In the presence of ELTE's leaders, international students, and diplomats from nearly 30 countries, the International Opening Ceremony of the 2025/26 academic year was held.

"Germany, the guest of honor at the event, plays a particularly important role in ELTE’s international scientific and cultural relations. At the university, we are working to further strengthen and continually enrich this network," said Lénárd Darázs in his welcome address. According to the rector, areas such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and the development of students' competences define the competitiveness of modern universities—and Eötvös Loránd University places special emphasis on these activities.

The University offers a wide range of support and advisory services to its more than 5,000 international students, operates an extensive mentor network, and contributes with community-building and sports programs so that international students may truly feel at home as part of an open and diverse community at the university.

The scientific relationship between Hungary and Germany dates back to the 14th century. Even today, about three thousand Hungarian students choose Germany each year as the location for their higher education, just as Loránd Eötvös once did—graduating summa cum laude at Heidelberg University—recalled Christiana Markert, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Hungary, in her speech. She also cited the example of Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz, who currently works as the director of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics near Munich.

According to the diplomat, the 3,400 German students studying at Hungarian universities; the joint law program between ELTE’s Faculty of Law and the University of Göttingen; the outstanding work of the Institute of German Studies at ELTE’s Faculty of Humanities; collaborations with Humboldt University, Hamburg University, and Heidelberg University; as well as participation in the CHARM-EU network all contribute to strong scientific and cultural relations.

ELTE students become part of a tradition spanning centuries, political systems, and various transformations of the human spirit—a community sustained by faith in the transmission of knowledge, which persisted through wars, revolutions, and the rise and fall of empires—said Gábor Zemplén in his address. The vice-rector for international affairs noted that in autumn 2025, more than 13,000 students will begin their studies at ELTE—more than the university’s total student body in its first 150 years combined. Today’s students must thrive in a more complex, uncertain, and challenging world than ever before. Technological, social, environmental, or personal challenges require not just knowledge, but wisdom, adaptability, and moral awareness—and in this, every student can count on the university’s support, he concluded.

Salem Wael Abohajar, bachelor's student of international business at ELTE’s Faculty of Economics and a member of ISAC, recalled in his personal speech that his father also graduated from ELTE twenty years ago. Although at that time there were only four international students at the Faculty of Informatics, when they faced challenges, they could always count on the support of the university community, he said.

At the ceremony, ELTE’s ERASMUS coordinator awards were presented to staff members who excelled in the past academic year. Honorees included Gábor Szalkai, habilitated associate professor at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences; Ákos Udovecz, head of the Faculty of Law’s International Office; Brigitta Dalnoki, ERASMUS+ coordinator at the Faculty of Law; and Lilla Gilián, coordinator at the Faculty of Humanities’ International Office.

ELTE’s international freshmen were also welcomed by staff from the student support organizations. Representatives of the Erasmus Student Network, ELTE’s Student Union, the International Student Advisory Committee (ISAC), and the Stipendium Hungaricum mentor network spoke about their mission, main tasks, and community programs. After the ceremony, at the information fair stands, international students could learn more about the sports, community, and leisure programs outlined in the speeches, ELTE’s dormitories, and the language learning opportunities.

The festive program featured performances by harpist Klára Bábel and the folk dance group of the ELTE Eötvös Arts Ensemble, with Gábor Feltóti as moderator of the event.