Széchenyi István University hosts a vibrant international student community of nearly 1,000 individuals from around 80 countries. In preparation for the holiday season, the institution organized a gathering titled "Light in World Religions," which proved to be a resounding success among participants.
In the spring of 2024, Széchenyi István University in Győr and the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to promote joint educational, research, and innovation activities within international networks. On December 13, discussions were held between Dr Bálint Filep, President of the University, Prof Dr. Ferenc Friedler, Rector and Vice-President for Scientific Affairs, Kelemen Sárai-Szabó, a board member of the Széchenyi István University Foundation, and Péter Németh, Head of HUN-REN University Centre for International Excellence Network for Universities, along with Dr Balázs Gulyás, President of HUN-REN, Ádám Kiss, President of the National Research, Development, and Innovation Office, Roland Jakab, CEO of HUN-REN, and Krisztina Imrik, Scientific Secretary of HUN-REN. They reviewed past achievements and explored future opportunities for collaboration. They emphasized the success of the partnership, evidenced by the implementation of two international consortium projects in collaboration with prestigious foreign universities and research institutions.
Széchenyi István University played a significant role in the success of ABZ Innovation Kft., a drone development company established three years ago in collaboration with a professional partner and an investment firm. The company’s market success stands as a testament to this partnership. At the end of November, the University sold a substantial portion of its ownership stake in the startup focused on drone development and manufacturing.
The Deák Ferenc Faculty of Law and Political Sciences at Széchenyi István University hosted the inaugural "The Role of States in the 21st Century" conference. Nearly 50 researchers, including from the United States, Czechia, Germany, Slovakia and Poland, presented at the event, addressing the responsibilities and challenges of states within the emerging global order.
An exhibition of the autumn semester works of the architecture students of Széchenyi István University has opened in the lobby of the New Knowledge building of the Institution. At the opening ceremony, the Student of the Year awards were presented and Jenő Molnár, the recently deceased professor of architecture, was also remembered. The event was also the occasion to announce the creative camp for talented young students to be held in Transylvania in the summer of 2025.
Széchenyi István University has maintained an excellent relationship with Jiaxing University in China for years. Beyond the jointly launched English-taught Double Degree BSc Programme in Civil Engineering, the two institutions collaborate in educational, research, and corporate fields. Recently, 15 students from the Asian institution visited Győr to enhance their knowledge in civil engineering through a one-week short study programme.
The concert hall of the Széchenyi István University, the former synagogue of Győr, is a multifunctional cultural space: it is home not only to the music programmes of the Faculty of Design and Performance Arts, but also to numerous exhibitions. In addition to the exhibition entitled Jewish Excellence, which opened in the summer, visitors can also view valuable Győr- and University-themed photographs taken by members of the Hungarian Photographers' Free University Association. According to László Molnár, president of the NGO, the photos show the essence of the city and the institution.
The Automotive Industry Research Centre and the Győr Innovation Park of Széchenyi István University have been awarded the title of "Excellent Research Infrastructure", while the Innovation Park in Zalaegerszeg, as part of the Intelligent Vehicles Research Network, has been awarded the title of "Promising Research Infrastructure Network". This means that three of the research infrastructures certified by the National Research and Innovation Office (NKFIH) are part of the Győr-based institution.
One of the key focuses of Széchenyi István University is sustainability, which it emphasizes in its educational and research and development activities. The University's achievements in this area are reflected in its improved position on the Sustainability Rankings published on 10 December by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a leading international higher education rating organization.
Széchenyi István University achieved outstanding sports results in 2024. In May, it successfully organised the biggest event in Hungarian university sport, and then also excelled in other university championships. The same was true of the world competitions, which saw 20 of the institution's students win the title of University Athlete of the Year.
Dávid Szegletes, an alumnus of Széchenyi István University, is among the few Audi Hungaria employees contributing to Audi Formula Racing GmbH’s preparations for the four-ring brand's Formula 1 debut. Recently returning from the company’s Neuburg development centre to Győr, Dávid was invited to the Formula Student Symposium held at Széchenyi University to share insights about his work as a constructor.
The organizers have announced that the Széchenyi István University will host the 2025 EFOTT Festival. EFOTT, held from July 9–13 next year, has been one of the summer's most popular events for decades, celebrated as the festival for university students. In 2025, it will once again welcome current and former students at Lake Velence for an unforgettable experience.
