UNYP Graduation

UNYP graduation ceremony 2025

Our 2025 graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, 28 June at the Prague Municipal House (Obecní dům) on the historic Náměstí Republiky in the center of Prague. Admission to the graduation will be strictly by invitation only as space is limited. We will also broadcast live streaming of the event via this page on our website for guests and family who will be unable to attend the ceremony.

UNYP graduation ceremony 2024

Our 2024 graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday, 26 June at 17:00 at the Prague Municipal House (Obecní dům) on the historic Náměstí Republiky in the center of Prague. We also broadcasted live streaming of the event via this page on our website for guests and family who were unable to attend the ceremony.

2024 Guest Speakers:

Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, Ph.D.
President of SUNY, Empire State University

Ilias Foutsis
President, UNYP

UNYP graduation ceremony 2023

Our 2023 graduation ceremony was held on Friday, 23 June at 17:00 at Žofín Palace. We also broadcasted live streaming of the event via this page on our website for guests and family who were unable to attend the ceremony.

We invited our students and their family to document their journey to graduation by using the hashtag #UNYPGRAD on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

2023 Guest Speakers:

Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, Ph.D.
President of SUNY, Empire State University

Ilias Foutsis
President, UNYP

UNYP graduation ceremony 2022

Our 2022 graduation ceremony was held on Friday, 24 June at 17:00 at the Prague Municipal House (Obecní dům) on the historic Náměstí Republiky in the center of Prague. Admission to graduation was strictly by invitation only as space was limited. We also broadcasted live streaming of the event via this page on our website for guests and family who were unable to attend the ceremony.

We invited our students and their family to document their journey to graduation by using the hashtag #UNYPGRAD on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

2022 Guest Speakers:

Earl of St Andrews
Chancellor of University of Bolton

prof. PaedDr. Radka Wildová, CSc.
Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science, and Research

Ilias Foutsis
President, UNYP

Special message to UNYP Class of 2021

Dear Class of 2021,

We want to express how special you are to all of us at UNYP. The circumstances are not ideal. We would love to see you all at a big graduation ceremony but we cannot control the situation around the pandemic. However, we want to focus on things we can control. We will do everything in our power to create the real Graduation Ceremony later when the pandemic situation fades away.

Every year, the graduating class goes through a rollercoaster of emotions at Graduation. They are proud, sentimental, excited, and hopeful. You have achieved something special and this is the time to celebrate it. We were thinking of a way to convey this special feeling to you. Therefore we asked your familiar advisors and deans to share some farewell words. This video is dedicated especially to the Class of 2021.

Special message to UNYP Class of 2020

Congratulations, graduates of the University of New York in Prague, class of 2020! Even though we cannot be together today, here in Prague, UNYP wanted to make sure you know how special all of you are to us! Please know we will do our best to find new ways to help you celebrate your achievement as well as schedule the ceremony next year. To mark the actual graduation date, we want to share this special message from Ilias Foutsis (President, University of New York in Prague), Dr. Jim Malatras (President of SUNY Empire State College), and George E. Holmes DL (President & Vice-Chancellor, University of Bolton), who extend sincere congratulations to all of you!

UNYP graduation ceremony 2020 CANCELED

As the spring semester is coming to an end shortly, we wanted to update you on the UNYP 2020 graduation. As graduation always entails substantial preparation, travel, and guests from different parts of the global community, including the US and the UK, our first and primary concern is the well-being of all. As a result of the current situation, we, with a heavy heart, have decided to postpone the graduation celebration this year. At this time, faced with travel restrictions, closed borders, and large gatherings banned, it would be impossible to safely move forward with scheduling your momentous event in June and celebrate your accomplishments.

Looking towards the future, we are considering a combined Graduation in June 2021 for both the 2020 graduates and those that will graduate in 2021. The celebration will be up to the standards we have always offered for our incredible graduates and their loved ones. We will keep you informed once a decision for next year is confirmed.

We applaud all of our students, and we are so proud of all of you for the hard work, dedication, and determination. Please know we will do our best to find new ways to help you celebrate your achievement over the last four years as well as schedule the ceremony next year. Please stay well.

UNYP graduation ceremony 2019

Our 2019 graduation ceremony was held on Friday, 21 June at 17:00 at Palác Žofín on the beautiful island of Slovanský ostrov in Prague. Admission to graduation was strictly with invitation only as space was limited. We also broadcasted live streaming of the event via this page on our website for guests and family which were unable to attend the ceremony.

We invited our students and their family to document their journey to graduation by using the hashtag #UNYPGRAD19 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Guest Speakers:

Stephen B. King
The US Ambassador to the Czech Republic

Jindřich Fryč
State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

UNYP graduation ceremony 2018

The University of New York in Prague was very proud to honor nearly 181 graduates from 33 countries graduating from eight degree programs in the annual commencement event for 2018.

