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.

Széchenyi István University plays a vital role in the region, not only through its educational and research endeavours but also by supporting the local community. During September’s floods, hundreds of students and staff, both Hungarian and international, volunteered to assist the North Transdanubian Water Directorate. The University also housed water management experts from across the country in its Győr on-campus Halls of Residence.  Academic Day, postponed due to prioritizing flood relief efforts, was held on 22 November.

The delayed Academic Day ceremony was held in the packed atrium of the University’s Új Tudástér building. (Photo: Dudás Máté)

“The strength of our institution lies in its unique community, exemplified by the outstanding contributions of our awardees. This community enables us to enhance the region's competitiveness through high-quality education, research, and innovation,” remarked Prof Dr Ferenc Friedler, Rector and Vice President for Scientific Affairs at Széchenyi István University, during his opening address. Reflecting on the past year, Prof. Friedler highlighted key milestones, including the completion of the first phase of the Győr Innovation Park, the Zalaegerszeg Innovation Park, and the inaugural building of the MedTech Health Technology Campus. 

He outlined three metrics by which the university’s performance is assessed: its rankings on international lists, its influence across academic and professional fields worldwide, and the excellence of its teaching staff. “In the Times Higher Education interdisciplinary rankings, our University is among the top 600 universities globally and ranks as the third-best higher education institution in Hungary. We are proud that Széchenyi István University now appears on eight major international ranking lists,” he stated.

The Rector highlighted the achievements of the students, noting that the SZEnergy student team won the world's largest energy efficiency competition for the third time this year, setting a world record and surpassing Europe’s top technical universities by a wide margin. He also added that an example of professorial excellence is the fact that the University currently has five researchers who, according to scientometric rankings, rank among the best in the world in their fields.

Awards and Recognitions

Following the opening remarks, the presentation of the University’s prestigious awards took place.

The University expressed its gratitude with the Board of Governors’ Gold Level Certificate of Recognition, awarded to István Ágoston Láng, Director General of the National Water Directorate, and József Németh, Director of the North Transdanubian Water Directorate, for their exemplary leadership in coordinating effective flood management efforts. This honour was also bestowed upon Dr Ferenc Szunyogh, a retired member of the teaching staff and graphic artist; Dr Ibolya Zsoldos, Professor at the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering; and Péter Hegedüs, Head of the University Library and Archives and coach of the dragon boat team.

An honorary doctorate was conferred upon Prof Dr Péter Halmai, a Széchenyi Prize-winning scholar and educator internationally renowned for his contributions to international economics, macroeconomics, comparative economics and agricultural economics.

Professor Dr Péter Halmai received an honorary doctorate from the university leadership. (Photo: Máté Dudás)

The Barényi Professorship, awarded to industry professionals who contribute to the university’s research and educational activities, was granted to Robert Buttenhauser. Recognized for his exceptional contributions to innovation and industrial development, Buttenhauser has served as a board member responsible for engine production at Audi Hungaria since 2021. He played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s production portfolio, facilitating numerous successful projects and collaborations between Audi and the university.

During the ceremony, Robert Buttenhauser emphasized the strong connection between Audi Hungaria and the University. (Photo: András Adorján)

At the event, professorial titles were conferred upon two members of the teaching staff of  the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Transport Sciences: Dr Attila Borsos and Dr Majid Movahedi Rad. The latter also received the prestigious Hegedűs Gyula Scientific Scholarship for 2024.

Dr Attila Borsos…

…and Dr Majid Rad Movahedi are new professors at the University. (Photos András Adorján)

The Senate of Széchenyi István University awarded the title of Honorary Master Lecturer to Szabolcs Kozma, head of the Pannonhalma Branch of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Pedagogical Service; to József Kóbor, retired engineering instructor from the University and to Dr Attila Dernóczi, Head of Department at the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Government Office. The title of Honorary University Associate Professor was presented to Dr Zoltán Drucskó, secretary to the board at IKR Agrár Kft.; to Magdolna Czikkelyné Kovács, managing director of NewCode Kft.; and the title of Honorary University Professor was awarded to Dr Zsolt Pádár, owner and managing director of Genexpert Kft., as well as to Dr Patrick Heinecke, former board member of Audi Hungaria overseeing finance, IT, procurement, and compliance, and currently CFO of Volkswagen China.

Dr Patrick Heinecke, Chief Financial Officer of Volkswagen China, travelled from Beijing to attend the ceremony in Győr. (Photo: Máté Dudás)

The Pro Universitate Award was presented to Katalin Németh, Head of Educational and Scientific Cooperations at Audi Hungaria, and Dr Adél Nagy, Director of the Győr District Education Centre. This award is bestowed upon individuals whose outstanding teaching, scientific, or other professional activities, along with exemplary personal conduct, significantly contribute to the realization of the University's objectives and enhance its reputation.

The Pro Educatione Award recognizes educators whose exceptional professional achievements foster effective collaboration across faculties and academic disciplines. The award was given to Dr Anikó Benyák, Vice Dean for Education at the Apáczai Csere János Faculty of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences and Head of the Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, and Dr Szabolcs Szalai, Vice Dean for Education at the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering and Head of the Department of Vehicle Manufacturing and Technology.

The University Governing Board honoured Dr Anikó Husz, Senior Master Lecturer, with the István Bakonyi Outstanding Educator Award. The Outstanding Mentor Award was presented to Dr Judit Berkes, Associate Professor at the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Economics; Dr Ernő Horváth, Research Fellow at the Vehicle Industry Research Centre; Péter Kőrös, Research Engineer at the Vehicle Industry Research Center; and Nikoletta Vitinger, Senior Advisor at the Mosonmagyaróvár Student Affairs Division of the Educational Administration Directorate.

The title of Distinguished Citizen of the University was awarded to Gábor Horváth, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture, Civil, and Transport Engineering, and Dr Attila Koppány, Professor Emeritus of Széchenyi István University.

The Outstanding Staff Award was conferred upon Mária Nagy, Librarian at the University Library and Archives; Mónus Imréné, Training Specialist at the Centre for Adult Education and Skills Development; Paul Rogerson, Advisor at the Centre of International Programmes and Alumni as well as Krisztina Judit Keil and Csaba Gyula Lovász, staff members of Uni-Famulus Ltd in Mosonmagyaróvár.

The University’s leadership, trade union, and Student Union jointly recognized Dr Emese Bukor, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Language and Culture, with the Award for Contributions to the University Community for her community-building efforts. The Student-Friendly University Award was presented to Szilvia Máté-Németh, Halls of Residence Specialist at the Centre for Student Services and Halls of Residence.

Doctoral and Habilitation Awards

Graduates of the Multidisciplinary Doctoral School of Engineering Sciences who took their doctoral oaths include György Istenes, Mehran Amini and Eszter Sós. From the Doctoral School of Regional- and Business Administration Sciences, Alex Suta; from the Doctoral School of Law and Political Sciences, Dr Júlia Lengyel and from the Wittmann Antal Multidisciplinary Doctoral School of Plant, Animal, and Food Sciences, Róbert Szilárd Kádár, Miklós Marcel Posgay and Levente Vörös also received their degrees. 

According to the decision of the University Habilitation Council, six individuals fulfilled the requirements of the habilitation process. Four of them received their certificates at the ceremony: Dr Ákos Botond Bertók in the field of Information Science, Dr Boglárka Balassa in Management and Organizational Sciences, as well as Dr Eszter Zsédely and Dr Nóra Gombkötő in Animal Sciences.

Photo Gallery of the Ceremony (Photos by András Adorján and Máté Dudás)