Editing Delft University of Technology (section)

====Doctoral defense====

The [[Doctoral studies|doctoral defense]] is of ceremonial nature and is held in the senate room. It lasts exactly one hour, during which the doctoral candidate must answer all questions from the committee. Sometimes the candidate is accompanied by one or two [[paranymph]]s, who theoretically might help defend a question asked by a committee member. The defense is ended by the [[Bedel|pedel]], who enters the room and says in Latin ''Hora est'' (''It is time''), stamping the university [[Staff of office|staff]] on the floor. The committee then moves to a separate room to decide whether to grant the candidate a doctorate or not. Then the committee returns to the room where the defense was held, and if the doctorate is granted the promoter presents the [[praise|laudation]] praising the new [[doctor (title)|doctor]]. The entire ceremony is chaired by the [[Rector (academia)|rector]] or a representative.