The University of Szeged officially opened the 2026/2027 academic year with a ceremonial Senate session held on September 4 in the Congress Hall of the József Attila Study and Information Center. University leaders and distinguished guests welcomed SZTE’s new students at the ceremony, which also included the traditional presentation of honors and professional awards and the ceremonial oath taken by first-year students. Rector Prof. Dr. László Rovó reflected on the achievements of his two terms in office, while Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély, the new Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the University of Szeged, affirmed his commitment to restoring the University’s full autonomy in the wake of recent higher education policy changes introduced by Hungary’s new government.
In keeping with tradition, the opening ceremony for the 2026/2027 academic year began with a flag-bearing procession of professors and university leaders in ceremonial robes. Accompanied by brass musicians, they made their way from the University of Szeged’s main building on Dugonics Square to the József Attila Study and Information Center, where they gathered for a group photo before proceeding to the Congress Hall.
Following the Hungarian national anthem and Ode to Joy, Prof. Dr. László Rovó, Rector of the University of Szeged, formally opened the ceremonial Senate session. He welcomed the event’s guest of honor, Dr. Bulcsú Benedek, State Secretary for Public Administration at the Ministry of Education and Children’s Affairs; Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the University of Szeged; Dr. Judit Fendler, Chancellor of the University of Szeged; and other distinguished guests.
Guests included representatives of Csongrád-Csanád and Békés counties, the City of Szeged, and the healthcare, judicial, law enforcement, education, and business sectors, along with representatives of the University’s partner organizations. The ceremony also gave special prominence to first-year students, who formally joined the University in the presence of the Senate and members of SZTE’s academic community.
Prof. Dr. László Rovó: Investing in the University’s future
At the academic year opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. László Rovó delivered his ninth opening address on behalf of the University of Szeged, focusing on the achievements of his two terms as rector.
“When we began in 2018, we could not have known what global and regional challenges would emerge over the years that followed, spanning nearly a decade. I was certain, however, that our historical legacy would serve as a compass, providing clear direction for our plans and our work. Looking back at the results of these two terms, we can now assess how well we lived up to those expectations during a period marked by a global pandemic, wars, social uncertainty, and technological changes that had once seemed unimaginable,” the Rector began.
According to Prof. Dr. László Rovó, student enrollment is one of the clearest indicators of the University’s growth. In 2018, fewer than 20,000 students were enrolled at the University of Szeged; today, that figure exceeds 25,000. Around 5,000 of them come from more than 100 countries, reflecting the University’s increasingly international student community. Against this backdrop, the rector extended a special welcome to the new international students attending the ceremony, who represent 46 countries.
“We achieved this 25 percent increase in student enrollment despite highly unfavorable demographic trends, while also approaching the University’s estimated maximum teaching capacity. This would have been unimaginable without the continuous development of our teaching and research infrastructure.”
Prof. Dr. László Rovó, Rector of the University of Szeged, welcomes the University’s new international students. Photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney
According to Rector Prof. Dr. László Rovó, despite increasingly constrained circumstances, the University made significant investments across more than 100 areas. The buildings of the Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences underwent extensive renovations, while the Ilona Banga Health Sciences Education Center was completed, adding nearly 10,000 square meters of modern teaching space. The Petőfi Building of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences was also renovated.
At the Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, long-standing infrastructure needs were addressed through modernization projects and equipment upgrades financed largely from the University’s own resources. These developments included the establishment of an Infectious Diseases Clinic, a new wing for the Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, and a new building for the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
“Thanks to advances in robotic surgery, we have finally positioned ourselves at the forefront of innovation in international healthcare,” the Rector continued. “Robotic orthopedic surgery is already in use, and we are now integrating the latest technologies in soft-tissue surgery. These cutting-edge advances in robotics form an integral part of the strategic modernization of the Cardiology Center and the Department of Surgery. We have also succeeded in finding a long-term solution to the challenges facing the University’s pediatric surgery and pediatric emergency care services.”
