Debrecen4U December 16, 2025

Hungarian research astronaut was honored at the University of Debrecen

The Faculty of Agriculture, Food Science, and Environmental Management of the University of Debrecen has awarded the title of honorary associate professor to research astronaut Tibor Kapu. Tibor Kapu received the award in a solemn setting at the Faculty of Agriculture’s graduation ceremony on Saturday, where more than two hundred students of the Faculty of Agriculture received their diplomas, the university announced.

“Agricultural higher education in Debrecen is celebrating its 157th anniversary this year. Generations of excellent economic and agricultural professionals have been educated within the walls of our institution. Our faculty aims to become a diverse, outstanding scientific and educational center with its diverse image and traditions, which will gain recognition in scientific circles not only in our country but also internationally. The goal and motto of our scientific activity is integrated developments and knowledge sharing to support competitive agriculture, ethical food production, and environmental sustainability. We are convinced that our faculty can provide valuable knowledge that can be directly used in practice for the businesses of the wider region, thereby supporting the improvement of their competitiveness and the enhancement of the sustainability of their production,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food Science, and Environmental Management of the University of Debrecen in his ceremonial speech.

László Stündl spoke about the faculty’s continuously expanding training system. She highlighted that, in line with domestic and international trends and market demands, the ecological and regenerative farming engineer/specialist training, the BSc in animal health engineering, and the MSc in food hygiene engineering are also about to be launched at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food Science, and Environmental Management.

“Be proud that you have earned your degree from one of the country’s most prestigious universities. Your alma mater will release you to your professional career with a calm heart. You will set off on a journey with foundations that you can build on, which can be used well in agriculture, economics, and other fields. I hope that even in your successful career, you will not forget that our institution provided these foundations for you. However, receiving this diploma is only the beginning of lifelong learning,” said Zoltán Bács, Chancellor of the University of Debrecen, to the graduates.

Research astronaut Tibor Kapu also greeted the graduates in an unusual way.

“The world is changing, and people are adaptable and tool users. Ride the waves bravely, because after these, even bigger ones will come, on the back of which only a surfboard built from your desire for knowledge and painted from your curiosity can hold you there. Let us be grateful that we are alive today, and be grateful that this alma mater gave you everything to use these tools confidently, to ride these waves bravely. I know what it feels like to enter the labor market with a single line on a CV. It is an anxious and insecure feeling. However, I have good news for you. The opportunity, the seeds of which have already been planted here, within these walls, has been watered and, with the help of a little sunlight and a little nutrition, is eagerly awaiting how big it can grow. They don’t know yet, and you don’t know yet, but I do. Believe me, because I have already raised seedlings from Debrecen in outer space. Believe me, they grew to be the biggest, and I was the proudest,” said Tibor Kapu.

In the fall semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, 232 students fulfilled the requirements for obtaining a degree at the faculty in bachelor’s and master’s programs, higher education vocational training, and specialized further training. Of the graduating students, 9 received a diploma with honors, 48 ​​received an excellent diploma, 64 received a distinguished diploma, 96 received a good diploma, and 16 received an average diploma.

The faculty’s awards were presented before the graduating students took the oath.

The Council of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food Sciences, and Environmental Management of the University of Debrecen awarded the title of honorary associate professor to research astronaut Tibor Kapu, who carried out the faculty’s researchers’ VITAPRIC complex plant biology and space plant cultivation experiments on the International Space Station with maximum commitment during the Axiom-4 mission, contributing to the success of the experiments.

Levente Viszló, president of the Pro Vértes Public Foundation, was awarded an honorary associate professor title, and Zsolt Fülep, CEO of Balmaz-Sütöde Kft., was awarded a second honorary associate professor title.

The Certificate of Appreciation of the Student Government of the University of Debrecen was awarded to Csenge Berencsi, undergraduate student of agricultural water management and environmental technology engineering; Bence Gábor Győri, master’s student of food safety and quality engineering; Bence Tamás Négyesi, undivided master’s student of agricultural engineering; István Péter Ribárszki, undergraduate student of agricultural engineering; and Lili Sztrehárszki, undergraduate student of nature conservation engineering.

Lilla Fórián, a master’s student in environmental management and agricultural engineering, and Gergő Jakab, a bachelor’s student in conservation engineering, received the Certificate of Recognition from the President and Vice President of the Student Government of the University of Debrecen.

The awards of the Talent Development Program of the University of Debrecen, as well as the certificates of the Kerpely Kálmán College and the Tormay Béla College, were also presented.

The faculty awarded the Pro Facultate Juventutis award to Csaba Lengyel, an engineering student of undivided agricultural studies.

The Dean’s Certificate of Recognition was awarded to Csaba Bojtor, assistant professor; Eszter Fogarasi, acting expert; and Réka Juhászné Tóth, teaching assistant.

The Teacher of the Year award this year went to Assistant Professor Éva Ragánné Szabó.

Source:dehir.hu | Photo credit:Facebook Debrecen városa