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„Fine Vision for the future” interview with József Bódis rector
As the President of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference how do you see the situation and the directions of higher education in 2017? It seems to me that higher education is in a more consolidated economic situation today, however I am convinced, that this newly established structure is more rigid than we had planned: it should have been moved towards a progressive direction. An economically stable higher education should be used to improve academic education and research. There are several components of these: one is the issue of competitive wages. Salaries in the current Hungarian higher education are still not competitive, even if there was a 15% wage increase last year, a 5% increase now and another 5% planned. We hope that we can achieve an even higher wage growth. The government has promised this, and there is a specific proposal from the Hungarian Rectors' Conference. The higher education system lacks the so-called scientific financial contribution which existed earlier. It was used for maintaining and operating various research institutions which are the true foundations of basic research. To replace the scientific financial contribution an application system has been created during recent years, and although it is a major source of financial support it cannot compensate the missing research grants. Today's world is forcing universities to work and co-operate with partners from the economic field more intensively. This can make even basic research important. Regarding the University of Pécs: we can create an organizational structure in which ideas, research and scientific innovation could create concrete products as a result – there has been precedent for this at the Faculty of Business and Economics. We want to apply it to the whole university, and now we have a chance for that. Internationalization is a priority issue for the University of Pécs. How do you evaluate the progress in this field? We have achieved very good results, but I think we are at the beginning of the road. The numbers can be misleading, because when we formulated our own programme and when we received this task from the government half year ago, we already had a thousand foreign students at the university. However I must admit, that there are shortcomings regarding the technical and
physical conditions of our education and services. It is particularly true in the case of the faculty where the greatest number of the foreign students are, Medical School. Other faculties were also able to take big steps toward internationalization as there are no major problems with the infrastructure on their campuses. We hope that it will not change, because this would prove that the program works well. Fortunately the Hungarian government supports our internationalization program with 24 billion HUF that we are receiving through the Modern Cities Program as a first step but we also hope to be able to reach other channels to get further sources. Public procurements have been launched in connection with the Modern Cities Program. When can we expect results? I think that today it is not too difficult to find financial sources for the proper goals, but to use them in a regulated way is quite a torture in Hungary. In this process public procurements are key factors, if they are successful, we hope to see visible results this year. Back to the 650th anniversary: how do we prepare ourselves for the jubilee year? With serenity, with a beautiful vision about the future and with concepts that reflect the ideas of the founders of the university. I think life is never easy. It was not easy in 1367, but a bright concept was born which finally led to the creation of the first university of Hungary. This was a great achievement, especially for Bishop William who initiated and operated the founding of the university. Of course it was great wisdom from King Louis the Great and from Pope Urban V who licensed and supported the progressive side of the process. It is my hope that the chapel which will be named after Bishop William, and the statue of the bishop and the king will be a worthy tribute to the founders. As for the our university, I believe that we can pay our tribute through modernizing the structure, adjusting our training to the modern world, conducting effective basic and applied research, achieving outstanding scientific results, innovating, and welcoming foreign students. This is my conviction. UNIVPECS INTERNATIONAL 1
TABLE OF CONTENT On the fitfh day interview with Júlia Szekeres
page 5
A Motivating Library
page 8
"I am in love with Hungary" interview Mohamed Omar Youssef Shaaban Mahmoud page 10 Neptun Basics Stipendium Gala
page 12
The legacy of Gyõzõ is important to me interview with Téo Vasarely page 24–25 “Why does everybody say that Hungarian is a difficult language? It seems so easy!” about MagyarOK page 27 Study Abroad!
page 28.
Goulash and Hungarian dishes that look exotic to foreigners
page 31–32
page 14 Planning to have an unforgettable summer
page 34 page 36
My Erasmus Experience Scarlett Bertrand
page 17
Dance and sport
Tinnitus Choir
page 18
Jubilee Supplement
Modern Cities Programme
page 20
page 41–47
Denver–Pécs, and about whom everyone is talking… interview with Dr. Sheila Rucki page 22–23
Imprint UNIVPÉCS INTERNATIONAL UnivPécs International is a special issue by UnivPécs, published in September and February, distributed to UP students. Publisher: University of Pécs Rector's Office, Marketing Department 7622 Pécs, Vasvári Pál utca 4. Editor-in-Chief: Éva Harka
Contributing authors: Robert Balogh, Bettina Bartakovics, Viktor Goldmann-Görög, Attila Horváth, Alexandra Kékesi, Krisztina Kovács, pte.hu Archive Special thanks to Kata Peltz, Vivien Németh and Dominika Király Contributing Photographers and Illustrators: Bence Csabai, Szabolcs Csortos, Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs Archive Lector: Róbert Marcz
Advertising: Róbert Király kiraly.robert@pte.hu Distribution: Dusán Filákovity djdusan1@gmail.com Printing: General Nyomda Kft., 6728 Szeged, Kollégiumi út 11/H ISSN 1586-1767 Tips, questions, comments? info@pte.hu
The 1st White Coat Ceremony White Coat Ceremony is a ritual for students starting their pre-clinical studies at Medical School. The first event was on 3rd October, 2016.
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On the fifth day
The joint research group of the University of Pécs and Semmelweis University identified a marker affecting the success of artificial insemination. We talked about the success to immunologist Júlia Szekeres, who in her study published in Nature Scientific Reports in January, also have drawn attention to the fact that parenthood is put off to later and later points in time in developed countries, therefore there is an increasing demand for artificial insemination.
How big work preceded the success? It is the result of about two year's research, but it also needed a good idea. It is known that every cell produces extracellular vesicles (vesicles surrounded by lipid membranes), which can contain various molecules – cytokines, nucleic acids, hormones, enzymes. These vesicles get out of the cell and get to the next cell which takes them. With a help of controlling mechanisms, for example, a vesicle can transfer information from a cell of the endometrium to the embryo or vice versa, or maybe from a lymphocyte to another. It occurred whether there are such vesicles in the culture medium of in vitro embryos during artificial insemination. It seemed as a wild idea, because it was questionable whether a sole cell would be able to produce a detectable amount of vesicles.
I suppose 'test-tube babies' are not bred in test-tubes any more. Indeed, after insemination, they are bred in plastic culture vessels at 37 degrees in an appropriate culture medium that contains amino acids, salts and other nutrients required for development and provides for an appropriate pH level.
How big is a vesicle in comparison with a cell? Its size can extend from 50–100 nanometers up to one thousand. The cell is about 10 micrometers. That is, vesicles are minuscule compared to the size of the cell, just like a tiny little bubble next to the cell. Éva Pálinger from the Institute of Genetics, Cellular and Immune Biologe of the Semmelweis University was involved in the research, who is the member of an internationally appreciated research group studying extracellular vesicles. They checked the idea, and it turned out that there were such vesicles in the culture medium of the embryo. Then it had to be proved that they really were extracellular vesicles. The evidence is that the lipid membrane of the vehicle dissolve in detergents and the vehicles disappear. These vehicles originate from the embryo, since there were significantly more vesicles in the culture medium of the embryo than in such culture mediums in which no embryos were bred. Later on it was also found that if there is nucleic acid in the extracellular vesicles, it means that the embryo does not feel well. We made use of this phenomenon to identify "right" embryos, suitable for implantation.
Excuse me, but how? There is a special paint – propidium iodide – which colours only nucleic acids, particularly the DNA, which becomes fluorescent red after painting. Flow cytometry is able to differentiate between vesicles of different colours and count them. We got the medium cultures of already implanted embryos from the IVF laboratory of the Gynaecological and Obstretical Clinic of Pécs, thus we were able to observe the correlation between the lab results and the success of the implantations. For instance, if the implantation of three embryos in the same woman resulted in a singleton pregnancy, then the number of extracellular vesicles containing nucleic acid was low in the culture medium of one embryo, while in the other two it was high. In another case, the implantation of two embryos resulted in twin pregnancy. Here the number of extracellular vesicles containing nucleic acid was low in case of both implanted embryos. Only one embryo is rarely implanted, and if this value is low, it is almost always followed by pregnancy. This is how we reached the conclusion that those are the "right" embryos in case of which the number of extracellular vesicles containing nucleic acid is low.
