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Students from more than 50 countries celebrated the beginning of the academic year in Carolinum

Hundreds of students from all over the world filled the Great Hall of Charles University's historic headquarters on Friday, September 13, to begin the 2024/2025 academic year together at the matriculation ceremony. The academic year at the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies of Charles University (ÚJOP UK) began on Monday 9 September. Five hundred students from more than fifty countries are starting to study Czech and specialized subjects in the preparatory courses this autumn.

The ceremonial morning commenced with the Czech national anthem performed on the organ, followed by a speech by Jan Kuklík, the vice-rector for academic qualifications of Charles University. "I am very pleased that you have decided to study the Czech language, which has always been an important part of our culture and education. I wish you enjoy your stay with us," he said to the students and pointed out some of the emblems depicted in Carolinum associated with its founder, Charles IV.

"Regular attendance, diligence and determination are the key to your success," said Dana Hůlková Nývltová, the director of ÚJOP UK. "This year could be a big turning point for you, full of new experiences, cultural discoveries and friendships that can last for a lifetime," she continued in welcoming new students of the Czech and English preparatory programmes and participants of the language-only courses. In her speech she also mentioned the 50th anniversary of ÚJOP as part of Charles University.

The matriculation ceremony also witnessed touching speeches by two graduates of ÚJOP programmes. They encouraged and motivated the future students to work hard and to gain extraordinary and unforgettable experiences. Their authentic wish of success for the students made a strong impression on many of the attendees, including the teachers, of whom a few dozen were present at the ceremony to welcome the new students.

After the European anthem, the head of the Institute of History of Charles University Marek Ďurčanský took the floor to present some interesting facts about the history of the university and the history of the Great Hall and Carolinum to the foreign students. The new students could thus fully appreciate the fact that they were becoming part of a history of hundreds of years.

After the final student anthem Gaudeamus Igitur, with which the organist stirred up the hall and the ears of the attendees for the last time, the fresh students went for a group photograph. We wish our students a successful start of the academic year and that they get the most out of their studies at ÚJOP for their career and life.