BME celebrates its nearly 200 international graduates

192 students from 48 countries received their degrees from BME's foreign language programme in the auditorium of the university's K building, 35 of them with excellence. The ambassadors of some of the countries concerned were also present at the ceremony.

Representing BME, Rector Hassan Charaf, Vice Rector for International Affairs András Nemeslaki, Vice Dean Nauzika Kovács (Faculty of Civil Engineering), Dean Imre Norbert Orbulov (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering), Dean György Alföldi (Faculty of Architecture), Vice Dean Alfréd Kállay-Menyhárd (Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology), Dean Sándor Imre (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics), Dean Péter Mándoki (Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering), Dean Attila Aszódi (Faculty of Natural Sciences), Dean Tamás Koltai (Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences), as well as Zsuzsanna Szabados, member of the BME International Mentor Team, and Kitti Varga, representative of the Students' Union, were present.

András Nemeslaki greeted the international students, all dressed in gown, and reminded them that this heavy attire has its origins in middle-age Italy, the cradle of European higher education: it was a religous symbol and also a practical attire to keep scholars and students warm in the cold cloister-like hallways and chambers of universties.

"Today the gown reminds us of where we’ve come from. It ties us to a long, scholarly tradition. It says: You are now part of something bigger than yourself — a legacy of learning, discipline, and pursuit of truth", said Mr Nemeslaki. He added that 

the gown hides distinctions, but not to make us forget who we are, but to draw our attention to education being the great equalizer.

So what is the message of Building K, the academic gown, the mortarboard and the tassle? It’s this: You belong to a tradition from now on, but you are also a builder of what comes next. You are ready not just to receive knowledge, but to carry it forward. To build, to teach, to question, to lead."

The Vice-Rector encouraged the graduates to carry the spirit of BME with themselves, be curious, collaborative, and bold, because "the world needs engineers, scientists, managers, financial experts, who can not only solve problems but also envision new possibilities."

The moderator, Eszter Mozsár, personal assistant to the rector, invited the guest of honor, the rector of BME himself, to give his speech. She introduced Hassan Charaf by saying that his journey from Lebanon was an excellent example of how international students with a BME degree can build a successful career in Hungary and of the value of the knowledge acquired here.

The rector addressed the graduates saying that they were now joining the community of the BME alumni, of which he was a proud member – and which had given the world four Nobel Prize winners. "The knowledge and skills you have acquired here will give you an excellent foundation for your future professional career," he said. He reminded the new graduates that their degrees will serve as an excellent recommendation for them, regardless of whether they plan to pursue an academic career or continue their path as engineers.

Hassan Charaf recalled when he had arrived in Hungary 39 years ago, in a world completely unknown to him, without his lost suitcase. "Despite the adventurous start, I never forgot why I came: to study, to make friends, to experience a different culture, and to obtain a degree in engineering. [...] Now, as the rector of BME, I am responsible for the education of more than 20,000 students," he said.

He also mentioned that the past academic year was a special and important milestone in the life of BME, as the university has transformed its operational framework, moving from an outdated model to a more sustainable one. 

"In addition, we have pledged to increase our international community, and we hope to welcome more international students to BME in September than ever before."

Hassan Charaf finally asked the graduates to be ambassadors for the university, to maintain their interest in new technologies, and not to shy away from challenges. Then, addressing the North African and Middle Eastern graduates and their families, he spoke to them in his native language, Arabic.

Later on, the graduates received their diplomas one by one from the dean of their respective faculties and celebrated their achievement of the requirements of the best Hungarian university by tossing their mortarboards (also of medieval origins) into the air.

Their fellow students bid them farewell with two short speeches. Zsuzsanna Szabados from the mentor team recalled that they had met them as nervous freshmen, but after having shared so many experiences, were saying goodbye as friends. Before leaving the stage, Ms Szabados, also a graduate, received an award from Mr Nemeslaki for her dedicated service for the international students.

Kitti Varga, on behalf of the University Student Council, thanked the graduates for "contributing to what makes BME such a special place". She advised them to remain curious and bold, and not to be afraid of making mistakes.

On behalf of the graduates, Elsada Neziri, a graduate of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, said goodbye and thanked the teachers and mentors at BME. "These years we spent in Budapest have shaped us in many ways. This city and this university have witnessed our growth, our late-night study sessions, our quiet doubts, and our loudest laughter. It has given us more than an education; both resilience and a sense of belonging."

Rector’s Office, Communications Directorate