What amount is this medium? An embryo is bred in 40 microliter of culture medium. It is a small drop. By the end of the fourth day the embryo looks like a raspberry, then it turns into a blastocyst on the fifth day; this blastocyst is implanted, but before that the embryo is transferred into fresh medium. Thus we can examine the number of extracellular vesicles containing nucleic acids in the medium in which the embryo has been bred for days.
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A research project also needs to be proved; how did that happen? Only particular implantations are evidential, and these are rare in Hungary. However, we managed to obtain 20 such samples. There was only one among them which did not show correlation between the number of extracellular vesicles with successful pregnancy. Based on this, we can predict with a 95% probability, which embryos are suitable for implantation. However, the embryo identified with the above method is only one condition of a successful pregnancy. A suitably healthy maternal side is also necessary; that is, an endometrium which is capable of accommodating the embryo. In district V., Budapest, the average age of women having their first babies is 40 years. To what extent is it a disadvantage? It is tragic. It leads to the fact that many women are not able to get pregnant on their own. The rate of chromosomically abnormal embryos increases with the age of the mother. At the age of 44, 90% of embryos are abnormal. At 35, this rate is nearly 40%. Fortunately, the majority of abnormal embryos are not able to implant; this is partly the reason behind increasing female infertility. Biologically speaking, it would be optimal for women to give birth between the ages of 20–25, because it is the period with the best chance of producing the genetically least problematic embryos. It will be a nasty question, but due to social conditions, will your research be a salable product? Absolutely. Everywhere in the world the goal is to transfer only one embryo, but it requires the identification of the one embryo which has the most chance for implantation. Ideally transfer should work in a way that on the fifth day, right
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before transfer, the single embryo with the biggest chance for implantation could be chosen by a simple examination. Our method is quick and simple. Professor Gábor Kovács L.'s research group has identified a marker reflecting the differences in the metabolism of "right" and "wrong" embryos, and the development of a chip-based quick test is in progress as well. If the two methods were applied at the same time, and both markers showed that this is the right embryo, we could make the method of choosing the right embryo much more safe. What is the next step? How can your method be applied? On the fifth day, there are 3–4 embryos available – several ones are bred from the same woman. On the day of the transfer the culture medium has to be examined with our method, it only takes 15 minutes. The examiner then can tell which embryo has to be used out of the four; let's say, egg no. 1. What happens to the other eggs then? We transfer one of the good eggs, while the others can be frozen, because we have to be happy about a good embryo, and by next time the mother will be even older. In other countries only one embryo can be transferred; in Hungary more. In the USA, doctors inducing twin pregnancies face a malpractice lawsuit, because twin pregnancies have more health risks. How is it possible that no business has been made of taking the eggs as early as possible? There has. For example, Apple offered their young employees to pay for taking and storing their eggs – this is called social freezing. When the woman feels it is time for having a baby,
the embryo will be transferred. But a good egg is not enough for 100% success, because the endometrium ages as well, and hormonal conditions change, too. Where can you put this achievement in your research career? I find it important because it has the promise of practical implementation. Of course, chance also played a part in this discovery. Research is like a game. We head for something, and more and more new things open up. We manage to see beyond phenomena. Then we search for points where we can intervene in mechanisms. It is very exciting. What is your main field of research? The influence of hormonal changes during pregnancy on the immune system. The genetically half foreign embryo is not rejected because the operation of the immune system changes during pregnancy. The immune system does wiredancing. It has to prevent the rejection of the embryo, but meanwhile it also has to protect the body from external infections. The hormone progesterone has a key role in maintaining pregnancy and in the immunological changes during pregnancy as well. It was us who first showed that there are specific progesterone bonding nodes in the lymphocytes of pregnant women. Pregnancy means a constant stimulation for the maternal body. The maternal immune system recognizes the "alien" embryo; it activates lymphocytes and develops progesterone receptors which are able to bond this hormone. The effect of progesterone is like a hit-and-run. When the effect of the hormone occurs, progesterone itself is not even present any more. Bonding to its receptor, progesterone reaches the nucleus of the cell and induces genes; new proteins are produced. Such a newly produced protein, PIBF – progesterone induced blocking factor – transmits the effects
of progesterone on the function of the immune system. But I could talk a lot more about that. And now, after the big success, what is next, what will you research? Does research need a grant, or rather a good idea? A proper research environment and a little money. Unfortunately, this environment is not granted nowadays, not in the country, and unfortunately I must say, not even at the university. During research, new aspects emerge constantly, due to which I would need to buy a new reagent for a couple of hundred thousand Forints, but right now. In research, you cannot plan at the beginning of the year what problems will emerge half a year later. The proper procedure would be to order the reagent directly from the producing company that could deliver it in the shortest time possible, and I could pay it from the research budget. This is the practice in other countries, and it used to be in Hungary, too. But what is happening now? I have to ask for quotations, write justifications and wait for signatures for months. Considering that an intermediate authority performs ordering, even the delivery address is often wrong and I have to find where the parcel has been sent. It is difficult to do research this way. Primarily, this is not the fault of the university. The way of spending money is determined by people who have no idea how research is performed, but they also have no idea about teaching and patient care either. Unfortunately, similarly uninformed people deal with research budgets at the university as well. Administration is excessive, and the system is inflexible. It could be helpful if administrators occasionally took study trips to the workplaces the work of which they are supposed to help, in order to get acquainted with the processes and emerging problems. Robert BALOGH
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A MOTIVATING
In 2014 we decided to set off to win the Certified Library award. This title was successfully received a year ago, and since then the library has been continuously improving its high quality professional services, and is characterized by innova tions. Innovation activities require us to observe the national and international trends and changes. From 2014 our services have increasingly shifted towards academic knowl edge and asset management, electronic content delivery and the construc tion of a digital library.
LIBRARY OUR SERVICES We are proud to announce that, according to the 2016 student motivation study, students are satisfied with the services of the library. – 302 students joined our Freshmen's tour last October. – To be in touch with the students we actively use social media (Facebook, Twitter). – The Pekár Library is open until midnight during the exam period – "Database roadshows": Our "Library is just a click away – how can I take the first steps?" programme is quite popular. We showed students how to use, search and work with and within databases provided by the Knowledge Centre. Our librarians presented this knowledge at the Faculty of Arts last spring, and at the Faculty of Health Sciences last Autumn. Our aim is to involve more teachers in our programme trying to help students prepare for their thesis/dissertation work. – The "Ask a Librarian" chat service is becoming increasingly popular.
– Various programs and exhibitions are organized for students. For example the well-known exhibition titled We should definitely read. (Mindenkép(p)en olvassunk!) consists of photos of university staff and students recommending their favourite books. – The "Library Night" program is held at the end of the spring semester, when thematic programs are organized. What is more the Knowledge Centre is open until midnight, and a variety of discounts are offered. – In autumn, as a part of the programme, the "Day of Hungarian Science", we organize a conference to show the results of our developments.
– "Brainstorm-box" is our new platform which provides an opportunity to share innovative ideas about the library. The most exiting advantage of this platform is that you can follow the implementation of your ideas. This platform is available in English, too. We constantly work for our readers. To make our services better internal developments are required: making our work more efficient will hopefully benefit the reader as well.