“There is no doubt, however, that we still have work ahead of us. Despite all our efforts, we were unable to modernize the building of the Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, upgrade the operating rooms of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, or provide a new building for the Faculty of Pharmacy. It is encouraging, however, that we were able to settle the legal status of the former municipal hospital buildings and the so-called MÁV site [a former Hungarian State Railways property], giving the University’s next leadership considerable scope for further development.”
Prof. Dr. László Rovó emphasized that the University consistently reinvested in its future, drawing on most of the additional funding made available through its structural transformation as well as revenue from research, development, and innovation.
“Among the most important examples are our highly effective Advanced Core Facilities (ACFs), which bring together internationally competitive research and innovation infrastructure in fields aligned with the University’s strategic strengths. These facilities support scientific excellence, education, and industry partnerships alike. I am convinced that by combining our traditionally strong research fields with cutting-edge technologies, we have created the conditions for breakthroughs that could ultimately lead to a Nobel Prize. Key components of this infrastructure include the University of Szeged Biobank and the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Center, inaugurated in the fall of 2025, which is unique in Hungary and currently ranks among the best facilities of its kind in the world. It is no exaggeration to say that this state-of-the-art equipment opens up entirely new possibilities for research in molecular biology, materials science, and medicine. These capabilities are further strengthened by our new supercomputer, optimized for artificial intelligence. Together, these developments have laid the groundwork for internationally recognized achievements, including the prestigious Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge Programme grant awarded to our researchers.”
The Rector also highlighted the continued development of the University of Szeged’s Center of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation (IKIKK), together with major infrastructure investments, as part of broader efforts to optimize the University’s operations. Unique in Hungary, IKIKK brings together and supports the University’s leading researchers, research activities, and projects. The University of Szeged also established the Center of Excellence for Education, which is tasked with shaping the future of education, with particular emphasis on the use of artificial intelligence.
“These developments also help explain why we rank among Hungary’s leading universities, even as we compete with institutions that have significantly larger budgets and student populations than ours. In one of the world’s most prestigious university rankings, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), we climbed more than 150 places in a single year and have ranked first among Hungarian universities for the past three years. Taking our size into account, I believe we can confidently describe ourselves as one of the best, if not the best, universities in the country,” Rector Prof. Dr. László Rovó emphasized.
Dr. Bulcsú Benedek: Critical thinking and responsible decision-making
As the second speaker at the opening ceremony, Dr. Bulcsú Benedek, State Secretary for Public Administration at the Ministry of Education and Children’s Affairs, outlined the government’s plans for higher education. He said that the planned phasing out of public-interest asset management foundations (KEKVA) would create an opportunity for universities to regain greater autonomy over their own governance and future development.
“We believe in university autonomy and in a system where knowledge and responsibility go hand in hand. We want a higher education system in which the voices of local communities and freedom of expression carry real weight, with senates, boards of trustees, and representative bodies bearing particular responsibility. We want higher education institutions that teach students to think critically and make responsible decisions, institutions where critical thinking is encouraged rather than constrained, and where the opportunity to develop one’s talents does not depend on origin, family background, or place of birth, but is open to everyone willing to work for it,” the state secretary emphasized.
Dr. Bulcsú Benedek said that grant agreements for Erasmus mobility applications already approved by universities maintained by foundations could soon be signed. “The Ministry, the Tempus Public Foundation, and the relevant European Union authorities are working to ensure that, in 2027, students, staff, and faculty across Hungarian higher education will once again have the opportunity to participate in Erasmus,” he added.
Dr. Bulcsú Benedek, State Secretary for Public Administration at the Ministry of Education and Children’s Affairs. Photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney
The state secretary also welcomed the announcement that EUGLOH, the European university alliance of which the University of Szeged is a member, was among the 20 alliances selected in the latest 2026 call under the Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the University on the successful and exemplary work it has carried out within the alliance since its launch,” Dr. Bulcsú Benedek said.
