Dear colleagues,

let me cordially greet you on the occasion of this day, which is dedicated to all teachers. The original intention of the university management was to organize a meeting with all of you where we would have the opportunity to exchange opinions, experiences and discuss things that both bother you or please you. Unfortunately, the current difficult situation does not allow this, so I would like to speak to you, dear colleagues at least in this way. In addition to my personal congratulation, I would like to take this opportunity for a few words - an expression of appreciation that you undoubtedly deserve.

Teacher - a profession which is declining in several meanings. Teacher is an innovator, a bearer of values, a reformer, a mission, but for others it is "only" job. Many times, in the wider public, the profession of teacher is perceived through distorted information in the mass media and the media, or through the benefits associated with the performance of the teacher profession, such as longer holiday, working time, etc.

However, a higher education teacher must combine pedagogical skills, presentation and communication skills, be creative and have the ability to think innovatively and scientifically. In addition, it should build on the values that teachers have imparted to young people at previous levels of education, deepening and consolidating values such as empathy, tolerance, wisdom and correctness. It is not easy, it is a great commitment, but it is also an honor to be at the birth of a young intelligence that will influence many of our societies, our lives, in many positions in the near future.

Perhaps on these days many of you are thinking about your profession - questions like - why I chose this profession, whether it fulfills me and I want to live my life with it. As you are now reading these words, you are probably here, acting on our Alma Mater and I thank you for that. Together we can continue in moving things to the common future.

I believe that you perceive that together with the management of the university I particularly appreciate your pedagogical work, which you can combine with publishing, scientific research and many activities with students in their free time. Our university is certainly an example in terms of cooperation and organization of non-university activities towards the external environment.

On Teachers' Day 2020, we have a gift for our academic staff in the form of the Academic Club in the central building that I have opened. It should not be only a place for meetings of managemenet of the university, but it can become a suitable place for receiving visits, discussing, exchanging experience and opinions, and last but not least, the relaxation of our employees.

Allow me to be on behalf of myself and on behalf of the leadership of University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava thanked for your work in favor of our Alma Mater, for your work, willingness to help and advise and last but not least for your stimulating thoughts and ideas that enrich the life around us.

In the university city Trnava on 28th of March, 2020

prof. Ing. Roman Boča, DrSc.
Rector of UCM in Trnava

Photogallery - The Academic Club.