Semmelweis University held its official Opening Ceremony on 5 September 2010 at the Budapest Congress and World Trade Center. Presided over by Rector Tivadar Tulassay, the ceremony was a fitting start to the 241st academic year of this prestigious institution.
The University was honoured by the presence of numerous eminent guests, including foreign diplomats accredited to Budapest, politicians and university rectors. 1588 freshmen – 637 of these international – were also in attendance, filling the venue to near-capacity.
Co-hosts Bianca Croy, a second-year dentistry student, and András Pétsch from the Directorate of International Relations, reflected the trilingual nature of the University, leading the program in Hungarian, German and English.
Following the Rector’s opening remarks, Miklós Réthelyi, Minister of National Resources and former rector of Semmelweis University, and József Pálinkás, President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, delivered highly pertinent speeches in honour of the occasion. The Foreign Students’ Secretariat greeted the University’s new international students, with Director Márk Kollai welcoming the students of the English Language Programme, while Magdolna Fonyó, Head of the Secretariat, welcomed those studying in German.
Next, all freshmen students took the solemn oath in their chosen language of instruction. Three representatives from each group took the stage in turn to recite the oath, while the rest of the students followed along from their seats.
An energetic performance by Hungarian folk singer Szilvia Bognár brought an exciting and memorable end to the programme.
(Translated by Gina Gönczi)