Turning to the University’s new students, Dr. Bulcsú Benedek, himself a law graduate of the University of Szeged, emphasized that membership in the University community also carries responsibility:
“The idea of responsibility toward one another was already present in medieval university communities. The statutes of the German student community at the University of Bologna, for example, listed brotherly love, mutual solidarity, caring for the sick, and supporting those in need among the community’s aims. So I ask you: if you see someone being hurt, vulnerable, or left alone, do not look the other way. Reach out a helping hand, offer your support, and look for ways to ease their difficulties and make their lives better,” the state secretary concluded.
Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély: The full restoration of autonomy
Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély, a literary historian, former Dean of the University of Szeged’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and a prominent critic of the University’s transition to a foundation-based governance model, also addressed the audience at the academic year opening ceremony, now in his new capacity as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the University of Szeged:
“Those who know me and remember the past few years are well aware that I have opposed the transition to a foundation-based model from the outset. As a member of the University Senate, I made my objections quite clear at several Senate meetings, arguing that education, including higher education, is a responsibility of the state and that transferring it to private foundations beyond effective state control is a fundamentally misguided approach that can easily have serious consequences. My position on this has not changed,” Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély said.
Professor Szajbély also acknowledged that the years the University had spent under the foundation-based governance model had by no means been a period of stagnation.
“The outgoing Board of Trustees also played a role in this. It took seriously its commitment not to interfere in the University’s operations beyond fulfilling its responsibilities as the University’s governing foundation. It did not seek to dominate the University or make decisions that would have disrupted its structure or day-to-day operations. For this, I believe we owe particular thanks to the outgoing Chair, Professor Gábor Szabó.”
At this point, the audience responded with spontaneous applause.
At the same time, Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély expressed his conviction that the favorable composition of the outgoing Board of Trustees was also partly due to the fact that, in 2021, the University Senate “did not passively accept the change in governance model.”
“It was also clear to the government at the time that support for the transition was far from unanimous in Szeged. By then, it had learned enough from earlier attempts to introduce similar changes, including the controversies surrounding the transformation of the University of Theater and Film Arts, to avoid creating another conflict of that kind. As a result, the University of Szeged was able to have a Board of Trustees chaired by a highly respected former rector of the University.”
Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély, the new Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the University of Szeged
Although the University community may be satisfied with the work of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély noted that the autonomy respected by the Board had “already been limited from the outset.” He added that the erosion of university autonomy had been a long-term process dating back to the early 2010s. Professor Szajbély expressed the hope that the new government is committed not only to fully restoring university autonomy and safeguarding academic freedom, but also to moving beyond the conditions that existed in 2021 and developing a new model for higher education.
“I believe this is an endeavor that all of us should support. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the University of Szeged will certainly support the new government in this work,” the new Chair said.
Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély emphasized that the responsibilities and powers of the new boards of trustees differ from those of their predecessors. Based on the information available to him so far, he said that two main areas of responsibility are emerging:
“The first, and the most important from the Ministry’s perspective, is to review the operations of the previous foundations and facilitate that process. I have to say that we are unlikely to have much work to do in this respect. The Foundation for the University of Szeged operated with complete transparency, avoided any form of manipulation, questionable business dealings, or improper transactions, and genuinely worked for the benefit of the University. A review will also be conducted in Szeged. The Board of Trustees will support the process using the means at its disposal, while the University will provide the necessary data, but I have no doubts about the outcome. You could say that the Szeged Board of Trustees will have plenty of free time. As for the second area, our responsibility is to carry out the foundation’s institutional duties and ensure the University’s normal operation during this transitional period, since, as we know, the foundation-based model will cease to exist in Hungarian higher education on August 1 next year. Under the revised founding documents, the boards of trustees are neither tasked with nor authorized to interfere in university operations. The newly appointed boards cannot restructure universities’ operations, propose amendments to internal regulations, launch internal reviews, or take action on the basis of their findings. Identifying and addressing any irregularities will be the responsibility of the government authorities overseeing education. Of course, we can make proposals and put forward initiatives, and we will. We intend to play an active role in shaping the new higher education model and, within that framework, in the renewal of the University of Szeged,” Prof. Dr. Mihály Szajbély emphasized.
