The ceremony opened with the diploma ceremony of 18 IPCVai students, who completed a demanding two-year journey across three partner institutions - Pázmány Péter Catholic University, the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and the Université de Bordeaux. Representing the three universities, Professor Fabien Baldacci (Bordeaux), Professor Jesús Bescós Cano (Madrid), and Professor Kristóf Karacs (Pázmány ITK) each addressed the graduates, reflecting on their achievements and the path ahead.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Arathy Jeevan, a graduate from India, looked back on a journey spanning three cities and one shared story, noting that "two years ago, we couldn't see how all these dots would connect. Today, we can. […] we are capable of more than we sometimes think." The graduates then took the Engineers' Oath, committing to uphold the principles of science and ethics throughout their careers. Five students received their diplomas with honours in recognition of outstanding academic performance.
The second half of the ceremony welcomed a new cohort of international students joining PPKE ITK's Master's programmes this autumn — with their arrival, the Faculty's student body now represents 46 countries in total, across all seven Master's programmes. As every Master's programme at PPKE ITK is taught entirely in English, the Faculty continues to attract talent from around the world, with international students studying side by side with their Hungarian peers — an approach that makes for genuine, everyday integration from day one.
Reverend Dr Krisztián Vincze, Vice-Rector for Foreign Affairs and Scientific Management, greeted the incoming students before they took the University Citizens' Oath, pledging to uphold the values and standards of Pázmány Péter Catholic University throughout their studies. Closing the ceremony, Professor István Reguly, Vice Dean for International Affairs, addressed both graduates and newcomers alike, encouraging them to look beyond convention and "find solutions to problems that create lasting and genuine value." He added: "I truly believe that this wonderful diversity of people, life experiences, and ambitions can serve as rich, fertile ground for great ideas and projects that we can all be incredibly proud of."
With graduates stepping into new careers and research paths, and a new generation of international students beginning their studies at PPKE ITK, the ceremony was a fitting reminder of what makes our Faculty community distinctive: a shared commitment to excellence across borders.
Welcome Speech | István Reguly
Farewell Speech | Arathy Jeevan