INNOVATIONS
– We join the celebration of our anniversary, the list of all these programmes is available on our webpage. – A traveling exhibition on our university's history was launched in December, all faculties host the exhibition during the year. – The "Night at the library" programme, connected to the Middle Ages, will be a special occasion on 26 April. – An international conference on our university's history will be held on 13–15 October. The main talks will be available in Hungarian and English as well. – Per Aspera ad Astra is an online journal about the history of the universities. To celebrate the anniversary a special themed copy will be published by our library in co-operation with the University Archives. – An international photo exhibition related to the anniversary will be also held in the building of the Knowledge Centre. (2nd Patria Photo Salon)
– One of our services supporting scientific research is "DIGITÁLIA" which is highly popular among students. Our colleagues will soon renew it: new functions are going to be developed using workflow support and web2 technologies. – Another new service will be the so-called eKéPEk (E-pictures), which is a special photo gallery to establish our collective memory aiming to preserve the past for the future generations. There is already a database but it is going to be developed by web2 technology.
650th JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY
"I am in love with Hungary" – interview with the 3000th international student* Why did you choose this study programme at the University of Pécs? I chose to study international relations at the University of Pécs because I love what the programme consists of; I am very much interested in political science, I love history, economics, sociology and also languages and this programme offered me the chance to study all of that in one place. In addition to this I looked at the different acknowledged universities rankings websites and the University of Pécs was always in very good positions. And, of course I read about Hungary in general and Pécs specifically and I was in love with it before I came here. I knew it was the right place to pursue my education. Now, 2 months later, I am certain that I made the right decision to come here and I am very glad I did. What are your experiences about your study programmes? My experiences have so far been absolutely positive. A pleasant surprise I found on my first week was that my class consisted of around 25 students coming from around 20 countries. The classroom is a truly international environment.
*The special diploma was conferred on the 3000th international student of the UP on 9th November, 2016. 3808 foreign students study at the University of Pécs by now.
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We asked Mohamed Omar Youssef Shaaban Mahmoud, the 3000th international student of the University about Pécs, about studies and about his experiences. He has been here just for a few months, but he already feels at home and has great future plans in Hungary.
Such diversity and sharing my lessons with enthusiastic people coming from the different corners of the globe adds a lot to my experience and my education, especially since I'm studying international relations. The subjects are great, and the teachers are professional with a vast knowledge and they are always very helpful. So, everything is really motivating me and it has been more than great so far and I am enjoying my education here very much. How do you like Hungary and a city of Pécs? I am in love with Hungary, I had already known that Hungary was a lovely country before I came here and when I arrived here it was even better than I thought. My favourite thing here is, undoubtedly, the people. I love the Hungarian people very much. I am always warmly welcomed, and always greeted with a smile. I can see how people are interested when I say I am from Egypt, and often asking me about my home country. In addition to this whenever I needed help, I could easily find it. The Hungarian people are incredibly kind, warm hearted, and welcoming and I am grateful for everything they have done for me so far.
What are your favourite places in Pécs? My favourite place in Pécs is the historical area near the city center. I love the small streets there, the small colourful houses, the cosy shops, this area just gives me a comforting feeling I cannot really put in words. What do you think about the public transport, about the food, about your accommodation? Public transport, especially the buses are an important part of my everyday life here. I had some problems at first because I was not familiar with the bus system, but with time I adapted and everything was clear to me. I got the monthly ticket for the bus, and it makes moving around the city much easier. Regarding food, I have still not fully experienced the Hungarian cuisine, I would love to though, but there are many kinds of food similar to those in Egypt, like Falafel and Kebab. Also this week I tried Hungarian homemade Fasirt and I absolutely loved it. And about my accommodation, I live in Szántó Kollégium which is a university's dormitory and I can say it is quite good. It offers an international community; I can find the necessary facilities and the staff are very helpful. I think I will probably move into private accommodation though in the next year because I believe this is more comfortable for me. What do you miss from home? Where there any surprising difference between Pécs and your home county? Of course the thing I miss the most is my family. Although we do talk everyday, I miss how it feels to be at home and with my parents and my two brothers. My mother's hug, my mother's food, these things are irreplaceable. I also miss the weather very much, here it is a bit too cold for me. But it is worth it though and hopefully soon I will be reunited with my parents. I guess the biggest difference is that Hungary is completely green and full of nature while Egypt is rather yellow. What do you do in your free time? Every weekend I travel to the north of Hungary to spend as much time as I can with my beautiful girlfriend who is
Hungarian, and with her lovely family. They have introduced me to a lot cultures and habits and of course the food of Hungary, and they always try to teach me a bit of Hungarian as well. So I absolutely love my weekends. What do you think about the other foreign students of the University of Pécs? Other foreign students are everywhere around me, in the dorms or in the classroom like I have mentioned, and they are an important part of my day-to-day experience, and they definitely make it better. I can learn something new everyday, meet new people from everywhere in the world. Pécs is truly a students' city. What are your future plans? Do you have future plans in Hungary? It has been my goal since a long time to work in politics in the hopes of making things better in my home country, in the same time I would also love to teach at the university level, therefor, after getting my degree I plan to pursue further education, hopefully at the University of Pécs to obtain a master's degree and later a phd degree. I feel at home here and I plan to stay here for a long time. What do you mean for you that you were the 3000th international student of the university? Being the 3000th international student is a great honour, I am lucky to be here and I am thankful and grateful for all that the University of Pécs, the city, and Hungary have done for me so far. I aim to return this favour by being a good model, and by spreading the word to others and encourage them to study in a beautiful country like Hungary and a fantastic place like the University of Pécs. How did you like the ceremony? I was honoured and lucky to be invited to the ceremony and to meet with Professor Bódis, the rector of the university and to be sitting next to the great people who were being rewarded for their life-long works during the ceremony. It was an unforgettable experience and I am grateful for the invitation.
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CHECKING AND MODIFYING CONTACT INFORMATION My data > Contact information > you can modify your e-mail addresses, addresses, URL addresses and phone numbers > Options (cross on the line's end) > Edit > type or choose the new data > Save You can also delete your data by ticking the square in the information line. If you have to modify your personal information (you can check them here: My data > Personal information) or you can't modify your contact information, ask for help in the Registrar's Office. REGISTRATION FOR THE NEW SEMESTER Administration > Enrolment/Registration > choose the next semester's Options (cross on the line's end) > Enrol > choose between active and passive status > Save
APPLY FOR A SPECIALIZATION Administration > Select specialization REGISTER FOR COURSES Subjects > Register for subjects > use the filters and make sure the Subjects currently offered only checkbox is ticked > click on the Add link at the subject you would like to add > select the desired course by ticking the checkbox > Save > make sure by reading the feedback message that the registration was successful REGISTER FOR EXAMS Exams > Exam registration > Options (cross on the line's end) > you've got a pop-up window with the data of the selected exam > Options > Registration Your registered exams appear in blue. You can drop an exam by clicking to the Options > Deregistration, and also change the exam by choose Options > Change exam > in a pop-up window you can view all the other announced exams of the subject > Options > Change exam. You can check your registered exams by choosing Exams > Taken exams. NEPTUN MEET STREET It is a new electronic administration system which you can find in the top left corner of the page. You can find all the news, learning materials and forums about the taken courses.
CHECKING YOUR STUDIES Using the menu of Studies > Training data: you can view the data pertaining to your training(s), programme(s), specialization(s) and diploma. Data belonging to your training are displayed at the top of the interface. Here you can get information about, among others, the duration of the training's legal status, about the maximum number of useable terms, but all essential training data can be found here (training floor, mode, programme type, module, max. number of terms, etc.). This screen only provides information; you are not allowed to modify data here. The interface only displays specializations for which you have already been registered.Ăş
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Finances It is possible to pay tuition fees and other charges through the system: Finances > Payment > your unpaid items appear. You can view your stipends and other payouts by choosing Finances > Stipend, payouts. Problem? Write to neptun@listserv.pte.hu More info: http://neptun.pte.hu/en/hallgatoi_segedlet
BASICS
Stipendium Gala 2016
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The scholarship called Stipendium Hungaricum has been functioning since 2013 and the students of UP are showing an increasing interest in it. Our university is famous for its international nature as the amount of foreign students who start their studies at UP is on the rise.
