Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, has received the Doctor Honoris Causa Award from Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad (UVVG). The rector was given the award in the framework of a ceremony organized during the Scientific Days of the University of Arad.

The Doctor Honoris Causa ceremony, taking place at the Arad State Philharmonic, was attended by the city’s leadership, the Rector of the State University of Arad, as well as Marius-Gabriel Lazurca, Ambassador of Romania to Budapest. Semmelweis University was represented by Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector, Dr. Annamária Kosztin, cardiologist, and Dr. Marcel Pop, Director of International Relations.

After the laudation, Dr. Béla Merkely gave a brief presentation on the history of the cooperation that has been in existence for more than ten years. He also said that one of the top priorities of Semmelweis University, which celebrates its 250th anniversary of this year, is to become one of the world’s top 100 universities, and referred to the university’s openness to cross-border cooperation to contribute to the development of the region’s educational, science and innovation potential. Subsequently, the rector held his professional presentation on cardiac resynchronization therapy.

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During the two-day visit, in addition to attending the ceremony, Rector Merkely continued the negotiations with the leaders of the city and UVVG started in Budapest, aimed at further developing the relationship between the two universities and discussing the feasibility of implementing a cardiology project with the collaboration of the city of Arad and Vasile Goldis University.

Rector of the University of Arad, Dr. Coralia Cotoraci, emphasized in her laudation that, despite his educational-research and university leadership roles, Rector Merkely has remained the same clinician who saves hundreds of lives every year and improves his patients’ quality of life. She also stressed that Vasile Goldis University hopes to continue to play a role on the same stage where Rector Merkely and Semmelweis University play a leading role in the development of biomedical higher education and health care in Central-Eastern Europe.

Diána Módos
Photo: Directorate of International Relations