Debrecen University stripped Putin of his honorary citizen title?
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During the summer of 2017, Vladimir Putin was awarded the Civis Honoris Causa, the title of Honorary Citizen of the University of Debrecen.
Who can get the title?
The title of Honorary Citizen can be awarded to a national or foreign person who “has contributed to the strengthening of the reputation of the University (…) through their work, moral or financial support”.
But why did Putin get this title?
According to eduline.hu, the Russian president “earned” the title with the Paks II project, as “the Hungarian government” and the Russian Federation intend to give a significant role to the University of Debrecen in the project.
The University of Debrecen not only participates in the training of Paks II specialists but also “carries out additional complementary activities such as the training of teachers and instructors who provide primary and secondary, and, of course, higher education for the children of Russian specialists coming to Hungary”.
Why did they revoke it?
Right around the time when Russia launched an attack on Ukraine, news started to circulate that several institutions in Hungary and around the world revoked the titles of Vladimir Putin and other pro-government Russians.
News started to circulate that the University of Budapest has deleted the entry about Vladimir Putin’s title on the website of the educational institution.
Stupid decision. University of Debrecen should take a moment and think of how they would like to live without energy supplied by Russia.