The first Gala was on 28th of October, 2015. Its aim was to show gratitude towards those who chose the University of Pécs. The Rector of the university, Dr József Bódis also took the opportunity to say thanks in his speech: "The Stipendium Hungaricum program is one of the most important tools of the university to take part in the Modern Cities Programme. It was a really important milestone to have more than 3000 foreign students at our university. Through this Gala and our everyday work we would like to send a message that our students are important and that we count on them and for their great accomplishments." Both Dr István Tarrósy, the leader of the Foreign Board and Dr Zsolt Páva, the mayor of Pécs emphasized that this scholarship was not only an opportunity for the arriving students to experience a new culture but the Hungarian students and lecturers also have the possibility to get acquainted with new people from several different countries. The last speech was delivered by Hatem Azzabi's, a student from the Faculty of Humanities. In his speech he emphasized how grateful he was for everything he got here, that Pécs was a wonderful city and that having won the title of European Capital of Culture in 2010 was not mere luck. The event started with the performance of the Tinnitus Choir, a Norwegian acapella choir including students from the Medical School. Before the programme continued people had time to taste some delicious food, make new friends and talk. We did the same: "I had great opportunities, but when I heard of Stipendium Hungaricum I applied immediately and fortunately I got it. I wanted to study and study and this scholarship gave me the opportunity. I am studying to be an architect" – said Jordanian Abdullah Al-Theiabat. "I really love living here, the city is beautiful, there are so many sights. Though the city is quite calm, life at the university is great. People are kind to me, Hungarians are nice. I hope I can spend more time with learning the Hungarian language." Rama Hussein Kwaylih, also from Jordan, came here two years ago: "I am studying at the Medical School. would like to be a doctor because I have always loved helping other people. I applied for a scholarship and I won it, I was especially lucky because I had the chance to choose from Algeria, Sudan and Hungary. Luckily I chose Hungary and this was the best decision I had ever made. I fell in love with the city and the people. Me and my friends could not wait for this Gala, it is such an elegant event, the speeches are inspiring and the performances are enjoyable, but the main point is that we could meet a lot of other people from different cultures. It is always great to meet new people." Attila HORVÁTH and Krisztina KOVÁCS
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The best foreign student of Görlitz?
Y e s , she's Hungarian… Last year Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) donated Réka Schmieder a precious award. The student of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Education and Regional Development got the special title of being the best foreign student of the year 2016.
Réka Schmieder took part in the German partner institution's dual master's program between 2013 and 2015. The special recognition, including gratuity, was won by a Hungarian student of UP for the first time. She earned the price with her high level performance during her studies. During the Cultural Mediation and Cultural Heritage Studies Master's degree program of the UP students can participate in a joint training and spend two semesters at a partner institution in the Germany without having to pay a tuition fee. The program has been operating since 2006 and 5 students can join the special program annually.
My Erasmus experience – Scarlett Bertrand
It is end of august when I reach Pécs for the first time. I really love this feeling when I arrive in a new city and I know I am going to open a new chapter of my life. I look around me and see for the first time things which will become normal for me because I will take the same path every day. The first days I learn how to fit in. How to use the bus, how to use the currency, how to have a SIM card for my phone, how to do the difference between sparkling water and still water, I learn my first Hungarians words such as 'egészségedre', 'köszönöm' or 'jó napot'… Pécs is an amazing city. I really love the atmosphere, the size and all its events. My favourite places are: Nappali, Nike statue and its amazing view of Pécs, the swimming pool, the animal shelter, Orfû lake, Mecsek and I could continue the list. Then there are the people. Yes Erasmus is about meeting people. The first days I meet a lot of people from everywhere in the world. I also get to know better my roommates. I live in Szanto dormitory and share a block with 3 other exchange students from Ukraine, Mongolia and the USA. The first day at the university we have a welcome presentation in a big amphitheatre and I am there with 300 other students here for one semester or one year. When I look at them I can see the same look in every eye. I can read curiosity and excitement mix to a bit of anxiety, but most of all I see kindness. We are all in the same position and we know it. We know we will be soon a big family. Our minds and hearts will be full of memories together.
And yes, we are here for our studies and it is an important point of the Erasmus time. This is why we are here aren't we? We learn a foreign language, with different rules, different way of teaching. We have team works with students from different cultures. This is an incredible experience. Not always funny and easy. It needs a lot of adaptation, communication and motivation to do it well. Sometimes it doesn't work. But when it does, it is magic! So, we are here for our studies. But again, the most important in this Erasmus adventure are all those friendships we built and all those life memories. In my case, my Erasmus experience is linked to ESN. Here in Pécs, we have an ESN section (International Exchange Erasmus Student Network) and the people in this organisation are hungarians or international full-time students of the University of Pécs. They are here for us, the exchange students. And if my time here has been exceptional it is in majority thanks to those people. They organised parties, country presentations, sports events, trips, cultural events, social events and more. But most of all they are always with us, helping us, listening to us, giving us comfort, sharing their culture, surprising us by they love for people. I want to thank Erasmus family for this amazing semester. I want to thank ESN Pécs for being such amazing people!
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Tinnitus Choir There is an award-winning
unique choir at the Medical School. Its members are Norwegian students.
Where does your name "Tinnitus" come from? How was it born? We are called Tinnitus because we thought it was a funny name for a Medical School choir. (Tinnitus is an audiology term, it means the hearing of sound when no external sound is present. While often described as a ringing, it may also sound like a clicking, hiss or roaring- the ed.) Our founder got the idea because her sister was in a choir named Tinnitus at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and we loved it, too. Our choir was founded by a Norwegian medical student, Anne Sandvik, in September 2011, so we celebrated our 5th anniversary last autumn. How many member do you have? Currently, we have 19 members, 5 boys and 14 girls. We recruit new members at the beginning of each semester. Now we have 4 sopranos, 2 mezzo sopranos, 7 altos, 3 tenors and 2 basses in addition to the conductor.
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How often do you rehearse and how do you choose your songs? We rehearse for two hours every Tuesday, sometimes at the weekends and we also have extra rehearsals before important concerts. We always have a beer or a glass of wine afterwards. Singing is primarily meant to be a social and enjoyable hobby and going for a drink really helps build our spirit. Usually the conductor picks songs that he considers cool, but everyone is allowed to suggest one and then we vote. What determines you actual style? Our current style is always adapted to the occasion. We love singing pop and musical songs, putting on a good show and enjoying ourselves on stage, but we also enjoy singing traditional songs in the case of the more formal performances. Did you expect to get the Bajnรณczky Award at the Advent Concert? We had absolutely no idea that we would get the Bajnรณczky Award, we are completely in awe! We are grateful and proud that the university appreciates our work.
BASS: Andreas Bergheim Graff Joachim Riiber Denstad, PR Preben Bygdevoll Strand Tjerand Aas Skalnes Tonnes Stray-Pedersen Aspholm ALTO: Andrea Unhjem Wiik Astrid Tollofsrud, costumes Hanne Mjos Jovik Julie Ostby-Deglum Kine Marita Eriksson Linn-Siren Hausken Maria Steigen, musical director Thea Malm Kolmannskog Ashild Fossum Eriksen, economy SOPRANO: Christine Kvaloy Ida Marie Heggem, conductor Kristine Bergheim Graff Sofia Akhtari Stine Botilsrud https://www.facebook.com/tinnituschoir/
How do you like Hungary? We enjoy living in Hungary very much. The city is beautiful and we love all the student events and the festivals. I think it's safe to say that everyone in the choir loves the wine festivals in Szent Istvan Square and forralt bor (mulled wine – the ed.) with kürtõskalács (a special form of pastry the shape of a cylinder – the ed.) at the Christmas market. It's also great to enjoy a classical concert in Kodály Központ or to watch the Pécsi Balett in National Theatre of Pécs.
just hanging out with friends. If the weather is nice we take a trip to Orfû or to the Misina animal shelter and the Mecsek Mountains is great for hiking/running, plus volleyball and swimming at Pollack is always fun. This spring the choir will travel to Krakow, Poland to participate in a choir festival there, and we are very excited to represent Pécs. We visited this festival in 2015 and it was a great adventure. It is arranged by Copernichoir, a mixed choir consisting of medicine and dentistry students at the Jagellonian University Medical School and over 500 students from Norway will participate. Copernichoir and Tinnitus are the only ones of their kind and we are very proud of this. This is only the second time the festival is arranged and our choir is very much excited to go back.