This year, Széchenyi István University played an active role in the success of Sport Forum Hungary once again, at one of the region's most important sports conferences. In addition to its professional presentations, the institution also presented its health technology developments, mobility-related research and training. At the university's stand, visitors were able to see a car simulator, a mini ECG and even drone football.
The world-renowned Jávorkai brothers will embark on an Advent tour of Japan, joined by the musical students of Széchenyi István University. Their first concert will take place on 7 December at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, performing before an audience of thousands. The violinist and cellist duo, together with the University String Orchestra—comprising talented students—will give 20 performances across Japan, including one for the Imperial Family.
The Sports Association of Széchenyi István University (SZESE) has had an e-sports department since 2019, and the sport has been enjoying uninterrupted popularity among students ever since. Ádám Borkai, the Programme Manager of Uni Pro Sport Kft., which is owned by the institution, seeks out and helps talented young people to achieve better results. His mentoree, Balázs Vén recently won the football video game category of a prestigious international competition.
On 26 November, nearly 500 students presented their research in over 40 sections at the Scientific and Artistic Students’ Conference at Széchenyi István University. The event, which attracted a record number of participants, began with a keynote address by Dr Lajos Mocsai, Professor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sports Sciences. Dr Mocsai, a former head coach of the Hungarian national handball team, spoke about how motivational methods used in sports can enhance scientific performance.
Studying at Széchenyi István University is made much more accessible through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, offered by the Hungarian government. This opportunity is available to young individuals from approximately 100 countries. In addition, the University of Győr provides their own scholarship as well to talented international students facing difficult circumstances.
For the first time, the Department of Legal History of the Deák Ferenc Faculty of Law and Political Sciences at Széchenyi István University hosted an international conference titled “The Age of Empires”. During the three-day programme, researchers from prestigious institutions across six countries discussed the legal, political, and administrative challenges of the century leading up to the First World War in English, German, and French.
Széchenyi István University has signed a strategic agreement with Hunland Service Kft., one of the world’s largest import-export companies in cattle, pigs, sheep, and meat, and its closely affiliated research and development company, reAgro Kft. This partnership, which brings together the University, a major corporation and a startup with university roots, aims to create new opportunities in education, research, development, and innovation.
With the participation of Austrian, Slovak, and Hungarian universities, Széchenyi István University hosted its first-ever conference on industrial and applied mechanics in mid-November. The programme featured high-quality presentations and discussions aimed at fostering collaborative research.
Each year, the Neumann János Computer Science Society awards the Kalmár Prize in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of computer science. This year, Dr. Árpád Tóth, Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics, Finance, and Controlling at Széchenyi István University, and Head of the Economic Research Group on Digital Corporate Reporting at the Vehicle Industry Research Centre, was one of the two recipients of the prestigious award.
Széchenyi István University is organizing a cultural and charitable programme series for the residents of a children's home in Győr, during which its international students present themselves and their home countries. The initiative, titled ‘Me and My Country’, was launched a year ago, and since then the children have had the opportunity to learn about 12 different countries.
The Academic Day at Széchenyi István University, held annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of its namesake, Count István Széchenyi, is the institution’s most prestigious event. Originally scheduled for September, this year's event was postponed to 22 November, due to the University's involvement in flood relief efforts. During the ceremony, new doctoral degrees were conferred, and distinguished awards were presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the University's progress.
For the tenth time, Széchenyi István University organised the Formula Student Symposium for Formula Student racing teams with a record number of 300 participants. The event, held from 15 to 17 November, featured development presentations by renowned engineers from the motorsport and automotive industries to young people from many countries.
Széchenyi István University has been ranked in the 501–600 range in the newly published Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Ranking, released for the first time on 21 November. This achievement reflects the University's world-class infrastructure, significant research income, increasing output across multiple disciplines, and growing academic reputation.
This year again, the Fresher’s and Alumni Ball was the most important autumn event for the students of Széchenyi István University, where more than a thousand students and alumni partied until dawn in the Győr City University Hall. After the swearing-in ceremony and the presentation of the first-year students' badges, György Korda and Klári Balázs, followed by the Suncity Brass, moved the participants, who then rocked to the NECC party's percussive sets until dawn.
Széchenyi István University hosted a professional event based on the linQ Catalyst methodology of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 12 to 14 November. The programme aims to generate health innovations that will contribute to the advancement of medicine and improve people's health.
