Cambridge Professor at the Opening of MCC University Program’s Academic Year

The University Program has been offering unique, free of charge, interdisciplinary learning and housing opportunities to exceptional talent since 2018. This year 118 students are participating in the program. In the coming semesters, students will have the opportunity to learn from renowned local and international speakers, and to enrich their knowledge through inspiring professional discussions, interactive courses, workshops and debates. In addition to professional programs, community-building is also central to the MCC: students can build lifelong relationships and find a home at the Collegium even after graduation.

Abigél Szilágyi, a student of the University Program, greeted the participants of the opening ceremony, and then handed over the floor to Botond Talpas, general director of MCC in Transylvania, who looked back to the time of Károly Kós, when the Hungarian future in Transylvania had to be dreamed up and a clear path had to be shown. “We have to work if we want to live, and we want to live, so we will work”, the director quoted the words of the famous architect’s proclamation. He added that the Collegium is working to help young people to become courageous intellectuals of their time and their communities, and not to shy away from the challenges of the world – in this joint work, the MCC is an unwavering supporter.

Péter Túri, director of the MCC Leadership Academy, emphasized the importance of Transylvania in the context of the organization. He said that young people today have vastly more opportunities, compared to their predecessors, and MCC also provides a solid base for professional and educational growth. The director brought up the postgradual programs, the vast and still expending training portfolio, research opportunities and international scholarships. “MCC starts off young people on a secure, hopeful road. Those who choose to step on this road will become active participants of the community. Know yourself, understand your place in the world and be decisive.”

The guest lecturer of the event, Dr. Mark Khater shared his inspiring worldview and way of thinking with the audience. He is H Head of the Center for Strategy and Performance at the University of Cambridge, he has been working in the area of alternative finance, investments and innovation. Even back in the 1990’s he was working to develop AI programs, but along the years he also worked at the UN, financial institutions, and has been a consultant for several biomedical, software, and telecom companies. He confessed that he is always careful when asked to give advice to the younger generation, since they will inevitably live through more and newer experiences that those who came before them. Intelligence, way of thinking and learning are going to change drastically, therefore independent thinking and emotional intelligence will become more vital than ever before. He encouraged clarity, the precise formulation of our goals and evaluation of ourselves and our surroundings. Lastly, he warned that we are our greatest enemy, and thus it is crucial for us to continuously question our ego. He discovered that after the passing of his father, even though he was a great and respected academic, the most important thing turned out to be the way people remembered him. He encouraged MCC students to do something for their homeland, community, family, for the more they give, the more they will receive.

The opening of the academic year was closed with a presentation by the University Program’s students: Attila Magyari-Sáska played the trumpet and Kincső Felszegi enriched the event with a recital.