Honors and awards
Several University honors and awards were presented at the ceremonial Senate session marking the opening of the academic year.
The Instructor of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Andrea Domján, Associate Professor at the Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies; Dr. Norbert Merkovity, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences; and Dr. Ilona Pfeiffer, Vice-Dean for Education at the Faculty of Science and Informatics. The award recognizes instructors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in teaching and student mentoring over several years and who also set an example through their personal and professional conduct.
In addition to her student-centered approach to teaching, Dr. Andrea Domján has played an important role in launching international programs and training the next generation of researchers.
Dr. Norbert Merkovity has taught at the University of Szeged for nearly two decades in the fields of political science, political communication, and the digital public sphere. Through both his teaching and his leadership as department head, he has also contributed to the development of academic programs.
Dr. Ilona Pfeiffer supports students’ professional development through her exemplary work as an instructor and mentor, while also playing a key role in introducing new academic programs and advancing educational development initiatives.
The University of Szeged’s academic year opening ceremony in the Congress Hall of the József Attila Study and Information Center. Photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney
The Young Instructor of the Year Award was presented to three instructors: Dr. Lajos Győrffy, Assistant Professor at the Department of Set Theory and Mathematical Logic, Faculty of Science and Informatics; Dr. Dóra Katalin Szabó-Prievara, Assistant Professor at the Department of Health Psychology and Mental Health, Juhász Gyula Faculty of Education; and Dr. Veronika T. Szabó, Assistant Professor at the Department of Operative and Esthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry. The award recognizes instructors under the age of 40 who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in teaching and student mentoring over several years.
Alongside teaching popular introductory courses, Dr. Lajos Győrffy is actively involved in bringing mathematics to a wider audience. He founded the LEMMA camp for future Hungarian mathematicians and serves as chief organizer of the “Pi Day” events.
Dr. Dóra Katalin Szabó-Prievara has been a member of the Department of Health Psychology and Mental Health for ten years and has developed and taught 20 lecture courses and 30 practical courses.
Dr. Veronika T. Szabó has taught dentistry students in both Hungarian and English since 2018 and also supervises undergraduate theses. Her teaching has previously earned her several professional awards.
The Publication of the Year in Life Sciences Award was presented to Dr. József Maléth, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School. Together with his colleagues, he identified a previously unknown regulatory mechanism independent of neurohormonal stimuli. Published in Current Biology, the findings could provide a new basis for understanding epithelial ion and fluid secretion.
The Publication of the Year in Natural and Technical Sciences Award was presented to Dr. Csaba Tölgyesi, Assistant Professor at the Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science and Informatics. As head of the HUN-REN–SZTE Momentum Applied Ecology Research Group, he has an extensive record of publications and international research activity. His study published in Nature Geoscience also earned him the title of Hungarian National Champion in the Frontiers Planet Prize.
The Publication of the Year in Humanities and Social Sciences Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Péter Kasza, Professor and Head of the Department of Classical Philology and Neo-Latin Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. In his 2025 volume Vier Bücher über die Ereignisse in Ungarn (1540–1546), published in Vienna, Prof. Dr. Kasza presented Wolfgang Lazius’s Latin-language manuscript on Hungary, accompanied by a German-language scholarly commentary and introductory study.
At the ceremony, Zoltán Gergely Kelemen, a correspondent for the Hungarian News Agency (MTI), received the University of Szeged Press Award. The award recognizes journalistic work that contributes to objective reporting on the University, enhances its visibility, and brings its achievements to a wider audience. Kelemen has reported on the University of Szeged’s achievements, developments, and successes for MTI since 2004, helping to bring them to national and international attention.
