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- Eating together is an integral part of our culture and has been the setting for significant historical events in many cases. A month ago, an article was published in the international scientific journal Nature, challenging existing paradigms concerning the link between nutrition and disorders such as depression and dementia and other neurological diseases. The key finding of the study is that food determines the functioning of the brain’s metabolism. Food can influence the course of neurodegenerative diseases, contribute to the preservation of intelligence, and to a certain extent also affect social relationships, interactions, and mood. Approximately 7,800 international students pursue their studies at this university, they come from 134 countries but belong to one community. This is an island of peace, the oldest and biggest university in the country, which can bring its student community together in this way. We can be proud of this- Zoltán Szilvássy, Rector of the University of Debrecen told hirek.unideb.hu.
For 21 years, the core mission of this major gathering of the University of Debrecen has not changed: to bring together foreign students and help them integrate into the university community, giving them the opportunity to present their culture through their gastronomy.
- In 2005, at the time of our first event on the terrace in front of the theoretical block at the clinical campus, the foreign community at the University of Debrecen was mostly made up of students participating in the medical health education programme. Thanks to the development of the past 21 years, including the expansion of the programmes offered by the institution in English language, now we can welcome foreign students in almost all faculties, so Food Day automatically became a university-level event. The essence, however, has been preserved: our students live harmoniously here, in safety, despite all kinds of political disputes. There have been many conflicts in the world in recent decades, for example, the Yugoslav crisis in the 1990s, or the current conflicts. However, they have caused no disruption to our students’ education, and fortunately there are no conflicts when the students are together- said Attila Jenei, the dreamer of Food Day and Director of the UD Coordinating Center for International Education.
Kevin Németh, President of the Student Union of the University of Debrecen, is convinced that the 21st Food Day successfully built upon the last, demonstrating clear growth: this year, more than a hundred dishes and specialties from 36 nations were on the table.
- In my opinion, this occasion is a perfect example of what makes our university community so special. Each stand is a story, a country, a community that we may not know yet, or cannot know. However, what really makes our university strong is that we don’t just learn side-by-side, we also create a lasting network- emphasized Kevin Németh.
According to the head of the student union, the shopping list was very long this year. The purchase included nearly 500 kilograms of meat, including special requirements such as halal and kosher meat.
Besides reflecting the diversity of UD’s foreign student community from Mexico to Kenya, from Nigeria to Cyprus or even from the Philippines to South Korea, the International Food Day also served a charitable purpose this year again. The organizers, the Student Union of the University of Debrecen and the International Student Union, are once again donating a portion of the event’s proceeds to a good cause.
Press Centre - ÉE
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