Make the world better, not just more efficient

“Some of you will go into industry, some into research and some into startups. Wherever you go, you will carry the same responsibility: to build technologies that don’t just optimize efficiency, but expand dignity”, András Nemeslaki, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, told graduates at BME's international graduation ceremony.

142 graduated from 46 countries were listening tot he speech of Professor Nemeslaki, who quoted the ideas of 2024 Nobel Prize laureate Daron Acemoglu from MIT. In his book Power and Progress, the famous economist “makes a surprisingly comforting—and slightly terrifying—point: technology does not automatically make the world better. It just makes the world different. 

Whether it becomes better depends on who designs it, who controls it, and who benefits from it,” 

the Vice-Rector reminded.

He also said that just because something can be automated doesn’t mean it should be, especially if it involves human trust, care, or decision-making. “Here is the final counter intuitive thought for you as proud BME alumni: the future will not be shaped by technology alone, it will be shaped by the values of the people who build it. From today, the young experts who officially certified to design, build, and manage technology based solutions include you as well.”

Next to he Vice-Rector were sitting Anthony Radev, member of the Board of Directors of BME Fenntartó Zrt., Dean Péter Mándoki (Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering), Vice-Deans Nauzika Kovács (Faculty of Civil Engineering), Csaba Hős (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering), Melinda Benkő (Faculty of Architecture), Zsolt Kelemen (Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology), Eszter Gerhátné Udvary (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics), Anna Babarczy (Faculty of Natural Sciences), Sarolta Tóvölgyi (Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences), Anna Györgyi, (member of BME International Mentor Team) and Kitti Varga, (representative of the Students' Union).

Eszter Mozsár, personal secretary to the rector and moderator of the event, briefly introduced Anthony Radev as guest of honour. He used to work for McKinsey & Company for 25 years, and is also a member of the boards of directors at MOL and Wizz Air. Mr Radev gave three pieces of advice to the graduates: 

have clearly defined goals; seek honest feedback from those whose judgment they trust; and find good mentors.

“BME trained you to do something rare: to understand complex problems and build solutions. Beyond a good salary and a rewarding career, your BME degree gives you strong analytical foundations, an international network of like-minded professionals, and membership in an academic legacy that is respected all over the world”, he added.

Anna Györgyi bid farewell to the graduates saying “each of you will take a small but meaningful part of Hungary with you, along with the spirit of the university. It will shape the way you solve problems, and the way you face challenges: with curiosity and determination. 

Wherever life takes you, a piece of this place will quietly travel with you too.”

She also pointed out that there would be moments when the path ahead feels uncertain, when success takes longer than expected, or when they wonder if they chose the right direction. “In those moments, look back and remember this day. Remember that you once stood here, having already achieved something that once felt distant and impossible. Let that memory remind you of your strength”, she encouraged the audience.

Mia Lakic from Bosnia and Herzegovina gave a speech on behalf of the graduates. She said that if anyone had told her when arriving to BME that some of her closest friends would be three Southeast Asian guys, she would’ve laughed. 

“But that’s the magic of this place: engineering doesn’t just teach systems and problem-solving — it connects people. 

From different cultures, accents, and backgrounds, yet we built friendships that feel like home”, she said.

Miss Lakic added that during her time at BME, she watched international students do extraordinary things: win hackathons, build robots, pass exams that felt impossible. “And they did all of it far from home, in a new country, building a life from scratch. That resilience stayed with me. It taught me that doubt doesn’t get you very far, but showing up does, again and again, even when you’re tired, homesick, or unsure.”

The graduates then took over their diplomas one after another and finally threw their mortarboard caps tot he air together.

All the photos of the ceremony can be found here.

Rector’s Office, Communications Directorate