PhD Defense

Today one of my (former) colleagues had her PhD defense. In the Netherlands it's quite a ceremony. Professors enter in their nice robes and start asking (difficult) questions one by one. Candidates address the professors with 'highly esteemed opponent' and answer the question. After 45 minutes time is up; the pedel comes in says 'hora est'. One of the members of the committee was in the middle of his question but that doesn't matter, time is up. The committee (and other professors) leave the room and when they come back the candidate gets her degree.

Today my (former) colleague did very well! Her dissertation was about adult literacy education in Timor-Leste. She talked very vividly about it and was very interesting to listen to. :)