International graduation ceremonies are always special events in the life of ELTE GTK. It is on these occasions that family members and relatives from all corners of the world gather together to celebrate the achievement of the newest graduates together with GTK staff and teachers. While students speaking diverse languages among themselves is not a rare phenomenon on campus, during the graduation event, diversity is always even more noticeable: some participants wear traditional costumes typical of their culture, families and friends extend good wishes in Japanese, Arabic, Vietnamese, and other languages, and we can even taste savoury and sweet bites from the graduates’ home countries.

On 26 January 2026, the Faculty was proud to hold its fourth international graduation ceremony. Nearly one hundred people gathered in R Aula for the event. Graduates and guests were welcomed by Dr László Szívós, Director of International Affairs and Programmes. Professor Gábor Zemplén, ELTE’s Vice-Rector for International Affairs and formerly Vice-Dean for International Affairs of ELTE GTK, bid farewell to the students on behalf of the institution. He remembered the admissions interviews which he also conducted for the new graduates and expressed his delight in the noticeable positive changes that had taken place in them over the past few years.

I am pleased to see that you have become responsible young adults during your years at ELTE GTK. I would like to say goodbye to you now by encouraging you to contact us at the Faculty of Economics, from wherever you may be in the world, if you ever need advice in your professional life.

Professor Zemplén’s address was followed by a speech delivered by Réka Boros, Vice-President for Foreign Affairs of the ELTE ‘s Student Union and a GTK student herself. Rita Albittar from Syria, President of ELTE's International Student Advisory Committee and representing the next generation of international students, spoke about the positive impression the new graduates left on the Faculty and the younger students. 

Next came the most awaited moment of the ceremony when Dr László Szívós, together with Professor Gábor Zemplén, presented the graduates with their diploma. Every graduate was enthusiastically cheered by their relatives and friends, and their smiles could not have been broader. 

With their degrees and a small gift from the Faculty in their hands, the new graduates listened to the farewell speech of their group’s representative, Hagar Sabek Walid from Egypt. She bid farewell to the Faculty on behalf of her friends and expressed their special thanks to the International Office team for their support over the past years. She summarised her feelings like this,   

I considered the Office my second home, I will miss working here and making my fellow students’ life a little easier.

Concluding the speeches, three former students, Le Ha Anh from Vietnam, Maria Al Akroush from Jordan, and Pristine Fujimaki from Japan remembered happy and anxious moments during their time at ELTE and in Budapest. They all referred to that fact that, as international students, in addition to their studies, they all had to face the challenges posed by living in a new country, understanding and, even to some extent, learning a new language and a different culture, and how they all helped one another in the most demanding times during their studies. 

On behalf of ELTE GTKs community, we warmly congratulate our recent graduates not only on successfully earning their degrees, but also on performing magnificently in circumstances full of unexpected challenges. May your hard work lead to continued success, new achievements, and well-deserved results!

Enjoy our collection of the best photos taken during the ceremony and the reception. Watch also the video to remember the best moments of this memorable and joyful celebration.