At the University Awards Gala and Media Ball, the most prestigious social event in the region, accolades were presented to the outstanding educators, students, and alumni of Széchenyi István University, as well as the University Innovation Excellence Award. On January 18, the Győr City University Sports Hall was filled with ballgoers attending the event.

This year's University Awards Gala and Media Ball carried the motto "The film rolls on," marking the high point of the ball season and offering unforgettable entertainment for attendees. The theme resonated not only through music and stunning visual effects but also in the opening remarks, where Csaba Káel, the government commissioner for film affairs, highlighted the pivotal role of motion pictures, film production, and the creative industry.

Dr Bálint Filep, President of the host institution, Széchenyi István University, noted in his welcome speech that the University now ranks among the top 5% of universities worldwide and holds prominent positions on eight global higher education rankings. "Among our 14,000 Hungarian students, we also host 1,000 international students from nearly 80 countries. Additionally, our students, teaching staff and colleagues are involved in more than 100 enterprises and intellectual property ventures," he said. He emphasized that the University's foremost mission is to serve society and the economy. To this end, it collaborates with businesses to develop technological solutions and educates young people to become successful and fulfilled in life. Dr Filep expressed his pride in Széchenyi University’s exceptional partners and even friends from international, national, and local socio-economic spheres.

Imre Pintér-Péntek, General Vice President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, declared that a knowledge-based economy cannot function without the cooperation of the chamber, businesses and universities.

Csaba Káel, Government Commissioner for Film Affairs, Imre Pintér-Péntek, General Vice President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Dr Bálint Filep, President of the host Széchenyi István University, officially opened the prestigious event. (Photo: András Adorján)

At the event, the Student of the Year 2024 Award was presented to Dániel Szentendrei, a student of the English-taught Vehicle Engineering Master’s programme at Széchenyi István University. Alongside his outstanding academic achievements, he earned first place and a special award at the University's Scientific Student Conference. The young scholar, who has also received several prestigious scholarships, plays a significant role in the SZEngine student engine development team. His scientific publications have appeared in renowned journals. During the past semester, he studied in Germany at the Ingolstadt University of Technology with a Pannonia Student Scholarship.

The Student of the Year 2024 Award was won by Dániel Szentendrei. He received the award from Dr Dávid Fekete, Regional Representative of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium’s Centre in Győr; Dr Zsolt Kovács, Vice President for General Affairs and Education at Széchenyi István University; Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International and Strategic Relations; and Prof. Dr Ferenc Friedler, Vice President for Scientific Affairs and Rector of the University. (Photo: András Adorján)

The Educator of the Year 2024 Award was presented to Dr Roland Kelemen, Head of the Department of Modern Technologies and Cybersecurity Law at the Deák Ferenc Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. An associate professor and recipient of multiple prestigious scientific scholarships, Dr Kelemen is recognized not only for his research achievements but also for his outstanding mentorship in talent development. He has significantly enriched the literature on Hungarian legal history, military and defense administration law, and cybersecurity through numerous studies and publications. At his initiative and under his leadership, the faculty launched unique cybersecurity law training programmes in Hungary.

Dr Roland Kelemen was awarded the Educator of the Year 2024 Award (Photo: András Adorján)

The International Student of the Year 2024 Award was presented to Nurullah Bektaş, a Turkish doctoral student at the University's Multidisciplinary Technical Sciences Doctoral School and a recipient of the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. He mentors and teaches international students in the Department of Structural Engineering and Geotechnics. Bektaş is an active member of several international professional organizations and the author of numerous prestigious scientific publications.

The International Student of the Year 2024 Award was awarded to Turkish student Nurullah Bektaş. (Photo: András Adorján)

The International Educator of the Year 2024 Award was presented to Dr Eszter Kazinczy, an assistant professor at the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Economics. Through her exemplary scientific work, she strengthens the university's academic reputation both in Hungary as well as internationally. Her contributions significantly advance the international discourse on financial sector research. She teaches economics-related subjects at a high level in several English-taught programmes for both Hungarian and international students and serves as a programme mentor in the International Economy and Business Master’s programme.

The International Educator of the Year 2024 Award was presented to Dr Eszter Kazinczy. (Photo: András Adorján)

The Alumnus of the Year 2024 award was presented to Valér Pausits, who earned his mechanical engineering degree at Széchenyi University and later completed the “Executive MBA Manager” programme at the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Economics. The company he now leads, Verarbeiten Pausits Kft., which manufactures steel products and employs 200 people, is an outstanding example of successful generational transition, dynamic growth, development as well as the implementation of international acquisitions and innovations.

The Alumnus of the Year 2024 Award was received by Valér Pausits. (Photo: András Adorján)

Guo Shaofeng, a former Chinese student who graduated from the University’s Bachelor’s programme in Vehicle Engineering and Master’s programme in Supply Chain Management, was awarded the International Alumnus of the Year 2024 Award at the event. As a technical and process engineer for BYD, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer, he played a significant role in the design and production of over 60 electric buses in Hungary, 13 of which are operating in Győr, contributing to the advancement of green transportation. This award was also presented to Amandeep Singh, a former student from India who completed the University’s Vehicle Engineering Master’s programme with outstanding academic results under the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. During his Master’s studies, he worked as an intern at Audi Hungaria, where he applied his theoretical knowledge to practical tasks, particularly in model-based system design. After earning his degree, he began his career as a development engineer at the company. Both awardees have played exceptional roles not only in their professional activities but also in community building.

The International Alumnus of the Year 2024 Award was shared by two recipients: Guo Shaofeng from China and Amandeep Singh from India. (Photos: András Adorján)

The University awarded the University Innovation Excellence Award to the SZEnergy Team for their achievements in the development and application of energy-efficient technologies, as well as their high-level activities promoting sustainable mobility. Established in 2007, Széchenyi István University's student competition team won the Shell Eco-marathon, Europe’s most prestigious energy efficiency competition, in 2022, 2023 and 2024, setting world records each time, surpassing the continent's most renowned technical universities. They currently hold the world record, as their vehicle can travel 309 kilometres with just 1 kilowatt-hour of energy. The SZEnergy Team is also leading in the development of autonomous systems, as evidenced by their first-place finish in this category last year.

The University Innovation Excellence Award was earned by Széchenyi István University's world record-holding student team, the SZEnergy TEAM. The award was received by team leader Balázs Für. (Photo: András Adorján)

At the event, the Media Personality of the Year Award was presented to András Stohl, actor and television and radio host.

András Stohl, actor and television and radio host, proudly said he was very pleased to receive the awarded prize. (Photo: András Adorján)

During the lively evening, performers such as cellist and violinist Jávorkai brothers, the Győr Ballet, the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra, Szandi, opera singers Marcell Bakonyi and Zsófia Nagy, Puskás Peti, Áron Kovács, DJ Kényelmes, 64U, the Hoppáré Band, and comedian Péter Janklovics took the stage. The hosts of the evening were renowned television personalities Ramóna Lékai-Kiss and Gábor Gönczi.

The event was also attended by distinguished guests, including H.E. Mr Partha Satpathy, Ambassador of India to Hungary and Bosnia Herzegovina, Dr Ádám Schmidt, Secretary of State for Sport, Ádám Kiss, President of the National Research, Development, and Innovation Office, Magdalena Marzec, Regional Director at Times Higher Education (THE), Yemi Adeshiyan, Director of “Global Events” at THE, as well as television presenter Nóra Ördög, who arrived with her husband, photographer Pál Nánási.