Our 2018 graduation ceremony was held on Friday, 22 June at 17:00 at Palác Žofín on the beautiful island of Slovanský ostrov in Prague. Admission to graduation was strictly with invitation only as space was limited. We also broadcasted live streaming of the event via this page on our website for guests and family which were unable to attend the ceremony.

We invited our students and their family to document their journey to graduation by using the hashtag #UNYPGRAD18 on Facebook, Intsagram and Twitter.

Guest Speakers:

Ing. Jan Fischer, CSc.
Former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

Mitchell S. Nesler, Ph.D.
Officer-in-Charge, State University of New York, Empire State College

Ilias Foutsis
President, UNYP

UNYP graduation ceremony 2017

Our 2017 graduation ceremony was held on Friday, 23 June at 17:00 at Palác Žofín on the beautiful island of Slovanský ostrov in Prague. Admission to graduation was strictly with invitation only as space is limited. We also broadcasted live streaming of the event via this page on our website for guests and family which were unable to attend the ceremony.

We invited our students and their family to document their journey to graduation by using the hashtag #UNYPGRAD17 on Facebook, Intsagram and Twitter.

At the end of graduation we created the scrapbook for every student with the memories that we posted.

2017 UNYP Graduation guest speakers:

Prof. Dan Shechtman, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Technion – Israeli Institute of Technology
2011 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry

Earl of St Andrews
Chancellor of University of Bolton

Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D.
President of Empire State College, State University of New York

Ilias Foutsis
President, UNYP

UNYP graduation ceremony 2016

The University of New York in Prague was very proud to honor more than 150 graduates from 40 different countries from seven degree programs in the annual commencement event for 2016.

Our 2016 graduation ceremony was held on Friday, 24 June at 17:00 at Palác Žofín on the beautiful island of Slovanský ostrov in Prague. You can find photos from the ceremony here and here.

Guest Speakers:

Dr. Thomas P. Mackey
Vice Provost for Academic Programs, SUNY, Empire State College

Ilias Foutsis
President, UNYP

UNYP graduation ceremony 2015

The University of New York in Prague was very proud to honor nearly 200 graduates from 40 countries graduating from seven degree programs in the annual commencement event for 2015.

Our 2015 graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, 27 June at 17:00 at Palác Žofín on the beautiful island of Slovanský ostrov in Prague. Although it was an invitation-only event due to limited space, our graduates shared their experiences on social media with the hashtag #UNYPGrad. We’ve put together some of our favorite moments here and here.

Guest speakers

Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D.
President of Empire State College, State University of New York

Adriana Krnáčová
Mayor of Prague

Ilias Foutsis
President, UNYP

Graduating students

At the ceremony, UNYP awarded honors to students graduating from the following programs:

Bachelor’s degree from UNYP in cooperation with the State University of New York, Empire State College (USA);
European Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from UNYP (Czech Republic)
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from UNYP (Czech Republic)
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in cooperation with National American University (USA)
Master of Arts in Professional and Business Communication in cooperation with La Salle University (USA)
Master of Arts in Clinical-Counseling Psychology in cooperation with La Salle University (USA)
Master of Laws (LL.M) in International and Commercial Law in cooperation with the University of Greenwich (UK)

UNYP graduation ceremony 2014

On 27 June 2014, the graduation ceremony for UNYP students took place in Žofín Palace in Prague.

The keynote speaker at this year’s graduation event was Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D., President of Empire State College, State University of New York. In addition, congratulatory remarks were provided by RNDr. Tomáš Hudeček, Ph.D, Mayor of the City of Prague.
The commencement ceremony was performed by Doc. Ing. Helena Fialová, CSc, from the University of New York in Prague. During the ceremony, individual students were also recognized for their outstanding overall academic performance on their individual study programs. The ceremony was concluded by Mr. Ilias Foutsis, President and founder of University of New York in Prague and New York College Educational Group.

Graduating students

During the graduation ceremony, diplomas were awarded to 183 students from 43 countries, both from UNYP and from its partner institutions. Graduates received diplomas in Business Administration, Communication and Mass Media, International Economic Relations, Psychology, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Professional and Business Communication, Clinical-Counseling Psychology, and International and Commercial Law.

87 students earned American bachelor’s degrees from Empire State College (ESC), which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY).
19 students earned European bachelor’s degrees from the University of New York in Prague.
35 students were awarded MBA dual degrees from the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch (IUKB) based in Switzerland and UNYP.
Five students were awarded Online MBA degrees by National American University.
12 students were awarded Master of Arts in Professional and Business Communication and 16 students were awarded Master of Arts in Clinical-Counseling Psychology from Philadelphia-based LaSalle University.
Finally, nine students received Master of Laws (LL.M) degrees from Britain’s University of Greenwich.

