Hungary’s National Academy of Scientist Education held its 25th Meeting of Nobel Laureates and Talented Students in Szeged, marking a milestone year for the long-standing initiative. The event has expanded to such an extent that it has outgrown the University of Szeged’s József Attila Study and Information Center and was relocated to the Pick Arena, where nearly 4,000 students and teachers gathered for this year’s program. After the opening remarks, the audience heard a lecture by Sir Peter Ratcliffe, the British cell biologist awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – a recognition he shared with two fellow researchers – for uncovering how cells sense oxygen levels and adapt to changing oxygen availability.

Times Higher Education introduced its Interdisciplinary Science Rankings last year to highlight universities that excel in cutting-edge, cross-field research. In the newly published 2026 edition, the University of Szeged once again demonstrates its research excellence: SZTE ranks among the world’s top 301–350 institutions and stands as Hungary’s leading university in the rapidly developing domain of interdisciplinary research.

With the grand auditorium of the University of Szeged’s József Attila Study and Information Center bathed in festive lights, the JATE Award made its debut on November 15, 2025, at an illustrious gala event. Established to honor tradition while also embracing a spirit of renewal, the new recognition was presented to three outstanding members of the university community: Márton Simon Czikkely, Ágota Tóth, and Mihály Ilia. Personal recollections and heartfelt tributes from the award’s founder, Nobel laureate Professor Katalin Karikó, transformed the evening into a celebration not only of individual excellence, but also of the shared values that unite the SZTE community.

According to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Sustainability Rankings, the University of Szeged continues to stand out for research excellence, operational performance, and its growing societal contribution to a sustainable future. In the newly released global assessment – which evaluates institutions against key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benchmarks – SZTE again secured a place among the world’s top 2000 universities, ranking 338th worldwide and 161st in Europe. Among the 14 Hungarian institutions featured in the expanding ranking, the University of Szeged took second place this year, trailing the national leader by just 1.1 points.

At the University of Szeged, students can navigate every stage of the innovation process – a message highlighted at SZTE’s 13th Innovation Day, where Katalin Karikó addressed a large audience and reflected on the innovation pathway that ultimately led to her groundbreaking discovery. Held in the Ceremonial Hall of the University’s Main Building, the event also honored this year’s recipients of the SZTE Innovation Award.

The 2025 edition of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) – one of the world’s most prestigious higher education rankings – has been released, confirming the University of Szeged once again as Hungary’s number one university. SZTE remains the country’s sole representative among the global top 500, with only four Hungarian universities making this year’s list.

Discover the benefits of living and learning in the City of Sunshine!

Szeged, Hungary’s third-largest city, is increasingly popular among international students. Situated near the converging borders of Hungary, Romania, and Serbia, it is often called the “City of Sunshine” and widely regarded as one of the most attractive places to study.