Welcome to more than 1,500 international students

This year SDU is welcoming more than 1,500 students from 93 countries.

They have all been invited to a joint welcome event in Odense with the attendance of Her Royal Highness Princess Marie.

In his welcome Vice Chancellor Henrik Dam took a grave starting point in the violent acts of terrorism that have marked the recent years in every corner of the world. From Atatürk Airport in Istanbul to a tourist beach in Tunisia. From the Norwegian island of Uttøya to a Parisian concert venue. 

- But before I get totally sad and gloomy, you should know that I have a point to make, the Vice Chancellor assured:

Ambassadors of Peace

- Because when I look out at all of you gathered here, what I see is the very possibility of putting an end to this wave of hate and terror. Of making the world a much safer place for us and our children, so we can live together side by side, whatever our religion, culture or ethnicity.

-You are ambassadors of peace, community spirit and cultural understanding. You have travelled vast distances from your homes, some of you half way around the globe, all for the sake of education. It is people like you who will help bring about peace, because you will learn to work together and find common ground across cultures, Henrik Dam said.