be seen at the Botanical Garden, some of which are descended from the Hiroshima line