Over 800 distinguished guests, family and friends attended the ceremony to share in the success of our graduates and the whole event was covered by live streaming over the internet to allow relatives and friends to see their loved ones graduate from anywhere in the world. The management and staff of UNYP wish all our graduates success in their future careers or studies, and we proudly congratulate them on their academic achievements and successful graduation from UNYP.
To see more pictures, please visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/unyp-photo/sets/72157646570564957/

UNYP graduation ceremony 2013

On 28 June 2013, the graduation ceremony for UNYP students took place in Žofín Palace in Prague.
The main speaker at this year’s graduation event was Norman L. Eisen, J.D., B.A., Ambassador of the United States of America in the Czech Republic.

Graduating students

During the graduation ceremony, diplomas were awarded to 197 students from 38 countries, both from UNYP and from its partner institutions. Graduates received diplomas in Business Administration, Communication and Mass Media, International Economic Relations, Psychology, Project Management, banking, Management, Marketing, Professional and Business Communication, Clinical-Counseling Psychology, and International and Commercial Law.

The commencement ceremony was performed by Doc. Ing. Helena Fialová, CSc, from the University of New York in Prague. During the ceremony, individual students were also recognized for their outstanding overall academic performance on their individual study programs. David Kubička (IUKB/UNYP, MB.A.), Gina Di Malta (La Salle University, M.A. in Clinical-Counseling Psychology), Marie Adamová (University of Greenwich, LL.M in International and Commercial Law). The ceremony was concluded by Mr. Ilias Foutsis, President and founder of the University of New York in Prague and New York College Educational Group.

80 students earned American bachelor’s degrees from Empire State College (ESC), which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY).
23 students earned European bachelor’s degrees from UNYP.
31 students were awarded MBA dual degrees from the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch (IUKB) based in Switzerland and UNYP.
Nine students were awarded MBA degrees by UNYP.
One student was awarded an Online MBA degree by National American University.
23 students were awarded Master of Arts in Professional and Business Communication and were awarded Master of Arts in Clinical-Counseling Psychology from Philadelphia-based LaSalle University.
Finally, 16 students received Master of Laws (LL.M) degrees from Britain’s University of Greenwich.

Over 800 distinguished guests, family and friends attended the ceremony to share in the success of our graduates. The management and staff of UNYP wish all our graduates success in their future careers or studies, and we proudly congratulate them on their academic achievements and successful graduation from UNYP.

UNYP graduation ceremony 2012

On 23 June 2012, the graduation ceremony for UNYP students took place in Žofín Palace in Prague.
The main speaker at this year’s graduation event was Professor Simon Jarvis, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom.

Graduating students

During the graduation ceremony, diplomas were awarded to 186 students from more than 37 countries, both from UNYP and from its partner institutions. Graduates received their diplomas in Business Administration, Communications and Mass Media, IT Management, International Economic Relations, English Language and Literature, Psychology, Finance, Marketing, International and Commercial Law, Professional Communication and Public Relations, Project Management, Human Resources, Finance and Banking, and IT Management.

77 students earned American bachelor’s degrees from Empire State College (ESC), which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY)
24 earned European bachelor’s degrees from UNYP.
50 students were awarded MBA dual degrees from the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch (IUKB) based in Switzerland and UNYP.
Four were awarded MBA degrees by UNYP only.
18 students received master’s degrees from Philadelphia-based LaSalle University.
Finally, 12 students received Master of Laws (LL.M) degrees from Britain’s University of Greenwich.

Commencement remarks were made from Mr. Erik Best, renowned journalist and publisher of the Fleet Sheet in the Czech Republic. The commencement ceremony was performed by Doc. Ing. Helena Fialová, CSc, from the University of New York in Prague. During the ceremony individual students were also recognized for their outstanding overall academic performance on their individual study programs: Jaroslav Čech (IUKB/UNYP, MBA), Barbara Isabelle von Burg-Hofer (La Salle University, M.A. in Professional and Business Communication), Kristýna Helešicová (University of Greenwich, LL.M in International and Commercial Law) and Xiaoqian Lin (ESC/SUNY, B.A.). The ceremony was concluded by Mr. Ilias Foutsis, President and founder of University of New York in Prague and New York College Educational Group.
Over 800 distinguished guests, family and friends attended the ceremony to share in the success of our graduates. The management and staff of UNYP wish all our graduates success in their future careers or studies, and we proudly congratulate them on their academic achievements and successful graduation from UNYP.

UNYP graduation ceremony 2011

On 24 June, 2011 the graduation ceremony for UNYP students took place in Žofín Palace in Prague. The guest speaker was The Honorable Mr. Norman L. Eisen, the United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

Graduating students

Over 100 students earned Bachelors of Business Administration, Communication and Mass Media, International Economic Relations (IER), Psychology and Joint Business/IER studies from the State University of New York, Empire State College (Saratoga Springs, New York, USA) and Czech bachelor’s degrees in European Business Administration from the University of New York in Prague.
65 students earned an MBA degree from the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch (Switzerland) and University of New York in Prague.
17 received Master of Arts in Professional Communications and PR from La Salle University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA).
Finally, eight students were awarded a Master of Arts in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from La Salle University.

