The Semmelweis University’s Alumni Directorate organized an alumni meeting In Nicosia at the beginning of October, this time with the cooperation of the Embassy of Hungary in Nicosia and the University of Cyprus. The participants also had the opportunity to see Lajos Koltai’s Semmelweis, which Hungary nominated for an Oscar in the international film category.
On the 2nd of October 2024, the Rector of Semmelweis University, Professor Bela Merkely, visited Cyprus with his delegation including alumni director Dr. Tamás Hegedüs and director general Dóra Szepesi – by official invitation of the Embassy of Hungary in Nicosia.
The Ambassador of Hungary, Dr. Kristina Lakos, and Rector, Prof. Dr. Bela Merkely delivered the opening speeches and Professor Tasos Christophi’s (Rector of the University of Cyprus) also addressed the Semmelweis University Alumni. The event was organised under the auspices of the Embassy of Hungary in Nicosia, Semmelweis University, and the University of Cyprus.
At the ceremony Dr. Katalin Eszter Balika, alumni student of Semmelweis University, gave a speech which can be read in its entirety here.
A special feature was the premiere of the Semmelweis movie, commemorating the life of this extraordinary Doctor and ‘Saviour of mothers’, a Hungarian physician and scientist who was an early pioneer of antiseptic procedures. Semmelweis discovered that the incidence of often fatal bacterial infection following childbirth could be drastically reduced if healthcare workers in obstetrics disinfect their hands.
Semmelweis University in Budapest, adopted his name after it was established in 1767 by Empress Maria Theresa. It has since gone from strength to strength.
The film was followed by an open discussion, networking and tasting of Hungarian wines.
Special thanks to the Embassy of Hungary in Nicosia and the University of Cyprus for the organisation!
The event is even more significant in light of the presidency of the European Union taken over by Hungary as of July 2024 and a huge drive with the Times Higher Education to establish Semmelweis University in the top 100 Universities in the world.
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Photos by: University of Cyprus