What do you do in your free time? As medical students we spend a lot of time in the library, but most of us also enjoy a good party, pub quizzes and
Krisztina KOVÁCS
Why did the members choose to come to Hungary and what do they study? We all study general medicine, and we are all from Norway. In Norway it is very hard to get in to a medical school, and more and more students in general study outside of Norway.
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IMP RES SIVE modernisation MODERN CITIES PROGRAMME The government of Hungary decided, at the beginning of 2016, to support the development of the University of Pécs in the framework of the Moderns Cities Programme. The aim of this 24-billion HUF subsidy is to double the number of the foreign students studying in Pécs by 2020. This means that a rapid development can be expected at the University of Pécs in the next few years, which can lead to modernising the infrastructure as well as inviting highly qualified lecturers and researchers to come home to work. A significant part of the financial support will be spent on improving medical education, the Medical School in Pécs will get a new educational building and the park surrounding the existing building will be renewed. As practical training is of utmost importance in this field, several buildings of the Clinical Centre may be modernized.
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In the framework of the programme the former Gyõzõ Csorba Library – maintained now by the Faculty of Health Sciences – and the campus in Szepesi and Vörösmarty streets are going to be renewed, while the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology in Boszorkány street is also going to get new laboratory building. Student Hostel Balassa János and Damjanich will also undergo renovation together with Hostel Laterum. The Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Sciences, the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Education and Regional Development are also going to be modernized in the next few years. A new University Business Centre will complete the Faculty of Business and Economics, while the Faculty of Law is going to receive a communication room. The Faculty of Music and Visual Arts will be given the opportunity to buy instruments, which are considered rare even at the international level.
Regarding the development of the university rector József Bódis emphasized: "Pécs is in a special position among the beneficiaries of the Modern Cities Programme, since this is the only city out of the twenty-three involved, where the government's support programme is implemented through the development of the university. As a result of this subsidy the first University of Hungary, which celebrates its 650th anniversary next year, has the chance to develop continuously, which guarantees its success even after the Jubilee Year" – emphasized the rector.
According to Zoltán Jenei, chancellor of UP "during the following years the university will have a great opportunity and a great responsibility at the same time. Our task to create a more competitive environment in Hungary and abroad, too."
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Denver–Pécs, and about whom everyone is talking … Dr. Sheila Rucki is a political economist and an associate professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her work is mostly on Gramsci and notions of the relationships between culture and economy. After two conference participations at the University of Pécs she came to teach here as visiting professor to launch a faculty exchange with the Department of Political Science and International Studies. The relationship between the two universities was established by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology of the UP, and now there's a minor at MSU Denver, in which both Hungarian and American professors have been teaching. In order to further strengthen this bilateral relationship, as part of the Internationalization Strategic Program, the Center for International Relations of UP tries to involve other faculties of the UP into the co-operation. For example, during the spring another visiting professor's arrival will bring new methodology to the Faculty of Business and Economics. Sheila Rucki taught students majoring in International Relations at the Faculty of Humanities.
How much publicity does Hungary get in the United States? Hungary did appear in the news quite a bit when the refugee crisis was at its height: there were a lot of stories in the major press about the way immigrants was treated, the difficulties they had and so on. On the 20th of January United States will have a new president. (The interview was done on 17 of December, 2016. – the ed.) It may sound terrible but the voters of Trump are called low information voters who actively engaged in politics but not committed themselves to the media or to education. There is also serious division in race, so Hillary Clinton did very well among African Americans, the Hispanic community and Asians, whereas Trump ran much better among white men. Another division is between rural and urban regions: Hillary Clinton did very well in urban communities whereas Trump won in rural areas.
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For me it was totally obvious that Clinton will win the elections. Did social media destroy her chances? One of the things what's remarkable about this election is not that it was that close, but the two sides don't even know how to talk to one another. I think that relates to the facebook phenomenon. The fake news were introduced through facebook and twitter feed and these could not get repeated frequently enough to not be able to cover it by the mainstream media. The MSM had no idea how to handle the fake news. The expectations were quite high for Obama's Presidency. According to many people these did not align with reality. How do you see his work from this angle? I think that the original hopes that people had for Obama were reflected more about them than it reflected about Obama himself. Even as a senator he was a very centrist politician not the revolutionary firebrand people expected. When he became president he was consensus
oriented, he had to negotiate with the congress and as a result of that his entire program got tiny. I'm not saying that he had not done anything or his presidency was unimportant. I think he is one of the most important presidents. But he achieved so much less than people had hoped. What can we expect from Trump's foreign policy? That's a very good question. If we look at his foreign policy appointments so far we see people with a paranoid, anti islamic world view that supports totalitarian leadership. Maybe that would be okay except that he also shows no intention to uphold the previous US foreign policy commitments. Is the historic role of the US being the "world's policeman" over? We'll see. If the president can't cooperate with the bureaucracy there will be little change.
Related to the ongoing refugee crisis the traditional European values are not existing anymore. Can traditional American values change in any way? I think they have to. Immigration is mostly accepted when there's not a lot of immigrants coming in the United States. The great waves of immigration historically have also been matched by great waves of xenophobia. The difference is that the Trump administration seems to attach this xenophobia to Islam in an explicit way which means that not only will the United States be less welcoming for Islamic refugees but also for muslims who are already living in States. Hungarian society has been divided in the last couple of elections. Do you see similar tendency in America? Absolutely. After the election there were articles and tv shows about how to talk to your family member who voted for Trump. Some of them was funny, but some of them was not funny at all.
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Interview with Téo Vasarely who studied Hungarian at the University of Pécs. The seventeenyear-old Teo's greatgrandfather is none other than the father of opart, who would be 110 years old this year.
"The legacy of Gyõzõ is important to me" I live in Aix-en-Provence and now I'm in Pécs, because of the four-week summer school course at University of Pécs. Unfortunately the members of my family, except some relatives, gave up speaking Hungarian very long time ago. However, my father regretted not to learn Hungarian during his youth. It was his idea to send me to take part in this summer school to renew the Hungarian language in our family through me. What feelings did you arrive with? I welcomed the opportunity. I've been to Hungary three times so the country was not strange to me. I was in Budapest for the first time in 2010, then with my parents in Pécs in April 2016. I am a member of the high school drama circle at home, and as part of a student exchange program we had an opportunity to write a play that was
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inspired by Victor Vasarely's oeuvre. We presented it together with the students of Leõwey Klára High School in Pécs and Aix-en as well. Was it easy to get used to the Hungarian language? The first few days were the most difficult, because I did not understand anything. But as time passes, it becomes more and more interesting. I can more easily create sentences, begin to understand the structure of the language and I can understand better what is happening around me. Do you speak any other foreign languages? "Speaking" would be an overstatement. I have studied English since I was a freshman, and I have leant Italian for a few years. Besides, I really like Italian... and it is a little bit easier than Hungarian. (laughs)
Do you have a favourite word or phrase in Hungarian? I love the phrase "Jó éjszakát!" (Good night! In English – the ed.) – it sounds like a ninja battle cry. Otherwise I think Hungarian words are very expressive in general. For example there is the word "cuki" (cute in English – the ed.), and I think its sound describes very well what it means.
