Jari Pekka Olavi Vilén honorary doctor of the University of Pécs since 13 December 2012.
The former Ambassador of Finland, His Excellency Jari Pekka Olavi Vilén was nominated for the honorary doctor title by professor Béla Horváth, dean of the Faculty of Illyés Gyula. According to the justification, the Ambassador, during his five years of service (between 2007-2012) found it important to strengthen the more and more diversifying relations between the two countries. Having a degree in pedagogy, His Excellency emphasized the importance of the Finnish-Hungarian language relationship. He helped and supported the foundation of the network of the Finnish Lecturers at the Hungarian universities. He urged the setting up of new sister city relationships and facilitated the developments of the already existing relationships. He enlarged the network of the Honorary Consuls of Finland in Hungary, through which he extended and made the Finnish-Hungarian relations active. As a result of this activity there are honorary consuls working in Pécs and in Szeged these days.
During his service as Ambassador he paid several visits to the Consulate in Pécs and in Szekszárd too, where a larger colony if Finnish people reside. During his visits in Szekszárd he visited the Illyés Gyula Faculty several times and supported the organization of different cultural programmes. His Excellency even gave a lecture during the Finnish Week in Szekszárd.