Welcome speech
Dear Conference Participants and Special Guests,
I have the honour to invite you to a unique event and, subsequently, welcome you on the premises of the University of Pécs, Hungary, the first Hungarian University founded by the Hungarian king Anjou Louis the Great in 1367 with the support of a papal decree.
The conference bears the title Expanding Europe whose validity is deemed to be justified by the idea that it is timely to think about the expansion of European ideas in the minds without necessarily thinking about physical expansion associated with political states and geographical borders. The conference will be held between 11-15 October, 2010.
Expanding Europe is an initiative to channel efforts on governmental, regional, city and university levels effecting social inclusion, accession in higher education, equal chances to educational and cultural opportunities and to labor markets.
Expanding Europe is a grand opportunity for European rectors to discuss state-of-the-art issues in the European Higher Educational Area, while celebrating the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the European Capitals of Culture Programme. Therefore, the Rectors' Conference will be followed by the annual scientific conference of the University Network of the European Capitals of Culture (UNeECC) and the Compostela Group of Universities, organized jointly by the two international university organizations.
The series of events will offer a wide range of highly interesting activities: leading EU politicians will meet with ministers of the Hungarian government in the process of taking their turn in EU presidency, involving European university rectors in the discussion of current questions in higher education policy, a scientific conference will discuss research on cultural impacts in the society and higher education with special focus on combating poverty and social exclusion and improving chances of accession in higher education.
The special occasion is highlighted by the fact that the City of Pécs has the title of European Capital of Culture all the year through in 2010 which in itself offers a wide variety of cultural and artistic events in addition to the universities numerous scientific conferences.
As Rector of the University of Pécs, Hungary, I am delighted to extend a whole-hearted invitation to all our interested Partners to this special event under the topical umbrella Expanding Europe.
I will be honoured to welcome you in person for our Conference in October!
József Bódis
rector
utoljára frissítve: 2010. július 01. 15:14:08
