On 18 June we celebrated the recent graduates of the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme at a prestigious farewell event. The ceremony organized at Park Inn By Radisson Hotel Budapest was attended by more than 150 guests, including ambassadors, graduating scholarship holders and the volunteers of Alumni Network Hungary.
Saying goodbye to the graduating scholarship holders and welcoming them amongst our alumni is always a special occasion. Especially now, that we are closing the celebration of the first ten years of Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme. These were the main ideas that inspired the concept of the Farewell 2024.
To frame the past ten years and celebrate this anniversary, we have invited graduates from 17 countries and 3 categories: students from the very first partner countries, first graduating students from the newest partner countries and students from the top countries with the highest number of graduates.
The event was opened with the welcoming words of Miklós Lengyel, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He greeted the graduates and wished them success and joy in their future careers. After his speech, Richárd Bodrogi, General Director of Tempus Public Foundation expressed the importance of joining Alumni Network Hungary and staying connected.
To reaffirm his message, the students listened to the video messages of H.E. Zoltán Németh, Ambassador of Hungary responsible for Belize and Costa Rica, H.E. Edit Bucsi-Szabó, Ambassador of Hungary in Chile, H.E. Zsófia Antal, Head of Office in Rwanda and H.E. Barnabás Fodor, Ambassador of Hungary in Oman. They both prepared short video messages to celebrate the graduates’ achievements and welcome them back home.
Then, Nour Al Wattar, graduating Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Holder of Corvinus University of Budapest greeted the graduates. In a very personal speech, she shared her story about finding the light when she got accepted and started her studies in Hungary with Stipendium Hungaricum.
After the plenary session, the guests had the chance to meet the International Alumni Volunteers who are active members of Alumni Network Hungary. The volunteers hold thought provoking presentations about their volunteering activities, which include creating content to promote the network and facilitating the development of self-organizing local alumni networks, the so-called chapters. They encouraged the graduates to join the network, inspire others to apply, and grow even further than they thought they ever will. Read their messages below:
Elijah Fagbemi - Nigeria-Hungary Alumni Association
Firstly, I extend my congratulations to the 2024 SH graduates on completing this phase, it is no small feat. The SH farewell was a great opportunity to highlight the importance of the Alumni Network Hungary and its chapters at different phases of your journey. The next phase you are about to enter requires a lot of support and networking in which the Alumni Network Hungary can help. I encourage you to join the network as this will benefit your career development.
Ayaz Mukarram Shaikh, Indo-Hungarian Alumni Association
Congratulations on your remarkable achievement! It has been an honour to witness your journey and to contribute to the celebration of your success. Your hard work, dedication, and resilience have truly paid off, and I am confident that you are all destined for even greater accomplishments in the future. As you step into this new chapter of your lives, remember to carry forward the friendships, knowledge, and experiences you have gained during your time with us. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and hope you continue to strive for excellence.
Husam Rajab – Palestine Chapter
My advice to the new SH alumni members would be to update themselves constantly with practical knowledge . To this, I encourage you as learners to be updated on various trends and developments that occur within and outside your organization, pursue certifications and training, and, when possible, participate in conferences and workshops. Furthermore, through lifelong learning, there is a development of the already existing expertise together with the characteristic flexibility handled in the modern business environment.
Gunay Baymarova – Azerbaijan Hungary Alumni Union
Studying abroad is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about embracing new cultures, overcoming challenges, and forming lifelong connections. When I first arrived in Hungary, I was filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Leaving behind my family, my familiar surroundings, and everything I had ever known was not an easy decision. However, I soon realized that I had found a second home. As we prepare to embark on the next chapter of our lives, let us carry forward the values of compassion, resilience, and excellence that we have cultivated during our time in Hungary. Let us be ambassadors of change, leaders in our respective fields, and champions of unity and understanding.
Rodgers Onyango – Alumni Hungary Kenya Chapter
The Stipendium Hungaricum graduation farewell party was a touching and vibrant celebration of diverse cultures and achievements. Held in a grand hall adorned with flags and decorations representing various countries, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and nostalgia. As you step into this new chapter, remember to carry forward the lessons and friendships you've gained along the way in Hungary. Embrace the challenges ahead with confidence and continue to pursue your dreams with passion and determination. May your future be filled with success, joy, and endless possibilities.
To see more pictures about the event click HERE!