The Foundation Stone for the New Block of the Medical School Has Been Laid
The plans have been completed, the construction permit has been obtained, and the foundation work has already begun: on 7 December, it was time for the foundation stone of the new Education and Research block of the Medical Faculty – to be built within the framework of the Modern Cities Programme – to be laid.
The foundation and the time capsule was ceremonially laid by State Secretary for Education Dr. József Bódis, Rector of the University of Pécs Dr. Attila Miseta, Mayor of Pécs Dr. Zsolt Páva, Chancellor Zoltán Jenei, Dean Dr. Miklós Nyitrai and ZÁÉV CEO Imre Peresztegi.
Background
The government of Hungary has opened a source of funds amounting to 24 bn forints for the University of Pécs within the framework of the Modern Cities Programme, the purpose of which is to enhance the competitiveness of the university, to provide infrastructure for increasing the number of students, to improve the quality of education and to increase the number of foreign students. 'The laying of this foundation stone has a huge symbolic meaning', Zsolt Páva, the mayor of the town, remarked.
Even better for the future
'Even more opportunities'; that is what the event means briefly according to Miklós Kásler minister of Human Resources. State secretary for education and former rector of UP Dr. József Bódis also added that though medical training in Pécs is a century old, the last three decades has introduced internationalization. The building complex still used originally was designed for the training of 200 strong years, but there have not been less than 600 students during the past few years.
Rector Attila Miseta said, 'It is not the strength of the walls that makes a university great, but walls are nevertheless important.” This development is not without precedent. Dr. Miseta also referred to the collaboration of former deans Péter Németh and Balázs Sümegi, and also thanked everybody that has contributed to this development, including the lecturers of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. He did acknowledge that the construction may cause some inconvenience, adding that it is for the sake of higher quality education. The head of the University also emphasized that this is only one of the elements of the Modern Cities Programme. (For further information on MCP, see: http://www.pte360.hu).
Foundation stone and time capsule
Just like the Modern Cities Programme, the foundation stone itself is extraordinary: it was produced by the 3D Centre of UP by means of 3D printing, in reference to the connections of science and technology; and the surface evoking the structure of magnified human tissue symbolizes the relationship between the university and its environment and the significance of connections. Those who were lucky could obtain a small piece of 3D printing similar to the foundation stone.
As for the time capsule, besides the blueprints, the urn contains another special item; the recording “Home” by the band Halott Pénz.
The work of those constructing the building was blessed by vicar general Dr. Frigyes Kvanduk.
What will we able to see there and when?
'The building will be 12 thousand square metres, with 5 storeys, including the parking lots. The laboratories will occupy the upmost floor. The whole building will be fully accessible. The surroundings of the building will be renewed as well with an additional 200 square metres of park area', Imre Peresztegi, CEO of the primary contractor, ZÁÉV P.C.L., explained. 'The building to be constructed of monolithic structures and pre-made reinforced concrete elements will add an impressive site to the town.' The contractual deadline for delivery is the end of the 2nd quarter of 2020.
The aim is even more superb medical training
The plan of the building is inspired by several 21th century institutions. The open lab architecture of every floor and the layout amalgamates the structures of the Janelia Research Campus (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA) and the new Max Planck research complexes (Germany). The plans were made by the renown TSPC Technical Supervision and Planning Consulting Hungary Ltd., a prestigious architectural workshop with impressive references. The philosophy of the new block is high aesthetic quality, functionality and sustainability. All these are important because 'The faculty has been competing for students in an international scene for decades, and in this competition it is important to ensure an innovative environment fit to science. This is the only way to keep researchers having accomplished significant success and to empower young talents, thus strengthening research besides education. The international trends show that the demand for medical training will grow in the following years. EU surveys and the local number of applicants both demonstrate that during the next ten or fifteen years the applications will remain significantly over quota', said dean Dr. Miklós Nyitrai at the foundation ceremony.
Éva HARKA