These are awarded for academic achievements to persons who have demonstrated exceptional merit, usually in their collaboration with the UGent, in university education, academic research or social or academic service.

On this occasion two institutional honorary degrees will be awarded to Mr José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and Mr Herman Van Rompuy, the first President of the European Council.

Next to the institutional honorary degrees five scientific honorary degrees will be awarded. This year’s nominees are Emeritus Professor Frank Ankersmit for the faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Emeritus Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni for the faculty of Law, Professor Paul Andrew Flecknell for the faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Eric F. Wood for the faculty of Bioscience Engineering and Professor Thomas James Kipps for the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.