Inauguration and installation of Prof. Szöllösi-Nagy, Rector of UNESCO-IHE

A native of Hungary, Szöllösi-Nagy holds a Doctorate of Science in hydrology and stochastic systems, a PhD in water sciences, and a Doctorem Habilem in hydrology and water resources, the latter two from Budapest University of Technology.

The Inaugural Address of the new Rector traced some of the very interesting, if somewhat convoluted, history of hydrological modeling. He also presented a number of challenges relating to predicting extreme weather events such as floods and flood-related damage. As always, he managed to employ a degree of irreverent humor while discussing scholarly - and for some, complicated - scientific content, keeping both the academic and non-academic audience engaged.

After the Inaugural Address the former Rector, Professor Richard Meganck, passed the academic authority of the Institute's Beadle and Beadle Staff to the care of the new Rector. This short symbolic ceremony transferred both the authority and the responsibility of the academic excellence of the Institute to the new Rector.

After the formal ceremony, all those present were invited to join the more informal celebratory reception. At the reception, several people spoke a few words of congratulations, including Mr. Verkerk, the Mayor of Delft, and Mr. Alberto Tejada-Guibert - the Director of the Division of Water Sciences and the Secretary of IHP at UNESCO, and an alumnus of the Institute - representing the Director General of UNESCO.