Dr. Dénes Fodor, the Deputy Dean for Strategic and Industrial Relations at the Faculty of Automotive Engineering of Audi Hungaria, Széchenyi István University, Head of the Department of Power Electronics and Electric Drives, and Scientific Director of the e-Mobility Centre of the Centre for Automotive Research of the University, received the award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of motion control, research and education in automotive engineering. The award was presented by Professor Dr. Levente Kovács, the President of the Hungarian Section of the IEEE and the Rector of Óbuda University. 

Dr. Dénes Fodor, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, with the award (Photo: Márton Horváth)

The prestige of the award is reflected in the fact that the IEEE is the world's largest non-profit technical professional organization promoting the advancement, integration and application of electrical engineering and information technologies for the benefit of engineering society and humanity as a whole. With its nearly half a million members from 160 countries, it inspires a global community through their highly cited publications, prestigious conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities.

"I didn't expect to receive this recognition, but it means a great deal to me to have my work recognised not only by the largest organisation in my profession, but also by a major organisation in the scientific world with a long tradition. The history of the IEEE dates back to 1884, and its beginnings were marked by scientists such as Edison, Bell and Green, and Hungary, which joined after the change of regime, was represented by such renowned scientists as Tibor Vámos, Péter Arató, Tamás Roska, József Bokor, Gábor Péceli academics," said Dr Dénes Fodor. He added that this organisation goes far beyond a community of electrical engineers, as many other disciplines and many branches of science have joined its activities for the benefit of humanity in the fields of technological development, innovation and global sustainability.

The IEEE Award of Excellence

Besides being a lecturer at Széchenyi István University, he himself is involved in the work of the IEEE as the Chair of the Hungarian Section for Industrial Applications and Power Electronics.

"Being asked to fill this position was already a great honour. In this position, I will continue to strengthen the Hungarian engineering community and strive to contribute to the professional development of the membership and to guarantee to have the right future generations," he emphasized. He affirmed that having an IEEE membership offers many benefits, including access to the latest professional advances and the most prestigious conferences, the opportunity to meet the leading researchers in the field, the chance to make friends and build relationships, and the opportunity to publish in the most prestigious scientific journals and professional platforms. “As a lecturer at Széchenyi University, being a member is of great help for me since I have the opportunity to incorporate the latest research findings into the curriculum to ensure that our students receive up-to-date knowledge, thus enabling them to obtain internationally competitive degrees,"  he said.

He also pointed out that the university had carried out a number of research projects that  attracted the attention of the professional world and gained international recognition.

"We have succeeded in finding doctoral topics that have produced breakthrough results in several cases. So we have excellent students and I try to help them as teachers and researchers and to guide them in their professional careers,"

he said. Dr. Dénes Fodor intends to create a Széchenyi student section within the IEEE selecting the best students and making it possible for its active members to join the global professional elite, build invaluable contacts and participate in cross-border programmes. "IEEE does not need members, IEEE needs the best engineers and engineering students," he concluded.

"We are proud that Dénes Fodor is strengthening the community of Széchenyi István University. He plays an important role in linking quality education with research, and in ensuring that our institution's internationally advanced infrastructure in Győr and at the ZalaZONE automotive test track provides a base for practical and innovative R&D activities that contribute to the development of future-oriented technologies. This award is a recognition of this exemplary work, and we cordially congratulate for winning it," 

 said Dr Bálint Filep, the President of Széchenyi István University.