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President of the European Commission Received Honorary Doctorate from TBU

The honorary degree of doctor honoris causa was conferred upon José Manuel Barroso by Tomas Bata University in Zlín at a special session of the University Scientific Board on 22 April 2009. The ceremony was attended by nearly 200 guests, including ministers of the Czech Republic, foreign ambassadors, rectors and other representatives of higher education institutions from the Czech Republic as well as from abroad, members of the University academic community, and other guests.

“President Barroso has been awarded the honorary doctorate for his personal contribution to the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union and building a new Europe,” said TBU Rector, Prof. Ing. Ignác Hoza., CSc. The laudatio was delivered by Vice-Rector Prof. Petr Sáha who, as the erstwhile Rector, had submitted the proposal for the conferment of the honorary title upon President of the European Commission to the TBU Scientific Board.

“I am convinced that the conferment of the honorary degree is a mark of your commitment to the European project,” said José Barroso. In his speech President of the European Commission concentrated on the legacy of Tomas Bata, and particularly on those ideas that are relevant in this time of crisis. “In post-crisis Europe, we will need young people who can think critically and who have a strong sense of values. I know that this University wants its students to identify with strong ethical principles,” concluded Barroso.

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