János Latorcai’s speech at the University of Miskolc

Per angusta, ad augusta!

The road to great goals leads through struggles!

I greet Professor Zénó Terplán, one of the greatest professors of the first generation of teachers at the Heavy Industry Technical University, with his favorite Latin speech.

Yes, dear Dean!

The Professor Ladies and Gentlemen!

The Festive Opening Session of the Academic Year and

Welcome to the first-year students!

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!

Professor Zénó Terplán, one of the greatest personalities of the Hungarian technical higher education, more than 75 years ago, together with professors Samu Borbély, Antal Lancsarics, Béla Zorkóczy, Géza Petrich and István Sályi, founded the University’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and they dreamed of it as a center for modern knowledge and industry the training system based on close cooperation and putting innovation at the center, which launched the first generation of mechanical engineers in Miskolc.

I consider myself lucky and proud that I could learn professional sophistication,
technical culture and humanity from these great professors.

The foundations laid by the first instructors of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering have proven to be timeless. The importance of continuous renewal and close cooperation with industry was also considered essential by the following generations of educators. Today, under the leadership of Dean Zoltán Siménfalvai, the Faculty is working to produce mechanical engineers and computer scientists who are able to cope with the biggest challenges we face.

Looking at the development of the world, it can be said that there are fewer and fewer scientific fields that do not require the professional support of the technical intelligentsia. Medical research, drug trials or even the examination of the human psyche are all unimaginable without the knowledge that can be obtained in technical higher education, just as putting the energy policy of the period ahead on a new basis and the sure management of the effects associated with the great breakthrough in infor
mation technology cannot do without engineering knowledge.

Nowadays, however, the use of artificial intelligence and the practical and moral problems related to it are particularly emphasized, for which the development of appropriate answers falls on you, the students who are just starting their studies, which requires extraordinary responsibility.

The XX. According to one of the outstanding mechanical engineers of the 20th century, professor and minister Hermann Miksa, “it is not so true in any profession other than ours that mistakes and lies are punished. An engineer who ignores the theoretical truth of the theory of the strength of materials is struck by his own negligence before he has even completed the transgression”.

It also follows that the engineering profession can only be guided by professional realism. At the same time, the limits of this must be constantly pushed. Without this, without the research passion that pushes the physical boundaries, the development of the world would come to a stand
still. At the same time, we must never forget that research and development do not only improve our individual prospects, but must serve the benefit of society as a whole.

The engineer of the future will therefore have increased social responsibility. “For the responsible practice of the engineering profession, in addition to thorough technical knowledge, a broad perspective, strength of character coupled with moral values ??and a sense of responsibility are needed “, as Professor Géza Ábrahám Pattantyús so wisely put it nearly 80 years ago.

Dear First Year Students!

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Informatics of the University of Miskolc provides everything for them to acquire thorough professional knowledge and a broad perspective.

I wish that Alma Mater can always set an example for you! Fill their spirits and outline distant horizons, but at the same time be a hold on and a root, a place that enriches you not only with professional knowledge, but also with true, sincere friendships typical o
f the university years.

Be respectful to your teachers and each other, and humble to your own work.

Believe in yourself, so you can maintain your determination despite possible failures, which is essential for achieving the desired goal.

Get to know all the traditions of our University, nurture and develop them, and as the generations before you did, they will pass it on to those who follow you.

With these thoughts, I greet the Festive Opening of the Academic Year and wish all students good luck, but especially for the young people who are about to enter the gates of the University!

Thank you for your respectful attention!

Source: KDNP