Comenius University Rector awarded the Gold Medal of Masaryk University
The celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of Masaryk University in Brno (MU), the second Czech university, commenced on 28 January 2019 with an awards ceremony presenting the MU Gold Medals. The Comenius University Rector, Professor Karol Mičieta, received the award from the hands of the Masaryk University Rector, Associate Professor Mikuláš Bek.
During the awards ceremony, Associate Professor M. Bek, the MU Rector, pointed out that the founding of MU was closely connected to the formation of Czechoslovakia and the ideals of its first president, T. G. Masaryk, who wished universities in the new state developed in a mutual competition with each other. The formation of a combined republic prompted the establishment of a university in Bratislava, which contributed to the functioning of the common state and confirmed its independence from Vienna. “We preserve this heritage and further develop it for those that will come after us. As Professor Kristián Hynek, the first Comenius University Rector said, it is the future that guides our actions and we will be held accountable to it,” said Professor Karol Mičieta, the Rector of Comenius University on the soil of Masaryk University.
As a member of the Scientific Board of the Masaryk University, and Slovak and world’s expert in the botanical field, the Comenius University Rector, Professor Karol Mičieta, was awarded the MU Gold Medal for securing the conditions for development of an excellent scientific research, which contributed to Comenius University becoming the most important and internationally recognized Slovak university; and for supporting the collaboration with related institutions, with Masaryk University in Brno among others. “I very much appreciate receiving this important honour that also serves as a symbol of our solidarity and cooperation. I would like to assure you that Comenius University in Bratislava and the entire Slovak academic community is a close, stable and loyal partner,” said the Comenius University Rector.