Zrínyi graduates received their diplomas

Defence Minister Dr. Csaba Hende said at the graduation ceremony: "What education does is not filling of empty buckets, but lighting a fire." He said what the students have mastered at the public service university is not simply a profession, but the necessary skills and knowledge to practise a calling, a mission. The defence minister explained that one of the most important aims of the government is to renew the system of home defence, not only the Hungarian Defence Forces but the entire defence sphere in a broader sense as well. He added: their objective is to achieve that the public can trust public servants and employees again, who perform their duties ethically, bravely and irreproachably, who are devoted to their work and have a professional attitude.

"I expect you to lead with a good example, foster national traditions, and bolster your students with your morale. Do pay attention to how they are advancing in their studies, the shaping of their future." Csaba Hende also mentioned the work done in the general staff training, emphasising that 15 people completed this course. Col. Imre Farkas was cited for his excellent performance and received the ’Primus inter pares’ Award (meaning ’first among equals’) at the ceremony.

The minister’s speech was followed by the graduation ceremony where the students received their diplomas. Maj.Gen. Dr. László Lakatos, Secretary General, Zrínyi Miklós University of National Defence pointed out in his report that in the training period, a total of 46 people took their doctorate in the two doctoral schools of the university. The ceremony continued with the parting words of a graduate, 1st Lt. Viktória Bene.

At the standing reception following the graduation ceremony, Lt.Gen. Tibor Benkõ, Chief of Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence proposed a toast, saying: there are people who received their first diploma, and there are others who already had one or more degrees when they applied to the university and now they received their latest diplomas. "It is a great struggle, but everybody must be aware and feel that the knowledge they have mastered is mainly for the present. This knowledge must be increased, these abilities and qualifications must be developed and improved. Do not forget that with your degree, you serve this country, the citizens of the country, the nation" – emphasised the chief of defence staff.