My PhD defense
(July 25, 2008)

Here are a few pictures of my PhD defense (examination, or viva).
At the University of Coimbra this is still considered a frightful
ritual, but it turns out it was a really interesting experience.

Don't miss the 360º panorama at the end.
And thank Pedro for the photographic coverage!

Sara Silva


15:01 getting things ready
(and yes, I was nervous)

help me put this on!!!

you like my cape?
(mind it, the costume is mandatory!)

10 euros, please!  :-)
(if only I had charged for all the pictures taken by passing tourists...)

...or begged!

some more pictures while waiting

the big door to the big room
(blame it on the angle...)  ;-)

the juri

Ernesto Costa, the president of the juri

15:30 the opening of the ceremony

presenting my thesis

the examination begins

Wolfgang Banzhaf

Carlos Fonseca

some views of the room

Arlindo Oliveira

Penousal Machado

Francisco Pereira

you stole my questions!

almost done!

17:41 Phinally Done! I passed!!!
summa cum laude! (a.k.a. with flying colors)  :-)

ok people, time for champagne!
(see the cooler on the right?)

no champagne for you, ok?

(this cute girl is Sofia, not my son Daniel - he stayed home with grandma)

have you noticed the sloppy look...?

...and the slightly drunken smile?  :-)

18:23 going home...

...in regular clothes!
(and you'll never see me dressed like that again!)


And now the panorama. If you are using Micro$oft Internet Explorer
you will probably have to click the yellow bar on top of the page and
allow the blocked content to run. Really, there is no risk!

Click n' drag to move around. Use Shift/CTRL to zoom in/out. Enjoy!