The University of Szeged Patron Award was presented to Enrawell Kft. The company has collaborated with the University for nearly a decade, supporting geography education through internship opportunities, guest lectures, and student research. A joint academic program development project also seeks to bring academic knowledge and professional practice into closer alignment with labor market needs. The award was accepted by Dr. Gábor Kiss, the company’s Managing Director.
First-year students’ oath
After the awards ceremony, first-year students took their oath before the Senate and members of the University’s academic community, continuing one of the key traditions of the academic year opening ceremony. The Hungarian students were represented by Bianka Bakai, a student at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, and Csanád Tatár, a student at the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School. Representing the University’s international students, Nada Milić and Atila Naeimi Dafchahi, students at the Faculty of Science and Informatics, also took the oath.
Afterward, Rector Prof. Dr. László Rovó formally welcomed a group of first-year students into the University community with a handshake, symbolically extending that welcome to all new students. The students were also welcomed by Dr. Bulcsú Benedek, State Secretary for Public Administration.
The University of Szeged’s new students take their oath at the academic year opening ceremony. Photo: Karina Bartha
Following the oath ceremony, Sándor Szentesi, President of the University of Szeged Student Union (EHÖK), welcomed the students.
As part of the ceremonial program, a woodwind trio from the Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts performed Giuseppe Maria Cambini’s Trio in B-flat Major. The ensemble featured flutist Laura Varga, oboist Györgyi Tóth, and bassoonist Lívia Vizsolyi. Later in the program, Szilveszter Szélpál, a soloist with the Szeged National Theater and an alumnus of the University of Szeged, performed This Is the Moment from the musical Jekyll & Hyde.
The ceremonial Senate session marking the opening of the academic year concluded with the Szózat, a patriotic song often regarded as Hungary’s second national anthem, followed by the recessional of the University’s leaders and distinguished guests.
Dr. Judit Fendler: The power of students
At the reception following the academic year opening ceremony, Dr. Judit Fendler, Chancellor of the University of Szeged, opened her address by emphasizing that a university is a unique institution – one that preserves traditions while also questioning yesterday’s certainties, and whose most important contributions are knowledge, ideas, and healing.
The Chancellor noted that the University of Szeged has undergone remarkable development in recent years, with investments in healthcare, education, and technology extending far beyond a single academic year. These developments, she said, will shape the opportunities available to the 445-year-old institution, the city of Szeged, and the wider region for decades to come.
Dr. Judit Fendler, Chancellor of the University of Szeged, delivers a toast at the academic year opening ceremony. Photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney
The Chancellor pointed out that behind every great idea lies the task of securing the necessary funding – perhaps the most constant element in the division of responsibilities within a university. At the same time, she emphasized that the institution’s true success is measured not in numbers, but in what those resources make possible: new buildings and equipment, higher-quality education, advances in patient care, and opportunities for young people to develop and thrive.
In her address, the Chancellor also outlined some of the major events planned for the coming academic year. Szeged will welcome innovation and technology transfer professionals from the V4 countries, host the gala for the JATE Award founded by Katalin Karikó, and hold the international OneHealth Summit for the health industry. She added that the University’s long-standing credibility and growing interest from industry are rooted in its ability to deliver strong results on its own merits – something also reflected in student feedback and university rankings.
Dr. Judit Fendler emphasized that, alongside highly qualified instructors and continuously improving infrastructure, the University’s true strength lies in students who are eager to create and innovate. Quoting Horace and Kant – “Sapere aude! – Dare to use your own reason!” – she encouraged members of the university community to explore new paths and take risks, stressing that the willingness to accept the possibility of being wrong is also an essential part of scientific progress.
Concluding her toast, the Chancellor expressed the hope that, through the combined efforts of the university community, its partners, and its staff, the institution would have even more reasons to be proud when they gather again a year from now.
University of Szeged professors pose for a ceremonial group photo. Photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney
Original Hungarian article by Sándor Panek and Erzsébet Gajzer
Feature photo: The University of Szeged’s academic year opening ceremony in the Congress Hall of the József Attila Study and Information Center. Photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney
