University of Szeged

The University of Szeged (; also abbreviated USZ) is a public research university in Szeged, Hungary. Established as the Jesuit Academy of Kolozsvár in present-day Cluj-Napoca in 1581, the institution was re-established as a university in 1872 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. The university relocated to Szeged in 1921, making it one of the oldest research universities in Hungary. It went through numerous changes throughout the 20th century and was eventually divided into distinct independent universities.

The current University of Szeged was formed in 2000 and is made up of twelve constituent faculties and nineteen doctoral schools, which consist of a range of departments and research groups. Each faculty functions autonomously. In addition to these, the university also operates the Health Centre of the University of Szeged, an extensive teaching hospital responsible for public regional healthcare, and three laboratory schools, which combine public education and teacher training responsibilities. The faculties and associated buildings do not form one single campus, as the buildings are scattered around downtown Szeged, although the Health Centre and the buildings of the Department of Arts are adjacent to each other. Being part of the Bologna zone, most majors are divided into a Bachelor's and Master's and PhD programmes, but the so-called one tyre-master (undivided) programmes are also.

The university also operates the Klebelsberg Library, the largest university library in Central Europe, and six university presses. In the fiscal year of 2014, the university had an operating budget of US$220 million. The University of Szeged has educated a large number of notable alumni, including Nobel laureates Albert Szent-Györgyi and Katalin Karikó, political scientist István Bibó, and poets Attila József and Gyula Juhász.

History

1581-1871: Founding and predecessors

The earliest predecessor of today's university was established by Stephen Báthory in the city of Kolozsvár in 1581 as a Catholic academy, with a profile in humanities and theology. The academy offered university-level education in arts and different departments were organised by 1598.

In 2021, the university senate voted in favour of an operative transformation. As a result, the university will be sustained by a state-established foundation instead of operating as a public university. The decision resulted in a nationwide controversy surrounding the model change of numerous universities in Hungary.

Campus

The University of Szeged has an urban campus, meaning that the university buildings are scattered throughout the city centre without comprising a continuous university campus. Nevertheless, the Health Centre bears a close resemblance to a campus, with the teaching hospitals being in one area. The main administrative building, the Rector's Office is on Dugonics Square, while the twelve faculties are housed in several buildings in downtown Szeged. The university also has ten dormitories for Hungarian and international students. Other buildings and sites affiliated with the University of Szeged include the Biological Research Centre, the ELI-ALPS Research Institute

left|thumb|Plants in the SZTE Botanic Garden

The SZTE Botanic Garden is a 24-acre garden outside the city centre and is home to more than 40 protected species whose natural habitats are only found in Hungary. Primarily a research garden, its main purpose is to maintain its rose garden, rock garden and taxonomical collection, and to organise science lessons. His responsibilities include maintaining in- and out-of-building relationships and making strategic decisions concerning education. Currently, there are four prorectors, responsible for strategy, education, research and development, and international relations, respectively. The chancellor is responsible for the economical management of the institution. The current chancellor is Judit Fendler. Both the chancellor and the rector are part of the Senate. Consisting of 49 decision-making delegates, the Senate make decisions on organisational changes and statutes.

thumb|The Rector's Office on Dugonics Square

Since 2000, the institute has functioned as a public university.

Faculties

Being a collegiate university, the University of Szeged is made up of twelve constituent faculties, along with a central administration. The faculties are:

Each faculty is led by the dean. The dean is appointed for five years and is responsible for overseeing education, research and human resources within the faculty, as well as maintaining a relationship with each department and the rector. 700 research areas are covered at the 19 doctoral schools of Szeged. The researchers of the university have had 25,000 publications in journals and conferences. Medicine, pharmacy, and dental studies, architecture, law and teacher training programmes remain single-cycle programmes called "undivided programmes".

International students may apply for the programmes online and need to submit a form. They need to upload documents that verify their academic background, language proficiency and general health. Tuition is generally state-financed. Would-be students must decide whether they would like to opt for the state-financed programme, for which they need more points, or the self-financed programme. This may be changed later based on the student's academic performance.

Teacher education

Teacher education in Hungary is carried out in a 5 or 6-year, undivided study path. Would-be teachers need to choose two majors, which may or may not be taught within one faculty. The Teacher Training Centre oversees administrative duties and coordinates teacher education between the four faculties of the university that participate in their training: the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Gyula Juhász Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Science and the Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts.

thumb|Main building of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Studies, one of the four faculties participating in teacher education

Teacher training courses range from general courses in the would-be teacher's two majors, as well as specific methodological, pedagogical and psychological modules. Three laboratory schools are operated by Szeged:

SZTE István Báthory Laboratory Grammar School and Elementary School
SZTE Gyula Juhász Elementary School
SZTE István Vántus Vocational School of Music

These institutions function as university-affiliated state schools. Students of these schools are taught by trained teachers and student-teachers as well, and classroom observations also take place. Based on Heti Világgazdaság's annual school report, SZTE István Báthory Laboratory Grammar School and Elementary School is Hungary's 32th best high school and the best high school in Szeged based on students' competencies, language performance and university admissions.

Astronomical Observatory

In 1985 the (that time called Attila József) University was gifted a 400 mm astronomical telescope, perfectly suited to the scientific needs of the time, by its partner institution in Odessa, with the aim of facilitating the launch of astronomical research in Szeged. Dr. Károly Szatmáry, the professor of the university, initiated the Szeged Astronomical Observatory Foundation in the summer of 1990, with the aim of providing a proper location for the telescope in Szeged. The foundation started collecting funds, and thanks to donations from individuals, companies and the Attila József University the Observatory was opened at July 6, 1992. For now the astronomical research of the university is done with other telescopes and the astronomical observatory is the base of the amateur astronomers of the region. The Astronomical Observatory of Szeged is located next to the SZTE Botanic Garden and is open for the public at Friday's evenings.

Rankings

Notable alumni and faculty

The University of Szeged has educated a large number of authors, scientists and athletes. Notable alumni include Nobel laureate scientist Katalin Karikó, opera singer Krisztián Cser, physicists Peter Heszler and László Bela Kish, poets Attila József, Gyula Juhász and Miklós Radnóti, author Mario Szenessy, and Olympic athletes Natasa Janics, Márton Joób and Anita Márton.

Notable professors include Nobel prize-winner Albert Szent-Györgyi, as well as Dezső Csejtei, Sándor Imre, Károly Marót, Ágoston Pável, Antal Szerb, Hildebrand Dezső Várkonyi, István Bibó, Ferenc Finkey, János Martonyi, Gábor Fodor, István Rusznyák, István Apáthy, Zoltán Bay, Lipót Fejér, Alfréd Haar, Béla Kerékjártó, László Lovász, Tibor Radó, László Rédei, and Afwa Thameur.

Bibliography

János Martonyi, József Ruszoly: A JATE története – A Szegedi Tudományegyetem múltja és jelene. Szeged, 1999.
SZTE the Greatest Community in Town 2019 brochure – Directorate for International&Public Relations