UBC Reports | Vol. 53 | No. 5 | May 3, 2007

Timepiece 1957

1957: Sopron Students Found a Home at UBC

When the Soviet Union invaded Hungary in 1956, almost 250 faculty, students and their families from the forestry school at the university in Sopron fled to Austria. They set about looking for a more permanent home where students could continue their studies in their native language. Twenty letters were sent around the world asking for help. The University of British Columbia offered to “adopt” the Sopron University of Forestry, one of the oldest and best known forestry universities in Europe, and guaranteed its maintenance for five years until the current students were able to graduate. On Jan. 1, 1957, 14 faculty members and 200 students left for Canada and in September 1957 they began their studies at UBC.

The faculty and students of Sopron have had a lasting impact on Canada, British Columbia and UBC. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of their arrival and their special part in the history of UBC, the UBC Faculty of Forestry is planning a celebration and special events for the university community and general public June 14-16. To learn more, visit: www.forestry.ubc.ca/sopron.