Gyõzõ Vásárhelyi (1906 – 1997), was a Hungarian–French, who is widely accepted as the leader of the short-lived op-art movement.
What are your plans with the Hungarian language? I have no particular plans, I can only say that I'm very fond of Hungary. I like that there are so much green in the city and people are friendly. As far as I know the legacy of your great-grandfather is very important to your family. That's right. My father is the president of Fondation Vasarely, and my whole family participate actively in its work. My brother is working on the foundation's catalogue. Aix-en is a very nice town, we love to live there, and it is a very good location for the Vasarely's paintings. Is it possible not to deal with the legacy of the Vasarely-family? Of course. I could decide not care about Gyõzõ's heritage, but it is important to me personally. I want to do something to preserve this fantastic oeuvre. His paintings make their viewers work, so we are required to actively participate in their interpretation. We can not just overlook them. I'm glad and I'm proud that our family had such an extraordinary member. You did not know Gyõzõ. No. He had passed away a few years before I was born. All I know about him come from my father's memories. For example, I know that he worked a lot, had a strict agenda and never went on vacation. He loved beautiful things. He loved playing chess, and he taught my dad how to play it. Is the name Vasarely well-known in France? Gyõzõ was a very important figure in the field of fine arts, thus the name sounds familiar to almost everyone, even if they do not know his proper field of art. Szilvia SZITA
More info: http://www.fondationvasarely.fr/ Teo Vasarely was interviewed in September, 2016.
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International Studies Center University of Pécs 3 decades of experience with international programs and students, a strive for continuity and renewal, for diversity and integration, as well as constant innovation are the qualities that characterize the work of the International Studies Center University of Pécs (ISC), Medical School and its English and Hungarian Programmes. ENGLISH PROGRAMME ACADEMIC SUCCESS THROUGH APPRECIATING DIVERSITY The ISC is one of the facilities at our campuses where students can really feel the vibe of diversity. Our students have the opportunity to become a formative part of the international community of the University. INTEGRATED PREPARATORY PROGRAMMES The English Programme at ISC offers preparatory programmes that cover the ever widening international course portfolio of the 10 Faculties of the University. The integrated preparatory programmes have a uniform structure with contents differing according to the chosen study field. Thus our students leaving for undergraduate studies have comparable yet specialized skills and knowledge that enhance their success at university. INCLUSIVE AND OPEN-ENDED STUDY PROGRAMMES The open-ended study programmes are available both for students whose fluency in English needs considerable improvement and for those who have already reached or even passed the upper-intermediate level in English minimally required by Hungarian universities. ENGLISH AS A LINGUA FRANCA One of the assets of ISC's preparatory programmes is that the language classes are designed with a focus on English as a Lingua Franca since both the host society/ academic community and the students are non-native speakers of the language. In most cases English is a 'contact language' between speakers who share neither a common native tongue nor a common culture. The programme effectively assists non-native students in becoming competent language users, who can creatively bridge the differences of cultural origin between themselves and others. PROVIDING SOFT-LANDING AT THE UNIVERSITY AND IN HUNGARY The integrated preparatory programmes give students the opportunity to feel at home in the social and cultural contexts of Hungary and at the University well before their undergraduate studies start. A wide range of compulsory and elective courses ensure the enhancement of language skills, subject-related and cultural literacy, as well as intercultural awareness. SUBJECT-FIELD SPECIFIC STUDIES The last stage of the preparatory programmes is complete with courses held by the professors of the future faculty of the students. These courses are introductory 26 UNIVPECS INTERNATIONAL
courses to undergraduate studies all modelling university lectures and seminars. These courses also effectively assist our students in integrating into the academic culture and processes at the University of Pécs or any other university. QUALITY GUARANTEE WITH INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE EXAM ISC's preparatory programmes are always designed and developed following a thorough needs analysis. Uniquely in Hungary and the region, the programmes systematically conform not only to the European Framework of Reference for the Attainment of Languages but to the European and the Hungarian Frameworks of Qualification as well. This provides exceptional transparency of the programs and comparability of the training on a European level. Students complete any of ISC's preparatory programmes with a minimally B2 level ECL Language Exam. The language exam is accredited and recognized in the EU.
HUNGARIAN PROGRAM Your everyday life speaks Hungarian – semester courses for enhancing your Hungarian skills You can learn Hungarian as a foreign language at the International Studies Center UP MS during the fall and spring semesters. The Hungarian language course, during the twelve-week long semester contains 48 contact hours (2x90 minutes / week). ECTS or university credits may be earned after a successful written and oral exam. Hungarian lessons are held in 5 language levels. Students have the opportunity to plan the timetable for Hungarian lessons adjusted to their own Univeristy schedule. Lots of learning lots of fun – Hungarian Language and Culture Summer University The Hungarian Language and Culture Summer University celebrated the 17th anniversary this year. The intensive course provides efficient language knowledge through both the language lessons made complete with projects and outdoor programmes. The language lessons of the Summer University are accompanied by cultural seminars. MAGYAROK® LEARNING MATERIAL We have designed a cutting-edge learning package for your efficient and pleasurable learning experience. Our course book, MagyarOK, was awarded the European Language Label, a prize for innovative projects in language teaching and learning. The study materials used in class and the experience-based, outdoor lessons lay a solid foundation of language knowledge, and place meaningful communication and natural use of language in the foreground.
http://www.isc.pte.hu/
"Why does everybody say that Hungarian is a difficult language? It seems so easy."
Considered both extremely hard to learn, and undeserving of significant investment due to its limited applicability outside of Hungary, the learners' motivation in approaching Hungarian is lowered from the outset. As Zsolt Liebhardt's survey has shown, very few learners wish to achieve a high level of Hungarian, with most of them studying the language out of politeness towards members of the local community, out of curiosity and to make their daily lives in Hungary easier. In order to communicate with Hungarian speakers, they prefer to use English or, in some cases, German.
Unless learners are given proper guidance to overcome their initial apprehension in learning Hungarian, they soon give up on both, learning the language and believing that they can integrate into the local community successfully. Under these circumstances, the role of language classes is central since they provide an environment where preconceptions about the language can be discussed, attenuated and alleviated. Teachers can outline tasks that invite learners to initiate contacts with native speakers in Hungarian facilitating the first steps of their integration into the local community. The MagyarOK 1 learning package was developed with the main objective that, by completing the curriculum, students should have acquired not only a sound linguistic basis in contemporary Hungarian but also all pragmatic competences necessary for successful integration. In 2013, MagyarOK received the European Language Label, awarded to the most innovative language learning projects.
A Communicative-Lexical Approach The learning package aims at helping learners to acquire a sound knowledge of the Hungarian language together with the necessary intercultural and pragmatic competences. In Chapter 1 of the MagyarOK textbook the presentation of new linguistic items reflects another general guiding principle applied throughout the entire learning package: most tasks and activities link familiar phenomena (international words) to unfamiliar ones (their Hungarian spelling and pronunciation). Students leave their first lesson with approximately 50 new words and 10 useful sentences, the rules of Hungarian pronunciation and the concept of vowel harmony. Such a dynamic first encounter can be highly motivating. According to Liebhardt, once a German student asked him at the end of his first lesson: Why does everybody say that Hungarian is a difficult language? It seems so easy.
A Multimodal-Cooperative Approach Research has shown that humans are more likely to retain information when it is communicated via more than one channel. To maximize the effectiveness of learning and to accommodate different learning styles, activities for the classroom are based
on a multimodal approach involving a maximum number of sensory organs. For the same reason, we have opted for a cooperative approach rather than for more competitive forms of interaction in the classroom.
