Slovak universities open new academic years

Comenius University in Bratislava and the University of Trnava have officially opened their new academic years.

At Comenius University, Rector Marek Števček presided over the 108th academic year opening. During the ceremony, several individuals received the university’s Gold Medal for their contributions to theological education, management, and philosophical thought, including Marián Šuráb, Elena Kohútiková, Ján Rudy, and Emil Višňovský. Rector Števček also announced that October 2 will become an official annual memorial day to honor students who lost their lives during their studies.

At the University of Trnava, which is entering its 391st year, Rector Miloš Lichner marked the start of the 2026/2027 academic year. The university announced the appointment of Ondrej Geče as its first student ombudsman, a role designed to protect student rights and provide impartial hearings. In his address, Lichner emphasized the importance of academic integrity in the age of artificial intelligence and encouraged students to graduate with an internal moral compass alongside their diplomas.