With cyber-attacks causing billions of dollars of economic damage around the world every year, cybersecurity has become a key issue for public organisations, companies and even individuals. A professional and academic conference on the current issues was organised by Széchenyi István University, where the first educational programme of legal experts in the field was launched in Hungary.
The latest developments, regulatory issues and the sustainability potential of the technology were the focus of the Drone Forum 2024, organised by the Digital Development Centre of Széchenyi István University, Edutus University and Cloud For Intelligent Airplace (CloudIA) Ltd. on 14 November at the Győr Innovation Park. The organisation of the event was inspired by the aim of the current Hungarian Presidency of the European Union to bring together industry leaders, researchers and policy makers to shape the future of drone use.
Last year, the International Conference on Sustainability (COS) of Széchenyi István University was launched with the participation of 150 speakers. 210 researchers and experts from 12 countries presented their research at this year's event, which took place from 6 to 9 November. Among the speakers were renowned scientists such as Dr Christopher Savoie, inventor of the artificial intelligence-based natural language technology used to develop Apple's Siri.
In 2003, the International Symposium on Business Information Science started in Győr, and twenty years later, it returned to Széchenyi István University. The focus of the jubilee programme was on artificial intelligence. Researchers and students from renowned national and international universities and institutes, as well as experts from the companies involved most in the field attended the two-day event.
At the November Job Fair of Széchenyi István University, students had the opportunity to meet directly with the key players in the economic life of the region. Participants were able to learn not only about job offers, but also about the tricks of the application and interview process and even of the possibility of joining the Student Teams of SZE.
Széchenyi István University and the Győr Ballet have signed a cooperation agreement in order to implement a career model for students of dance and to turn young people into dance-loving audiences. The long-term goal of the partnership between the institution and the company, which is 45 years old this year, is to create a regional dance training centre in the region.
Dr Zsolt Szepesváry, Vice-Dean for Development at the Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences of Széchenyi István University, Head of the Urology Department of the Aladár Petz University Teaching Hospital, was recognized in the Hungarian Science category at the Príma Awards ceremony in the former synagogue and concert hall of Széchenyi István University, in Győr-Moson-Sopron County.
Although the open-air season is over for this year, the period from October to April promises to be a busy one at the Bridge Student and Teacher Club of Széchenyi István University: the best Hungarian popular music performers will be playing weekend after weekend at the venue. Fans of rock, rap and alternative genres will be well catered for, but there will also be a boogie-woogie festival, a tribute band playing covers and a special Esti Egyenleg birthday party. Péter Németh-Bende, the manager, said that a number of performances are already booked for next summer.
The Higher Education Social and Economic Cooperation Conference, now in its eleventh year, recently reached another milestone, organized by Széchenyi István University's Department of Road and Railway Vehicles and the Automotive Industry Research Centre. This two-day scientific event, titled “Mobility and Environment”, focused on groundbreaking research in the automotive industry shaping the future.
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János Hollósi, research engineer at the Vehicle Industry Research Centre of Széchenyi István University (second from left) at the AI&Aut Expo (Photo: Bankó József/Paradignow Photography)
Several technological innovations were presented at the Széchenyi István University's stand (Photo: Bankó József Bankó/Paradignow Photography)
Presentation by Ernő Horváth, Head of the Centre for Autonomous Transport Systems at Széchenyi University (Photo: József Bankó/Paradignow Photography)
There was considerable interest in the technological innovations of Széchenyi István University (Photo: Bankó József/Paradignow Photography).webp "Light in World Religions: International Students Unite for the Holidays at SZE")
.webp "SZE Research Units Earn Top Honours")
.webp "Motivational Lecture by Lajos Mocsai Opens Scientific and Artistic Students’ Conference at SZE")
.webp "SZE Teams Up with Alumni Startup and Industry Partner")
.webp "First international mechanical conference organized by SZE concluded successfully")
.webp "Dr. Árpád Tóth, receives the Kalmár Prize from the Neumann Society")
%20(14)%20(Adorjan_Andras).webp "Fresher’s Ball Brings the Party of the Year to SZE")
.webp "SZE Drives Health Innovations with Catalyst Europe Programme")
.webp "Students Explore Career Opportunities at SZE’s Job Fair")
.webp "THE Bridge Club Keeps the Beat Going: Concerts Every Weekend this Winter at SZE")
