University life

The University of Pécs dedicated special attention to the families of its more than six thousand employees in 2018 in the form of a series of events. The various events offered unique opportunities for the whole family: from dragon boat race, ice-skating to a cooking show with a gastro blogger and sommelier, Márk Mikes. The closing event was held on 6 December, the day of St. Nicholas. The University of Pécs has recently won the prestigious “Responsible Employer of the Year 2018”, in which the Year of Families series played an important role.

Sixty registered participants pitched their business ideas in 10 minutes to 20 professionals, explaining why it is worth the investment at the Inspiration Day of the University of Pécs on 3 December. The organizers of the event gave useful advice for developing business ideas, they also introduced two case studies, demonstrating this way that success can be achieved. The event held at the Faculty of Business and Economics was truly interdisciplinary, perfect for exchanging ideas, networking and inspiration.

The Hungarian government launched the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme five years ago. Thanks to that, this year there are more than seven thousand international students studying in Hungary. Every fourth international student of the University of Pécs is studying here with the Stipendium Hungaricum. However, among the higher education institutions of Hungary, we are the only one hosting a special welcome event for the newly arrived scholarship students, giving them a great time and an opportunity to get to know each other. The University of Pécs organized the Stipendium Gala for the third time, in the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter on 26 October 2018. The moderator of the event was Péter Árvai, deputy director of the Centre for Internationalization and Connections.

The London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) company has published its latest international university ranking on 30 October, comparing emerging Eastern European universities and the leading 450 study destinations of Central Asia. 10 different indicators have been assessed for this year’s ranking, including academic and employer reputation and the research impact of each university. The University of Pécs ranked 53^rd, by climbing 10 places since last year.

Mónika Galambosné Tiszberger, assistant professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pécs has always been interested in statistics, she worked at the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, at Eurostat, then she came back to the University of Pécs to teach. She has three children, she had been the president of the Student Benefits and Dormitory Committee, she also participates in different project works, she is mentoring students. Her hobby is patchwork. She holds free workshops about time management at the Faculty of Business and Economics. I asked her to give some tips about time management that could be useful for students. The main focus: how to use our time more efficiently?

The president and his delegation of the North China University of Science and Technology (NCUST) visited the University of Pécs on 9 October.

The Annual International Interdisciplinary 3D Conference was organized on 5-6 October at two locations: at the Szentágothai Research Center the main focus was on bioprinting and the other section focused on engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. The opportunities applying the evolving 3D technology have been discussed by the invited lecturers. Internationally renowned professors, such as Prof. Metin Akay, from the University of Houston, gave keynote lectures, reviewed the research prospects and synergies.

The Damjanich Dormitory has been renewed in the framework of the Modern Cities Programme from a budget of 430 million Forints. The refurbished dormitory was inaugurated on 17 September, offering 100 new places – making quality accommodation available for students: the rooms are equipped with large windows, modern furniture, shower cabins, toilets, two separate, spacious beds. For students with reduced mobility there are special rooms available free of steps and thresholds, with special bathrooms; and they can enter the building with the help of an elevator.

Last year, a new tradition was established: adding a fleur-de-lis (Anjou-lily) figurine to the palette placed in the Senate room at the start of every academic year.

The Centre for International Relations held an orientation day on 10 September for the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship students at the Centre for Learning, where many international students gathered. The lecture was very informative and enjoyable; the freshmen had the opportunity to ask questions afterwards.