On 24 September, 2018 prof. Stanislav Kmeť, the Rector of the Technical University of Košice, opened the new academic year and declared it the “Year of Aurel Stodola” at TUKE. The university celebrates the personality of Aurel Stodola on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of his birth. Except the representatives of the university, the ceremony was attended by a large number of first-year students, to which the Rector addressed a significant part of his speech:

“I want to thank our new students, in particular, for choosing our university as a place of their further studies. I congratulate you on this decision and I assure you that it was the right and sensible decision for your future. You start your studies at a university which is one of the leading research and education institutions in Slovakia. You have been able to choose from a wide range of nearly 60 Bachelor´s degree programs on one of our nine faculties. Thanks to the success of the projects, the university offers you very good material conditions for your study, modern information and communication technologies, and modern instrument and technical infrastructure.

The university puts great emphasis on improving quality and excellence in all its activities, especially in research and education. The Technical University of Košice is rated as one of the best universities in Slovakia by the world rating agencies. Try to earn your diploma, which has its worth not only at home but also abroad, by honest and conscientious fulfilment of your study duties. Our university teachers and workers are ready to help you achieve this goal through their skills and knowledge. It is only up to you to take advantage of this chance and use it to your benefit. I wish you a great deal of success in your studies and many unforgettable moments during your university life.”

The first thematic event of the Year of Aurel Stodola at TUKE was the issue of a 0 euro souvenir bank note, sale of which began at the beginning of the academic year.