They came from far and wide, studied at BME, and will remain students forever

“Don’t forget that at BME, amongst other things, you have learnt how to operate in a world currently being transformed by technological progress,” – said András Nemeslaki, Vice-Rector for International Affairs to the students who graduated from BME’s foreign-language programmes in the 2025/26 academic year at the international graduation ceremony.

The Vice-Rector drew a parallel with this summer’s World Cup, noting that football was once really just a game in which consistency – at least in the eyes of the public – was provided by referees making poor decisions. Today, however, at the highest level, goal-line technology, video replays and offside detection systems support the referee; indeed, even the balls themselves contain touch-sensitive chips. And it is sensors, heat maps – in other words, the vast amounts of data processed by algorithms – that help to interpret what is happening.

“Technology can make the game fairer, but in doing so it changes its rhythm, the players’ attitudes, the spectators’ expectations and even the economy of the sport. […] An important lesson is that technical tools can assist us, but they cannot replace or responsibility. 

There is a crucial distinction between using technology and being used by technology,” 

continued Mr Nemeslaki, reminding his audience that the best teams are made up of people who make each other better.

In the ceremony, the faculties were represented by 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), Ádám Török (Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering), István Prok (Faculty of Natural Sciences), and Sarolta Tóvölgyi (Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences).

The guest of honour was Gergő Máté Kovács, Deputy Director and Cultural Attaché of the Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center in Istanbul, BME Alumnus from the Faculty of Architecture. He started his speech with ensuring everyone that those who study within the walls of the BME remain students forever. In a sense that they retain their curiosity and drive for continuous renewal and improvement, which are key to a successful life.

“Anyone who enters here becomes a member of a special club – or rather, a hub – that can accompany you throughout your life. The degree you have earned here is an excellent opportunity, but also a great responsibility. [...] However far afield you may be, please remember your Alma Mater, seek out the company of your former teachers and your fellow students, and, as far as you are able, help ensure that future generations of students can also experience the benefits of this outstanding community and the sense of belonging it offers”, he urged the international students from 55 countries.

Finally, Gergő Máté Kovács urged them all to hold on to the curiosity that had brought them here, and the perseverance that has enabled them to celebrate as proud BME graduates. “However, do not forget that truly good work and truly ingenious technical solutions can never be achieved without style, a good sense of humour, and cheerfulness, as the examples of the Rubik’s Cube and the Gömböc show. 

Precision and playfulness, accuracy, humility towards the profession, reliability, yet at the same time a sense of freedom – all these must always go hand in hand.”

„Beyond the academic pressure and the endless queues for official paperwork, you have endured. You are leaving here with more than just a degree; you are walking away with a set of skills that will never appear on your transcripts. You have gained resilience, the patience to navigate the unexpected, and the ability to solve problems on your own in a place that once felt entirely foreign. Most importantly, you have learned to build a home far away from home, turning a group of strangers into a community of friends”, Attila Baumann, a member of the BME International Mentor Team, bid farewell to the graduates with these words.

He called it an honour having been part of the International Mentor Team of BME for nine semesters. “I have watched many of you arrive with heavy suitcases and even heavier uncertainty. I’ve seen you through the process of getting settled—from doctor’s appointments to housing hurdles—and I have had the privilege of meeting so many of you at our events. Getting to know many of you personally has been the highlight of my time here”, he said.

Mr Baumann asked the graduates that as they leave the iconic building and head to all corners of the globe, remember: the world outside will often be just as unpredictable as thir time here used to be. “But you have already navigated the unknown. You have lived in a foreign country, adapted to a new culture, and built something meaningful far from home. 

You have already done the hard part. 

Carry that perseverance and openness with you. Stay as bold and motivated as you were when you first walked onto this campus.”

In the name of the graduates, Anousa Symoukda, a graduate from Laos (Master Programme in Mechanical Engineering Modelling, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering) gave a speech. “Maybe we did not always feel confident. Maybe we did not always have everything under control. But we kept showing up. We attended one more class, finished one more assignment, prepared for one more exam, wrote one more page, and took one more step forward. That is what makes this day meaningful. 

We are not here only because we succeeded when it was easy. We are here because we continued when it was difficult”, 

he recalled.

Mr Symoukda pointed out that BME has given them more than just academic knowledge. “It has challenged us to grow as engineers, researchers, professionals, and human beings. It taught us discipline, patience, problem-solving, and resilience. It also reminded us that achievement is not always loud. Sometimes, achievement is simply surviving a hard week, asking for help, trying again after failure, or believing in yourself a little longer”, he said, , thanking the lecturers, supervisors and mentors for the challenge and the support.

The ceremony’s presenter, Eszter Mozsár, the Rector’s personal secretary, then called the 220 graduates up onto the stage one by one, where they received their diplomas.

At the end of the ceremony, Professor Nemeslaki addressed the audience once more, urging everyone to join the alumni community. After that, all that was left was throwing the mortar boards tot he air:

Finally, a get-together reception awaited the new graduates in the ceremonial hall.

Rector’s Office, Communications Directorate