Tradition and innovation – Opening of the Academic Year at the University of Debrecen

In the presence of nearly four thousand first-year students, the University of Debrecen held its ceremonial Senate meeting marking the start of the academic year in the Főnix Sports Hall.

President of Hungary Dr. Tamás Sulyok adressed the members of the university community attending the ceremony.

The Head of State emphasized that the unity of tradition and innovation ensures that Hungarian universities not only preserve our values, but are also leading the way in the sciences that are shaping the future.

"Our nation ranks eleventh for Nobel Prize winners per capita, which is not only a source of pride for our past, but also a promise for our future," said the President.

Tamás Sulyok recalled that Debrecen has always held a special place in the history of Hungarian culture, and its university is the pride of all of Hungary, offering education in thirteen faculties - from the humanities to the sciences, from medicine to music.

Referring to the example set by the university's former famous lecturers and professors, the President of Hungary pointed out that the institution's academic staff not only possess extraordinary knowledge, but are also committed members of their communities, working wholeheartedly for their students and the university.

He emphasised that countless students have studied over the decades and centuries in this intellectual atmosphere. Some became professors, others became outstanding physicists, doctors, philosophers, lawyers, and public intellectuals, but all of them shaped the life of their environment, Hungarian culture, and the universal world of science. All of this made the university a stronghold of knowledge and exemplary human values. 

The University of Debrecen is currently experiencing a golden age, with almost fifty thousand students. Its influence reaches beyond the city limits, and its leaders have been able to take advantage of the structural opportunities of the past twenty-five years and further build the university's reputation and network of connections, the Head of State emphasised.

Addressing the students, Tamás Sulyok underlined that a degree from Debrecen is a valuable asset, as in today's rapidly changing world, it is more important than ever to acquire internationally competitive knowledge.

"You will be the first generation to not only be confronted with artificial intelligence but also to apply it extensively in ways that are unimaginable today," Tamás Sulyok said.

In his speech, the President of Hungary addressed students and faculty members from Partium, Transylvania, Transcarpathia, Felvidék and Délvidék, as well as students from more distant parts of the world.

The President wished the emerging professionals: "May you rediscover the beauty and goodness inherent in your profession time and time again."