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Students from four continents celebrated the opening of the academic year in Carolinum

The Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies opened the academic year 2023/2024 on Friday, 8 September. Representatives of the university and the institute greeted nearly 250 students from four continents at a gathering in the Great Auditorium. While the new academic year does not start until 1 October at Charles University, the students of the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies have already had their first days of classes.

Professor Eva Voldřichová-Beránková, vice-rector for foreign affairs, addressed the international audience in the magnificent space of Carolinum. In her speech, she highlighted the importance that ILPS plays in the internationalisation of the university, stating that this fact is clearly reflected in at least five places in the prepared strategic document on the internationalisation of the university.

"You could say that the internationalisation of our university has begun in our institute. Almost every applicant applying to Charles University will encounter our useful institution in some form, and the 20 percent of foreign students that our university boasts is also a credit to the institute," said Vice-Rector Voldřichová-Beránková. She also recalled the words of the founder of the university, Charles IV, from the university's founding charter. He founded the university so that the people of his kingdom would no longer have to seek knowledge in other countries, and vice versa: "they regarded it as their honour to be able to invite others from abroad to their country." 

Studying in the Czech Republic is proof that education opens doors and hearts, cultivates society, and allows you to experience all the positive aspects of diversity, said ILPS CU Director Dana Hůlková-Nývltová, following up on the vice-rector's speech and thanking the students for choosing the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies as their first step towards studying in the Czech Republic. 

"Our goal is to train you both in language and in your field of study, not only for the entrance exams, but also for the beginning of your first semester at university, and to teach you as much as possible about the Czech Republic and the local life to make you feel at home here," said the director of the institute.

Two exceptional graduates of the one-year preparatory programme from the Institute of Language and Vocational Training, Viktoria Hnatysko and Daria Artemenko, both from Ukraine, spoke at the ceremony on behalf of the students. Viktoria Hnatysko studied at our Poděbrady Study Centre, while Daria Artemenko completed the programme at our Prague-Krystal Centre. Their journey was long and full of challenges, and they shared their stories with us in moving speeches. Their stories are an inspiration to all of us who strive to achieve our dreams.

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by Jan Kalfus, a professor at the Prague Conservatory, who has served as the organist in the Great Hall for 45 years. Using the new organ from 2021, he performed Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D major and Louis Lefébure-Wely's Sortie in E flat major. And, as on all academic occasions, the student anthem Gaudeamus igitur was performed in the Carolinum.

In his speech, Associate Professor Richard Biegl presented the history of the Karolina Grand Auditorium. He recalled that the building originally served as the dining hall of Rotlev House, which was donated to the University in the 14th century. He also stressed that the university was then a closed world where masters and students lived in a monastery-like community, and professors were celibate. Biegl compared the history of the university to a series of ups and downs with a happy ending.

During the pivotal year of 1948, when the university's anniversary was celebrated, architect Jaroslav Fragner, who redesigned the auditorium, aimed to express something timeless, modern, but at the same time very democratic in the architecture. "Actually, you wouldn't know from the architecture and the decoration that totalitarian clouds were gathering over us. I think that's the strongest symbolism. There may be ups and downs, but it is important to preserve inner freedom and to do everything possible to make things better, and that is also the message of the place where we are," concluded Associate Professor Biegl's historical excursion.