Intercultural awareness Cultural integration is bidirectional by nature; learners desire not only entry points to the target culture but also that their culture is acknowledged and accepted by members of the target community. Once learners have been given the opportunity to tell about their own country and culture in the classroom and they have noticed curiosity and positive attitude on behalf of their teachers, their willingness to interact with native speakers increases. A colleague who works with Syrian refugees reported that the attitude of one of the schoolboys she has been working with has visibly changed towards Hungary and Hungarians after he was invited to present his country to his classmates and his teacher in the Hungarian lesson.
Outside the classroom: language learning and integration Our experience shows that learners appreciate some guidance as to how they can benefit from everyday interactions to enhance their learning. At the International Studies Center of University of PĂŠcs, the MagyarOK Expedition program has been established to bridge the gap between language acquisition in and outside the classroom. In the framework of this program learners come into contact with native speakers, interview them or execute tasks with their help. The encounters are prepared in class. Learners are helped over the difficulties of the first contacts with Hungarians in Hungarian and they make the experience of being able to interact, to some extent, with native speakers. The printed materials of the total learning package consist of a textbook and a workbook. An essential part of the MagyarOK are the internet-based materials available on the www.magyar-ok.hu website, it is freely accessible for everyone. Kata PELCZ and Szilvia SZITA UNIVPECS INTERNATIONAL 27
New Study Abroad programs at the University of Pécs Invite your friends to join you for a semester at the University of Pécs! Here at the University of Pécs we have designed semester/ year-long Study Abroad programs for the incoming international students. Those students who are enrolled in foreign universities on graduate or undergraduate level can spend a semester or an academic year at our university and study various subjects in English. They can earn transferable credits towards their home degree here on a very reasonable price level.
We offer semester/year-long Study Abroad programs in the following areas: Business Administration, Applied Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Computer Science, Psychology, International Relations, English and American Studies, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Art History, Painting, Sculpture, Ceramic Design, Graphic Design and Music Please find more details about our Study Abroad programs on our website: http://international.pte.hu/study-abroadprogrammes You can also follow us on Facebook at 'Study Abroad in Pécs, Hungary' and on Twitter at 'Study Abroad in Pécs HU'. Encourage your friends to apply to our Study Abroad programs and enjoy being in Pécs together!
Centre for International Relations, University of Pécs, Vasvári Pál u. 4
"Hi my name is Taylor, I' San Diego m from State Unive rsity. I spen the fall 20 t 16 semester at the University of Pécs. I chos e this school beca use I needed classes taught in En glish and I wanted to experience a culture comp letely different than my own. My favorite part about b eing here is that I have made many f riends from places all around the w orld! I think you should choose Pécs too, it's a c ozy, welcoming city and it's easy to explore other parts of Europe f rom here!" 28 UNIVPECS INTERNATIONAL
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Hola, buenos días! Did you know that from 2007 a lot Spanish have chosen our city to do their University studies? Well, most of them came here to study medicine since it was easier to get into Medical School (they would have needed approximately 9,3 out of 10 to study in Spain). In the following we will see what they think about Pécs, about university life, about the Hungarian people and about the way they managed to find our city on the map. How did they find Pécs? Most of them say they just heard about Pécs from other people, but the very first "Spaniard" generation admits they just 'googled' it (where to study medicine in Europe). Pécs was the first city to offer Medical studies in English in central Europe (in 1984). When asked about school life they all have different opinions. "I've never had an oral exam so it was really hard to get used to take an exam orally in a different language and to be exposed to that kind of uncertainty". "Meeting new people whose mother tongue wasn't Spanish and especially doing exams in English was the hardest". About Hungary the vast majority have good words. "Before I came here I had only heard about Budapest, which is also amazing. Pécs is small, but you can find a lot of opportunities to have a good time, to go to a concert almost every day and so on..." But sometimes the stereotypes become true… "In Keleti Pályaudvar (the first well-known place in Hungary by all international students I guess) when I wanted to buy the ticket to 'Pecs' and after 5 minutes of Activity game the lovely woman looked into my eyes, recognizing that I wanted to go to 'Pécs' and how she said it correctly, that was amazing…" Following their first good experience after arriving in Pécs, they just like it. As they say, they have a place and a life here
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that most of their friends at home could never dream of having even though they don't know where Pécs is. Spain is also not known to be among the richest countries, but the biggest difference between the two countries (next to the sunshine hours) is that "Hungary is so cheap and people work for little money." And what about the Hungarian language? Is that really an impossible mission? "Yes." It seems that most of them just give it up after their first Hungarian course at the university, which is necessary for everybody. "Old people don't speak any other languages, like in most other countries, but actually Hungarians speak better English that we Spanish do, due to the difficulty of the Hungarian language I guess you have the need to learn other languages because no one else speaks Hungarian outside Hungary." As speaking of the Hungarian language, they show how perfectly they can ask someone 'Mi a panasza?' but when the patient gives the answer google translate is proven the best solution. Being a student is not only about studying. As it was mentioned, in Pécs you can find the proper way to have a beer in the right place with the right people, but how does it work in Spain? If in Spain you ask for a beer, you will get a 'ca?a' or a 'tubo', that here means a 'glass' (pohár), and they also serve you a 'tapa' without any question, that is something to eat next to your drink. But the biggest difference is the time, when people are going out, or going home from the club. In Spain you sit maybe until midnight in a tapas bar, speaking loud with your friends, discussing where to go next. Around 1 am you find the right place to continue the night, but this place may not be a club. And then, when the clubs open around 3–4 am, you go there until the first 'churrería' opens and you can have a breakfast of fresh churros. Pécs is getting more and more diverse with these lovely, loud people, and hopefully this is not the last Spanish generation who come here! Áron TÓTH
Goulash is the all-time favourite
What do our foreign students like to eat?
