The day stood out as a meaningful occasion for the entire university community to come together in celebration. In his address, Csaba Kovács spoke of the importance of pausing to mark such moments, as fully embracing them supports both personal wellbeing and the sense of cohesion within a community or institution. He also underlined that earning a doctoral degree is not only a personal achievement but an essential contribution to academic life and university culture, playing a key role in upholding and sustaining quality within both. 

“Gaining a doctoral degree is a defining moment in the career of a creative, research-oriented individual – an important step toward a life of meaningful academic and professional work. In the context of higher education, such milestones continue to serve as markers of quality and are closely tied to the European academic tradition and a commitment to structured free thinking. Those who commit to this path, and to the long journey it entails, also commit to the gradual, demanding process of building knowledge and experience step by step. In doing so, they take an active role in university life – one that helps sustain the high standards of academic thought and the European university model,” he said, thanking those who earned their doctoral degrees for their efforts.  

In his ceremonial address, Ábel Szalontai offered a reflective perspective, noting that recognition is not an end to itself, but a natural reflection of internal growth. “A doctoral degree isn’t a prize – it’s a threshold. Not a victory, but the beginning of something new and important. Another test of how one shows up, with dignity and openness. And not for one’s own sake, but so that others may be uplifted through it,” he said. 

Erzsébet Nagy, who received her honorary master instructor certificate at the event, was commended in a tribute by head of programme and fellow master instructor Ildikó Kele. She praised Nagy for having been a defining figure of the Fashion and Textile Design programme and the TechPark knitting workshop for over two decades. 

“Zsóka – as she is affectionately known – has exceptional expertise in shaping, cutting and sewing knitted textiles. She shares this expertise not just as abstract theory, but as hands-on, working knowledge – whether it’s about machine techniques, handcraft, or manual methods. Her professional contribution and personal presence are both unique and irreplaceable within the life of our university. At the heart of her teaching is the growth of her students – she doesn’t just instruct, she listens, supports and guides,” said Ildikó Kele.