207 students from 48 countries received their diplomas at the BME graduation ceremony

The graduates received their BME diplomas at the international graduation ceremony held in the aula of the BME Central Building on 21 July 2023.

Several ambassadors of the countries of these graduates also attended the ceremony, streamed online. 207 student received their diplomas, 37 of them with distinction. These graduates came from 48 countries to BME, from Azerbaijan, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Jordan in the greatest numbers, and students even from Malaysia, Ecuador and Saudi-Arabia were among the graduates of the spring term.

In her opening address, Emília Csiszár Koczkáné, BME’s vice-rector for international affairs, emphasized: “the BME management is committed to increase the number of students at the BME courses in English. At the moment, 14% of our students have enrolled to one of our courses in English.” When mentioning the responsibility and tasks awaiting the graduates, she added “our learning is growing at an unprecedented pace with new technologies appearing overnight. Your contribution to science and the development of your field is more important than ever. So I’m asking you to be both brave and humble enough to build the future of mankind on the fundamentals you have acquired here.” The Vice-Rector for international affairs of BME finally asked the graduates to become the BME’s ambassadors and further the university’s reputation in their home countries and everywhere else on the globe.

Dr. István Szászi, executive director of the Bosch Group in Hungary and in the Adriatic region spoke as a honorary guest of the alumni. István Szászi graduated from the BME Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering. In his speech he recalled his university years and the start of is career at the Bosch Development Centre in Budapest, explaining why he chose this company. “I know that it’s almost unthinkable today to plan a career for 20 or even 30 years. But there are two lessons from my story that I’d like to share with you. Two buzzwords: ecosystem and resilience. These two concepts are both key in individual and corporate success. In my opinion not only today but certainly in the coming decades as well. The most successful will be those who understand the power of the ecosystem and the potential of the failure. And those who can embrace the diversity of thought that comes from working with people from different backgrounds and cultures. The big problems that mankind is facing today are essentially engineering problems,” he added. “Whether it’s about climate change, mobility or the challenges of artificial intelligence. Politicians and thinkers might define the scope of the task, but it’s up to us, engineers to deliver the solutions. You are the architects of progress, the pioneers of innovation and the ambassadors of change. Be brave, be bold and above all, be a driving force for a better world,” István Szászi concluded his welcome speech.

Levente Nagy, representative of the Student Union of the University in charge of international and Erasmus affairs emphasized in his speech: “Keep in touch with each other and never forget the beautiful times that you spent together. Your road will take you to different places, but you will always be part of the BME community.”

Brenda Muthuli Muwanwa, student of the BME Faculty of Civil Engineering addressed the audience on behalf of the graduating students, saying “the bonds we have formed here will endure the test of time. As we venture into the wider world, let us remember the lessons we have learnt among these walls. Let us embrace the values of integrity, compassion, resilience and perseverance that have been instilled in us. Though we may part ways physically, the excellent spirit of BME will forever be ingrained in our identities. Today I am reminded of the words of my late South African president, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.”

The ceremony was concluded with the Hungarian national anthem.

Our congratulations to the graduates of the English-speaking programmes of BME, wishing them all the success in their careers!

Rector’s Cabinet Communications Directorate

Photos: B. Geberle, Viktor Kiss