On the basis of the preliminary examination statements, the Academic Council decides on the permission to print the dissertation and appoints the custos and the opponents (one or two) for the public examination. The supervisor submits by email the proposal for opponents (link to LUT intra, restricted access) to LUT Doctoral School (LUT.dissertation.process@lut.fi) xternal site, link opat the latest a week before the meeting.

Check the dates for the Academic Council meetings and deadlines (see Files - Dissertation process important dates).

LUT Doctoral School sends the opponent(s), doctoral candidate, supervisors and preliminary examiners the following :

• an announcement of the decision
• instructions for the opponents and for the public examination
• opponent statement form
• the forms regarding the reward for the work

The custos (chairperson) of the public examination is usually one of the supervisors, who must be eligible to act as a coordinating supervisor for doctoral students. He/she advises the opponent(s) on the protocol of the public examination, helps with travel and accommodation arrangements, as well as with other possible issues related to the event. The opponent's reward and travel expenses are paid by the school of the doctoral candidate.

After getting the permission to print the doctoral candidate starts the publishing and printing process of the dissertation, takes care of the media announcement and the arrangements for the public examination.