European university tradition was started by the first universities in Bologna, Paris, Oxford and dates back in the Medieval times. The exchange of students, their academic travel (such as these under Erasmus) made it possible to establish common rituals.
The initiation of the first-year students, promotions, awarding of the honorary title doctor honoris causa, celebrations of the Patron's Day, and others are an example of these common rituals. However, each one of them is virtually unique for the given university and mirrors the culture of the country.