COMENIUS UNIVERSITY OPENS ITS 108TH ACADEMIC YEAR
Bratislava, 21 September, 2026: Comenius University Bratislava (CU) today marked the opening of its 108th academic year with a ceremony attended by the academic community. On this occasion, Rector Marek Števček honoured four outstanding figures from the university.
At the opening ceremony in the CU Auditorium, the Rector awarded Gold Medals of Comenius University Bratislava to four individuals whose work has made an exceptional contribution to both CU and Slovak society. Professor Marián Šuráb received a Gold Medal for his longstanding contribution to theological education and the university’s academic life. The award honours his teaching and research, as well as his commitment to promoting the values of learning, dialogue and humanity.
Dr Elena Kohútiková also received a CU Gold Medal for her significant contribution to the university’s development and her longstanding work building links between academia and professional practice in business and finance. The award recognises her expertise, her support for the university’s strategic direction and her personal dedication to the academic community.
Professor Ján Rudy was honoured for his major contribution to the development of CU, particularly its Faculty of Management. The medal recognises his many years of academic service, his contribution to management education and his role in establishing the Faculty as an integral part of the university.
The Rector also awarded a CU Gold Medal to Professor Emil Višňovský for his significant contributions to philosophical thought, the advancement of knowledge and higher education. The award honours his many years of academic service and research, and his role in shaping generations of CU students. Professor Višňovský did not attend the ceremony and will receive his award at a later date.
In his address to the entire academic community, CU Rector Marek Števček reflected on the profound significance of teaching as a vocation and the value of human life. “The reality of death is inexorable and cruelly final. I realised how fortunate we are to live an ordinary life. How often we grumble and feel dissatisfied over things that do not matter at all. And how fortunate we are, as educators in the broadest sense of the word, to be able to influence young people’s lives,” the Rector emphasised.
He also paid tribute to students whose lives had been cut short. “We owe a great deal to the memory of all the students who lost their lives during their studies,” Marek Števček said. He announced that CU would henceforth observe 2 October each year as an official day of remembrance for deceased students. He added that paying tribute cannot undo the tragedy of death, but can give it a more enduring place in the university community’s collective memory.
The solemnity of the occasion was enhanced by a closing musical performance by recent CU graduate Michaela Čakváriová, who performed a selection of popular and original songs to guitar and piano accompaniment.
CU is the only Slovak university to feature in most prestigious university rankings. Across its thirteen faculties in Bratislava, Martin and Nitra, it offers education at all levels of study (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and PhD studies) through more than 800 study programmes in which it is authorised to confer the respective academic degrees.