Eötvös Loránd University welcomed its international students in the framework of the opening ceremony of the 392nd academic year with greeting speeches, lectures, a folk dance show, and an information market.

ELTE held the international opening ceremony for its 392nd academic year in the presence of the university leadership, more than twenty ambassadors and diplomats, and several hundred international students. The university offers more than 100 programs in foreign languages for international students, and currently, around 5,300 students from 120 countries are studying at the institution.

Gábor Zemplén, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, emphasized in his speech that the members of the ELTE community—students and educators—have written the university's history across generations, centuries, political systems, revolutions, wars, dictatorship, and democracy, always upholding the values of academic freedom, critical thinking, and integrity.

According to the Vice-Rector, international students join this community at a moment when the world is facing an uncertain future, complex technological, social, environmental, and human challenges; and as members of the young generation and citizens of ELTE, they have a lifelong opportunity to help find suitable answers to these challenges. "We can't promise that the path will be easy, but we can promise it will be worth it," said Gábor Zemplén.

The Vice-Rector also recommended to the students the ELTE’s September 17 event, where, as part of the Krasznahorkai Year, excerpts from the Nobel Prize-winning author’s novel Sátántangó will be read in nearly thirty languages taught at the Faculty of Humanities.

Jeroen Vergeylen, Belgium’s Ambassador to Budapest, also highlighted in his speech the role of language teaching as cultural bridge-building and emphasized that ELTE is one of Hungary’s most prestigious higher education institutions; a point of reference guaranteeing quality education not only in Belgium but also in Europe and beyond. According to the diplomat, the history of Belgium, its linguistic and cultural diversity, proves that diversity does present challenges, but with the right approach, these challenges can be transformed into strength, resilience, creativity, and economic progress. The ambassador welcomed the fact that, following ELTE, other Hungarian universities will soon be able to participate again in the Erasmus and Horizon programs.

At the ceremony, the newly admitted international students were welcomed by Raudha Riyaz, student of the Sociology Doctoral School at ELTE's Faculty of Social Sciences, who arrived in Hungary under the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme; Dávid Karczag, President of the ELTE Erasmus Student Network; Nino Khomasuridze, on behalf of the Stipendium Hungaricum Mentor Network; Réka Boros, Vice President for Foreign Affairs from the ELTE Student Union; Salem Abohajar from the International Student Advisory Committee; and András Gombás, president of the ELTE Doctoral Student Union. In their presentations, they supported the newcomers with personal experiences and practical advice on integration and university administration.

The opening program concluded with a performance of traditional Hungarian folk dances by the ELTE Eötvös Art Ensemble. The event was moderated by Gábor Feltóti, International Coordinator of the Department of Erasmus+ and International Programmes.

After the official program, students could meet in person the student and university organizations helping them and learn about ELTE’s dormitory and sports opportunities at the information market held in the aula.

Recognitions at the International Opening Ceremony

At the ceremony, ELTE’s recognitions were presented to staff members who have demonstrated outstanding performance in their work related to international students.

Awardees in 2026:

• Best Erasmus Coordinator: Zsófia Őriné-Dányi, department administrator at the Institute for the Theory of Art and Media Studies, ELTE Faculty of Humanities.

• Best Faculty Erasmus+ BIP Coordinator: Zsófia Werner, coordinator of foreign language partial trainings and Erasmus+ BIP programs at ELTE Faculty of Law

• Best Faculty Coordinator (incoming mobility): Ákos Udovecz, head of ELTE Faculty of Law's International Relations Office, coordinator in charge of incoming Erasmus+ students, teachers, and staff

• Best Faculty Coordinator (outgoing mobility): Brigitta Dalnoki, ELTE Faculty of Law's International Relations Office, coordinator in charge of outgoing Erasmus+ students, teachers, and staff

• Best Academic Coordinator (non-European partnerships): Orsolya Endrődy-Nagy, assistant professor at ELTE's Faculty of Education and Psychology, instructor at the Institute of Intercultural Psychology and Education