A university is more than just a place of learning. It is a social space characterized by cooperation, dialogue, and mutual respect. At a time when our society is facing complex challenges, from dealing with diversity and social cohesion to new digital communication cultures, it is more important than ever that we at HCU also examine our own sense of identity.

With this cultural code/code of conduct, we are collectively laying a foundation that defines our daily interactions in a transparent, value-based, and forward-looking manner. It is an expression of our aspiration to be a university that acts openly, courageously, and responsibly in research, teaching, administration, and student life.

Our sincere thanks is expressed to the Culture Code Working Group for their dedicated work and intensive engagement with issues that are not always comfortable, but are important precisely because of that. The code is an offer, but also an invitation to all of us to take responsibility and actively shape the culture at our university.

Let us work together to ensure that our HCU remains a place where diversity, respect, and excellence are not mutually exclusive, but rather reinforce each other.