149 th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

Speech of Prof. Ing. Ferdinand DAŇO, PhD.

Rector of the University of Economics in Bratislava

Your excellencies,

dear ladies and gentlemen,

dear students,

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you at the University of Economics in Bratislava. We feel honoured that the Embassy of India has chosen the Assembly Hall of our University to remember a great man. A man who influenced the course of history and prepared India to become the largest democracy in the world.

Next year will mark 150 th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi and it is only appropriate that we remember the great teacher of freedom and peace on premises of a university, in a place where education, independent research and autonomous science stand or fall on these values.

I believe that the purpose of university education is truly global and we at the University of Economics in Bratislava are making every effort to create opportunities for our students to explore the world around. This reflects in our extensive international bilateral cooperation with more than 100 universities in over 60 countries out of which 22% are universities in Asia. One of the strategic objectives of the University of Economics in Bratislava is to strengthen the university's position in the international context.

In India we have a framework agreements with the Amity University and Indian Institute of Management in Raipur and I believe this is just a beginning—a beginning of a rewarding cooperation from which not only Slovak and Indian students could benefit.

I am also very pleased with the growing interest of international students in studying at the University of Economics in Bratislava. In winter term the university is hosting more than 200 students from 25 countries. It is a great responsibility and commitment as well. We try to create a community of students and teachers in which cross- cultural and international knowledge and experiences are part of the present and a heritage for the future.

We believe that education transforms students and if the change is the mover of the progress, then Gandhi was right when he said: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Thank you very much for your attention!