UNYP graduation ceremony 2010

On 19 June 2010, the Graduation Ceremony for students at UNYP took place in Žofín Palace in Prague.
The president of Empire State College, Dr Alan Davis, addressed the graduates and invited guests.

Graduating students

79 students received Bachelors of Business Administration, Communication and Mass Media, International Economic Relations (IER), Psychology and joint Business/IER studies from the State University of New York, Empire State College (Saratoga Springs, New York, USA).
Three students received a Czech Bachelor of European Business Administration from the University of New York in Prague.
37 students earned a dual MBA degree from the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch (Switzerland) and the University of New York in Prague.
Finally, 13 received Master of Arts in Professional Communications and PR from LaSalle University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA).

Other speakers and distinguished guests at the UNYP graduation ceremony included Ilias Foutsis, president and founder of UNYP; Charles Dufault, Ph.D. – Dean of the Business Programme, Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch; and Doc.Ing.Helena Fialova, CSc, from the University of New York in Prague. Individual students were also recognized for their outstanding overall success on their individual study programs: Matus Valach (ESC/SUNY B.A.), Martin Vetrak (IUKB/UNYP MBA) and Jana Hypsova (LaSalle University, MA in PCPR).
Over 500 distinguished guests, family, and friends attended the ceremony to share in the success of our graduates. The management and staff of UNYP wish all our graduates every success in their future careers, and we offer them all our sincerest thanks and congratulations on their achievements.

UNYP graduation ceremony 2009

On 30 June 2009 the graduation ceremony for students at UNYP took place in Žofín Palace in Prague. The president of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prof. Jiří Drahoš, addressed some 179 members of the 2009 graduating class. Prof. Drahoš spoke to UNYP graduates about “the key role that science plays in supporting diversity”, “the potential the science holds for helping provide innovative solutions to societal challenges and for promoting sustainable development” and “the need for cross-disciplinary co-operation between scientists and business, i.e. combining science and technology, to bring about solutions to solve the problems of the future.” Prof. Drahoš concluded his remarks by reminding UNYP graduates of how their studies and commitment to research can “help change the realities of future generations.”

Graduating students

83 students earned Bachelors of Business Administration, Communication and Mass Media, International Economic Relations (IER), Psychology and joint Business/IER studies from the State University of New York, Empire State College (Saratoga Springs, New York, USA).
32 students received a Czech Bachelor of European Business Administration from UNYP.
42 students earned a dual MBA degree from the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch (Switzerland) and UNYP.
Finally, 22 received Master of Arts in Professional Communications and PR from LaSalle University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA).

Other speakers and distinguished guests at the UNYP graduation ceremony included Ilias Foutsis, president and founder of UNYP; Charles Dufault, Ph.D. – Dean of the Business Programme, Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch; Joyce Elliott, Ph.D. – Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, SUNY Empire State College; and Gerard Molyneaux, F.S.C., Ph.D. – Director of External and International Relations, La Salle University. Individual students were also recognized for their outstanding overall success on their individual study programs. Martina Cermakova (ESC/SUNY B.A.), Andrea Bezdekovska (UNYP/ BBA), Erika Komarova (IUKB/UNYP MB.A.) and Olga Lostakova (LaSalle University, MA in PCPR)

Over 500 distinguished guests, family and friends attended the ceremony to share in the success of our graduates.
The management and staff of UNYP wish all our graduates every success in their future careers, and we offer them all our sincerest thanks and congratulations on their achievements.
A full video of the ceremony together with photographs are available to all interested parties. For more information on how to order please contact Jitka Korankova at internationaloffice@unyp.cz

UNYP graduation ceremony 2008

On 21 June 2008, the graduation ceremony for students at UNYP took place in Žofín Palace in Prague, with 169 students representing 29 different countries graduating.
The guest speaker was The Honorable Richard W. Graber, the United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Ambassador Graber gave a very warm speech in which he recalled his own graduation, and highlighted the challenges facing new graduates.

Graduating students

14 students graduated with a European bachelor’s degree.
99 students graduated with an American bachelor’s degree.
56 students graduated with an MBA degree.

UNYP was also honored to welcome the Ambassadors from Albania, Belarus, Brazil, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia as guests. We are truly grateful to them for giving up their valuable time to join us in celebrating our graduation day. The ceremony in 2008 was even more special as it coincided with UNYP’s 10th anniversary. Our warmest congratulations go to all of our graduates, and they leave us with our best wishes for their future careers.