Gérard Mourou, a Physics Nobel Laureate Research Professor, has joined the University of Szeged
After Katalin Karikó, the University of Szeged has another Nobel Prize-winning professor, Professor Gérard Mourou, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018 for his invention of chirped pulse amplification in the field of laser physics. On April 11, 2024, in the framework of a conference, in the presence of Professor László Rovó, rector of SZTE, and Minister of Culture and Innovation János Csák, Professor Mourou signed his research professor contract with the University of Szeged.
After winning the Nobel Prize, Professor Gérard Mourou stated several times that in the future he would like to mainly deal with research that serves to solve the global problems facing humanity. One such problem is meeting the ever-increasing energy demand sustainably. In this regard, during a previous visit to Szeged, he stated the following: “We need to find solutions to the issues around energy production, so we are looking for energy that is clean, cheap, and abundant. I myself strongly believe in the future of nuclear energy, but for this, the arising safety questions must be answered. I have long been convinced that the solution lies in ultrashort, ultrahigh-intensity laser pulses.” Another pressing problem related to energy production is the final treatment of accumulated radioactive materials.
In the first row: Zoltán Kónya, Judit Groska, Jean-Pierre Revol, Gérard Mourou, János Csák, Franklin Servan-Schreiber, Judit Fendler. Back row: Michael Hübner, Gábor Szabó, Károly Osvay, Francois Plewinski, László Rovó, László Bódis, Allen Weeks. Photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney
The development of the laser-driven neutron source proposed by professors Mourou and Tajima, which is the main objective of the National Laser Transmutation Laboratory (NLTL) operating at the University of Szeged, can be an important step forward in both areas. The operation of the Laboratory has been continuously supported by Professor Gérard Mourou in recent years, which is marked not only by cooperation but also by five joint publications.
The cooperation becomes even more practical by the fact that Professor Mourou, accepting the offer of the SZTE management, will assist the work of the SZTE and primarily the NLTL as a research professor at the University of Szeged from May 1, 2024. The relevant contract was signed by Professor Mourou on April 11, 2024, in a ceremonial setting in the presence of László Rovó, rector of SZTE, and János Csák, Minister of Culture and Innovation.
Our previous article: Gérard Mourou, Nobel laureate physicist, was a guest at ELI ALPS
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Tamerlan Mendybayev – Faculty of Agriculture
My name is Tamerlan Mendybayev. I am from capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan. Currently I am first year student at the Faculty of Agriculture. I chose the University of Szeged as my study destination for several reasons: firstly, it is a well-known applied science institution in Europe and the best in Hungary. Secondly, the program is designed with a significant focus on the developing practical skills of the students and there is a University pilot farm where students keen their skills and implement their knowledge in practice. Undoubtedly, University of Szeged is a place where students become professionals in their academic field.
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I am Ahmad Adha from Indonesia and currently a 3rd year student in Theoretical Linguistics PhD program. I chose the University of Szeged (SZTE) as my study destination because it is located in the center of the town and it is also the highest ranked university in Hungary. The university staff and the professors were very accommodating and understanding when I decided to change the program that suits my research topic. I am so glad that I can be a part of my current department, and of course SZTE, since it is also the Center of Pragmatic Research which aims to promote advanced linguistic pragmatic research with international collaborations. After graduating, I wish to continue to work in my academic field as a professor and a researcher. My advice for prospective SZTE students is to choose a university with a good academic reputation that fits their passion.
