Dr. Krisztián Bene receives French State Honour

Dr. Krisztián Bene, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Pécs, has received a prestigious French state award: the Prime Minister of the French Republic has appointed him a Knight of the Order of Academic Palms. The award was presented by the Ambassador of France to Hungary, Jonathan Lacôte, at a ceremony held on the occasion of the International Day of Francophonie.

L'Ordre des Palmes Académiques or the Order of Academic Palms is a national order awarded by the French Republic

to outstanding academics and researchers for their valuable contribution to universities, education and science. 

The award was originally created by Napoleon in 1808 to honour distinguished members of the University of Paris (known metonymically as the Sorbonne), and was converted into its present form into a medal of merit by President René Coty on 4 October 1955,

making it one of the oldest civilian honours of the French Republic.

Jonathan Lacôte, Ambassador of France to Hungary and Dr. Krisztián Bene, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at UP

Jonathan Lacôte, Ambassador of France to Hungary, opened the ceremony with a speech outlining the career of Dr. Krisztián Bene. "Your relationship with France is, one might say, a matter of chance, since you started school at the age of seven in a school where French was taught as a first foreign language. It was lucky that it turned out that way." - said the ambassador, and then continued:

"Dr. Krisztián Bene is extremely dedicated to his academic work, as he has contributed significantly to scientific research, especially in the field of Franco-Hungarian relations, military history, the French language and Francophone civilisations. 

His dedication and service to French culture justify the decision of the French Prime Minister (on the recommendation of the Minister of Education) to award (Dr. Krisztián Bene - editor) the Knight of the Order of Academic Palms."

The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences stressed that this honour is perhaps the most important recognition for a person working in education.

"This recognition is for the somewhat invisible but, in my belief, the most important work.

And I am grateful to so many people for the recognition that this work has now received." - said Dr. Krisztián Bene, and thanked his parents for their support and for choosing the school by chance. "The only thing you have to do is to study." - the dean recalled his mother's words. He added that he tries to keep this admonition in mind, as the spirit of learning and teaching still motivates him to this day.

"When I come out after a lecture, it may not feel like that to the students, but it recharges me. 

It's fantastic to be with them - you try to give something, sometimes you might succeed - but you get much more than you give. That's the most important thing for me, and I'm very grateful for that. I always say

 there is no university without students," said the dean. 

Dr. Krisztián Bene and his parents

After the ceremony, the newly honoured Dr. Krisztián Bene was welcomed with champagne by his parents, teachers, colleagues and students, as well as Jonathan Lacôte, Ambassador of the French Republic to Hungary and Jeroen Vergeylen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Hungary.

The citizens of the University of Pécs congratulate Dr. Krisztián Bene on this prestigious recognition! 

Written by Mercédesz Kovács-Csincsák