Few healthcare institutions in Hungary can claim to have met both the international ISO 9001:2015 quality management standard and Hungary’s MEES 2.0 healthcare quality requirements in a single audit. Fewer still have achieved this while undergoing a comprehensive review of a large, multi-campus university organization. The University of Szeged has now done exactly that. Following the comprehensive audit conducted in June and July 2026, the auditors recommended the renewal of the University’s certification.
“This represents far more than administrative compliance,” said Prof. Dr. Ildikó Csóka, Director-General for Strategy and Development at the University of Szeged. “The audit covered the University’s entire Integrated Quality Management System, including the operations of the Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, the University’s central financial management and administrative units, the Klebelsberg Library and Archives, and all relevant sites, including the Multidisciplinary Centers in Szentes and Deszk. The auditors evaluated the work of more than 6,000 employees, as well as clinical care, diagnostic and nursing services, health visitor services, research and development, continuing professional education, and the supporting operational processes.”
The Director-General added that the greatest achievement may lie not in the certificate itself, but in the audit findings. The auditors identified no nonconformities and concluded that the University’s management system operates effectively and complies with the applicable international standard. They also found that it supports the institution in meeting all relevant legal and professional requirements, is fit for achieving its organizational objectives, and has demonstrated its effectiveness across every area examined.
Several SZTE initiatives recognized as best practices
A particularly significant outcome of the audit was the positive assessment of the University’s ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS). This is especially important in light of the increasingly stringent information security and cybersecurity requirements introduced under the NIS2 Directive. The audit confirmed that the University has established a structured, well-governed, and continuously improving approach to information security – an essential foundation for a modern institution operating in healthcare, education, and research.
Photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney
The audit report highlights numerous strengths that go beyond formal compliance. It commends the University’s leadership for its commitment to quality, its internationally recognized culture of excellence, its modern performance evaluation system, and its deliberate integration of excellence models into day-to-day operations.
The auditors also identified several SZTE initiatives as industry benchmarks, describing them as examples that other institutions could follow. These include bringing previously outsourced operational functions back under the University’s management and the successful integration of the Szentes campus, a process that has been embraced by both employees and the local community. The report also cites the University’s human resources system, advances in clinical auditing, commitment to patient safety, internal communication, and improvements to food services as exemplary practices.
The successful outcome of the audit reflects the collective efforts of all participating University units and employees. The auditors’ positive findings clearly demonstrate the SZTE’s shared commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
Photo: Anna Bobkó
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“The successful audit confirms that the University of Szeged operates on the basis of well-designed, robust management systems that meet international standards and increasingly stringent professional requirements. Standardized practices in information security, quality management, and healthcare not only ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, but also strengthen the University’s position as a trusted partner in national and international research collaborations while enabling it to provide high-quality services to its patients, students, and partners,” said Prof. Dr. Zoltán Kónya, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs and Innovation at the University of Szeged.
Naturally, an audit of this kind serves not only as an evaluation, but also as a roadmap for further development. The report includes numerous recommendations for enhancing quality management, patient safety, internal auditing, IT governance, and clinical processes. This underscores that quality management is not a one-time exercise, but a process of continuous improvement. At the same time, the audit results demonstrate that the University’s integrated management system – spanning the entire organization – provides a solid foundation for further strengthening quality, safety, and organizational excellence.
Implementing the ISO 50001 energy management standard
The University of Szeged’s commitment to quality-focused operations is further demonstrated by its ongoing implementation of an ISO 50001-compliant Energy Management System alongside its existing ISO 9001 Quality Management System and ISO 27001 Information Security Management System. The new system is designed to continuously monitor, analyze, and optimize energy use, thereby improving operational efficiency, supporting the achievement of sustainability goals, and reducing the University’s environmental impact.
The initiative aligns closely with the University’s integrated management approach and reflects its commitment to adopting international best practices not only in quality management, but also in energy efficiency and sustainable operations.
Source: SZTEinfo
Feature photo: The University of Szeged's quality management certification was successfully renewed following a comprehensive audit.
Photo: Anna Bobkó
