ambassador speeches

Ambassador´s Remarks at the University of New York in Prague Graduation Ceremony

June 26, 2005

President Foutsis, Dean Adams, members of the faculty, graduates of the University of New York, Prague and your families, ladies and gentlemen:

It’s a wonderful pleasure for me to be here this afternoon to honor the fourth graduating class of the University of New York, Prague.  I would like to congratulate you, the members of the class of 2005, on the successful completion of your studies.  Your years of hitting those books and burning the midnight oil before a major paper is due have paid off and will continue to do so in the years to come.  You should be very proud of your accomplishments.

I would also like to salute the parents and grandparents who are here today.  The support you have given your sons and daughters, moral and financial, has enabled them to achieve the respected status of university graduates.  Your investment in your son’s and daughter’s education, not only prepares them for a bright future, but is also a important step to benefit their country.

For the Czech Republic to be a leader in our fast changing global market place, its citizens must be better educated and harder working than its competitors.  Especially the countries here in Central Europe.

Throughout the history of the Czech lands, education and scholarship have been highly revered, a tradition that Czechs remain proudly aware of to this day.

I strongly believe that the University of New York, Prague serves a very important role in the Czech Republic and this region.  It promotes academic excellence through an interactive teaching style with a multi-cultural perspective – very modern methods in today’s world of higher education.  Your distinguished faculty of international professors broadens your students learning experience and challenges them to reach out.

This university experience helps them to prepare for successful careers and to adapt to new circumstances in an ever changing world.  A food example of change is the Czech Republic recently becoming a member of the European Union.  I believe this new status will offer you and your country many new options for life and careers in the years ahead.

This university has made civic responsibility one of its core values, and I encourage you to always keep that goal in mind in your future careers.

During my own life as a businessman and an elected parliamentarian, I have always believed in the importance of contributing my time to support community development projects, many of which have focused on education reform.

You too can play an important role in the continuing development of Czech Civil Society, local and national, and I encourage you to do so.  You will experience a great sense of pride from helping your fellow-man.

A good place to start is by remaining involved with your own university after graduation.  Private universities need alumni support to ensure that the educational opportunities that you have experienced will be available for future generations of students.

The diploma you will receive today will signify that you have worked hard and applied yourself to attain a higher level of education.  This preparation and experience will certainly help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself – but it alone will not guarantee you the achievement of these goals.

You will find that much more is needed as you pursue your careers – attributes such as persistence, loyalty, creativity, and being honest and fair in your relationships with your fellow man. 

Ronald Reagan, in my opinion one of America’s greatest presidents, believed that there was no limit to what a person could achieve, as long as he or she did not care who got the credit.  In other words, be a team player and share the successes you achieve with your teammates.

Once again, I congratulate you, the class of 2005!  Some of you will now be going into the business world, some into law or medicine, some into education, some into government, some into civil society and some will continue on with your own education. 

Whatever path you choose, may it lead to success and happiness for you and your families, and to prosperity for you community and your nation. 

            Thank you.