Annex No. 1
WORDING OF THE MATRICULATION AND GRADUATION VOWS
Matriculation Vows
During the matriculation ceremony, students of the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University
take the following vows:
I promise,
as a student of Masaryk University, that I will make every effort to attain the deepest
possible knowledge, and master every skill that is necessary for professional work in the
field of study to which I have been admitted; that I will follow the advice of my teachers
and observe the study regulations of the University and the Faculty during my studies, and
that I will not harm the generally-recognised good reputation of Masaryk University and its
Faculty of Arts by my actions.
Graduation Vows
At graduation ceremonies for graduates of Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral studies, a
condition for the award of the relevant academic degree is the swearing of an oath in the
prescribed wording, the essence of which is a promise undertaken by the graduate in the
presence of the promoter.
At the graduation ceremony for a doctor honoris causa, or honorary doctorate, the text of
the oath is modified to meet specific requirements.
The language of the oath is Latin for Doctoral students, and Latin or Czech for graduates
of Master’s or Bachelor’s studies.
Latin text of the Oath
Promoter:
[Dr.: Doctorandi, Mgr. Bc.: Scholares] clarissimi, examinibus, quae ad eorum, qui [Dr.:
doctoris, Mgr.: magistri, Bc.: baccalaurei] nomen et honores consequi student, doctrinam
explorandam lege constituta sunt, cum laude superatis, nos adiistis desiderantes, ut vos
eo honore in hoc solemni consessu ornaremus. Prius autem fides est danda, vos tales
semper futuros, quales vos esse iubebit dignitas, quam obtinueritis, et nos vos fore
speramus.
Spondebitis igitur:
Primum vos huius Universitatis, in qua [Dr.: summum in philosophia, Mgr.: magistri, Bc.:
baccalaurei] gradum ascenderitis, piam perpetuo memoriam habituros, eiusque res et
rationes, quoad poteritis, adiuturos; dein honorem eum, quem in vos collaturus (-a) sum,
integrum incolumemque servaturos; postremo studia humanitatis impigro labore culturos
et provecturosnon sordidi lucri causa, nec ad vanam captandam gloriam, sed ut veritas
propagetur et lux eius, qua salus humani generis continetur, clarius effulgeat. Haec vos ex
animi vestri sententia spondebitis ac pollicebimini?
Doctorandi, vel magisterii baccalaureatusve candidati singulatim:
Spondeo ac polliceor.
Promoter:
Itaque iam nihil impedit, quominus honores, quos obtinere cupitis, vobis impertiamus. Ergo
ego promotor rite constitutus (promotrix rite constituta) vos ex decreto ordinis mei [Dr.:
doctores, Mgr.: magistros, Bc.: baccalaureos] creo, creatos renuntio, omniaque [Dr.:
doctoris, Mgr.: magistri, Bc.: baccalaurei] iura ac privilegia in vos confero. In cuius rei
fidem haec diplomata Universitatis Masarykianae sigillo firmata vobis in manus trado.
English text of the Oath
Promoter:
Dear [Dr.: Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Sc.: degree candidates], you have successfully passed the
examinations prescribed by law to test the knowledge of those who wish to attain the
honorary degree of [Dr.: Doctor of Philosophy, M.A.: Master, B.A.: Bachelor]. You now
come before us with the request that we confer upon you at this solemn assembly the
degree for which you are applying. Before that, however, you must first swear an oath that
you will always act with the dignity of the honour that you are to receive requires of you,
and that we also confidently expect of you.
And so, you promise:
Above all, that you will keep this University, at which you have attained [Dr.: the highest
degree of Doctor of Philosophy, M.A.: the degree of Master, B.Sc.: the degree of Bachelor],
forever in grateful memory, and that you will always encourage it to prosper and support
its interests to the best of your abilities;
and that the honour of the degree which I shall confer upon you shall be preserved without
spot or blemish;
and finally, that you will cultivate and develop, with untiring diligence, the study of human
affairs, not for sordid gain or vain glory, but in order that the truth may be spread, and
that its light, in which lies the welfare of the human race, may shine ever more brightly.
Do you pledge yourself to these ends, and promise to keep your oath in good conscience?
Doctoral students or candidates for a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree individually: I pledge
and promise.
Promoter:
So, there is nothing to prevent you from being bestowed the degree you desire to attain.
Therefore, I, the duly appointed promoter, by the authority of my Office, appoint you [Dr.:
Doctors of Philosophy, M.A.: Masters, B.A.: Bachelors], publicly announce your
appointment, and grant you all [Dr.: the rights and privileges pertaining to Doctor of
Philosophy, M.A.: the rights and privileges pertaining to Master, B.A.: the rights and
privileges pertaining to Bachelor]. In witness whereof I place in your hands the following
diplomas bearing the seal of Masaryk University.