I have a lot of friends among foreign students and one of our main issues is where to eat well. Othmane Ahmed's (Tunisia) favourite is goulash, because he is very fond of spicy food. He also likes the sweets like kürtõskalács and pancakes. However he thinks that Hungarian cuisine is too fatty and uses too much butter, oil, and of course we eat pork which is also a negative thing for him. When it comes to cooking Ahmed cooks Tunisian dishes and uses a lot of spices, most of them he has brought from Tunisia. His favourite Tunisian dishes are couscous and kafteji. Robin Cathey (USA) said he loves lángos. He often cooks at home, including pasta, salad, tomato soup, tacos, avocado omelette, but he likes to dine in the city. Hany Badawy (Egypt) likes stew, egg noodles and potato noodles made with a lot of ground red pepper. Hany is also fond of Hungarian soups and happily cooks Hungarian dishes at home. Hany mixes Hungarian and Egyptian cuisine, but the taste of their own choosing requires more time. One of his favourite meals is fetteh. Arun Nagarajan (India) is a vegetarian, that is why he has not tried many Hungarian dishes, but he loves our spicy flavours. His favourite food is falafel, and he often cooks at home. He uses a lots of vegetables, fruits, lentils, rice, millet, curries and noodles. Nnabu Monday Meshach (Nigeria) is eager to taste new dishes, his favourite is goulash as it is full of vegetables, meat
and pepper. Nigerian cuisine also uses a lot of spices and natural oils, they love spicy soups and barbecue. His favourite dishes are ogbonu and coconut, rice and bean soups. Jeff Adov (Republic of Benin) mentioned the goulash soup as his favourite. He usually cooks winter-time Italian or Arabic Maghribian dishes in his own kitchen, because the proper ingredients for his home country dishes such as yams, okra (reminiscent of pepper plants), plantain (a kind of banana) are not available here. Andrea Fatale's (Italy) new favourite dish is chicken broth. He cooks Hungarian dishes at home, but he uses much less onions. He says his life would be unimaginable without the traditional Italian pasta. Aino Lindholm (Finland) likes almost everything seasoned with paprika. His favourite dishes are stuffed cabbage, meat soup, beef goulash and lángos. Surprisingly he knows and likes Hungarian dishes like rooster testicle stew, "tócsni", fried blood with onions. He likes the beigli, and he could not mention any Hungarian dish which he did not find delicious. As a negative experience, he finds that some of the Hungarian dishes are too heavy for his stomach. As a local girl I have to agree with the previous speakers: I have been to a lot of countries, I tasted authentic dishes, but the broth, stew, cottage cheese pasta with cracklings and pancakes are superlative. Krisztina KOVÁCS UNIVPECS INTERNATIONAL 31
Hungarian Kitchen Horror Story Monstrous meals: Soups – In my opinion Hungary is the one and only country which considers soup as a starter and not as a main course. It was our grandmothers' teaching that soup was the meal which "makes place for the main course" so we should eat it this first. Apart from the world famous goulash, the other typical Hungarian soup is the meat soup aka broth. The most typical variety is made of chicken or beef. A typical homemade meat soup has giant oval fat drops floating on its surface giving its specifying goldish colour. The hard-core cook put a whole chicken into the soup. Piece by piece. Usually legs float on the top of the soup's surface making it a horrifying look. The other interesting type of soup is the sweet soups. It can be made of any fruit. These are usually cream soups but their sweetness is surprising. Pasta with poppy seeds: In the greatest part of the world poppy seeds are connected to drugs and opium. However, you cannot prepare this Hungarian meal without its dark seeds. It is really easy to make as it only requires pasta, poppy seeds and some sugar. It has become one of the favourite dishes of children and anyone who has once tasted it. The Hungarian version of Christmas cake (Bejgli) is also made with poppy seeds. Fried cheese in breadcrumb – Breadcrumb coating is natural for Hungarian cuisine. Usually it is meat which is coated with it but people sometimes use vegetables for example cucumber, mushrooms, eggplant etc. For vegetarians the most popular kind is fried cheese. It is easy to make and very delicious. I warmly recommend it with blueberry jam. Sinister sweets: Winter Ice cream – Yes, it does exist. It is one of those popular retro sweets that are hard to describe. Ice cream cone, chocolate cream and flat chocolate coin. In a way it gives back the feeling of ice cream eating in those dark and cold winter nights. Bird's milk – Those Hungarians and those weird animals… again… They are milking not only cows but also birds? I guess that is on your mind, but don't worry we are not so barbaric. It is just a strange name for a dessert of fluffy meringue floating on vanilla custard. 32 UNIVPECS INTERNATIONAL
Nothing is better than exploring a new country. New life, new people and especially new culinary delights. We know a sign of culture shock is the growing hunger for food in the new country. Foreign foods or drinks look so strange as if they stepped out from a horror movie. However, as we know, sometimes the horrible looks can be very delicious. The following stories about Hungarian cuisine may sound weird or gross but for Hungarians it is part of their everyday life and for foreigners they are worth a taste. Let's see the kitchen monsters and the dishes that look exotic to foreigners.
Diana Candy – Number one on the strange desserts' list. Sugar bonbons covered with chocolate filled with salted wine spirit (sósborszesz). Ancient but good. And at the end of the meal let's finish with some Satanic Snacks: Bread with fat – An easy festival meal, the perfect snack next to mulled wine is a slice of bread with fat spread on it, red paprika and some onion slices. Village feast served in our mouth. Töpörtyû (Greaves) and Disznósajt (Brawn) – Don't worry Hungarians don't milk the pig. Pig slaughtering is a vintage Hungarian habit with the aim of storing food resources for the whole year. Hungarians have discovered how to "recycle the pig" one hundred percent. One part of this recycling is brawn. It includes everything which is not used in any other pork products like sausage. Greaves is the fried pigs fat . It is very delicious but is very hard to digest, so it is not recommended to eat a lot from it. Lángos – The Hungarian pizza with cow food….. ok don't panic Lángos is a perfect breakfast on festivals, or when you go to the fresh food market in the morning. The meal is basically a fried dough, with garlic, sour cream and cheese on top. Not a fitness food but typical and delicious. Körözött: Cottage cheese – This milk product is popular around the world. It is perfect for bread with vegetables mixed inside. Sweet cottage cheese rolls (Túró Rudi) – Last but not least the Hungaricum of sweets. The third most famous Hungarian food apart from goulash and pálinka. Sweet cottage cheese rolls in chocolate coating provides an interesting and delicious sweet which represents our whole country. I hope I managed to call your attention to some of these freaky but fine foods. Most of them are easy to make and in the meantime you can learn a lot about Hungary and its culture. Viktor GOLDMANN-GÖRÖG
Pécs Summer School 2017 awaits you!
Planning to have an unforgettable summer BUSINESS SIMONYI SUMMER ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONSULTING PROGRAM Date: July 1 –30 Short description: The Simonyi Summer Entrepreneurship Consulting Program is designed to train and mentor participants from diverse disciplines to get involved in improving their own and their peers' entrepreneurial mind-set. Social programs: City Tour, Celebration of 4 July, Wine Tasting, Hungarian Cooking Competition Who should apply: Undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines who are seeking a unique opportunity for learning through experiencing business consulting entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship and innovation. Language of instruction: English Earned credits: 15 ECTS credits Organizing unit: Simonyi Business and Economic Development Center Website: www.summersimonyi.ktk.pte.hu
DEBATE PÉCS DEBATE ACADEMY SUMMER SCHOOL AND CULTURE WEEK 'UNIVERSITY EDUCATION AND STUDENT LIFE IN THE 21ST CENTURY' Date: July 28 – August 6 Short description: Join our Pécs Debate Academy Summer School and receive up-todate knowledge about the hot topics of today's higher education! Do you want to make your opinion heard? Come and improve your debating skills with us, using the most effective content, style, speed, tone and volume! Our unique Debate Academy Summer School uses a mixed methodology. Not only will you learn about issues of higher education from experts of the field, but also have the opportunity to develop your speaking skills and learn to argue according to the techniques of the British Parliamentary Debate style.
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Earn credits during the summer while learning something new and having fun in an international environment! As part of our internationalization strategy, the University of Pécs is working on offering a growing number of Summer Schools to our international, Hungarian and incoming students. In 2017 the University of Pécs announces the following exciting and unique summer programs:
Social programs: Concert, cultural and interactive events such as concerts, country presentations, sport contests, social night, field trip, sightseeing Who should apply: Undergraduate, graduate and PhD students Language of instruction: English Earned credits: 6 ECTS credits Organizing unit: UP Centre for International Relations together with SIEN Foundation Website: www.pecsdebateacademy.hu
LANGUAGES HUNGARIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE SUMMER UNIVERSITY Date: July 24 – August 20 (4-week-long course) July 24 – August 6 (2-week-long course) Short description: Would you like to learn Hungarian in an interesting, effective and playful way? Apply to our Hungarian Language and Culture Summer University to learn not only the language but also to receive up-to-date information about Hungarian culture, cuisine, traditions and much more! All in a very amusing way, in small multicultural groups. Learn our unique and very interesting language in the natural language environment and learn more than just a language! Social programs: trips to the countryside, sports programs, hiking, cultural programs including making traditional handcrafted artifacts, learning folk dances, experiencing Hungarian gastronomy and wine tasting. Who should apply: anyone who is interested in speaking Hungarian. International students who will start their studies in September or already study in Hungary, but do not have time during the semester. Language of instruction: Hungarian (English) Earned credits: 13.5 ECTS / 9 ECTS credits Organizing unit: University of Pécs, Medical School, International Studies Center Website: www.isc.pte.hu; www.magyar-ok.hu
MUSIC POP UP MUSIC CAMP Date: June 16 –21 Short description: Are you a festival-goer and interested in learning how to organize a pop festival? Come to Pécs, our Hungarian Liverpool and home to many very popular Hungarian rock bands! Learn how to organize a pop music festival like the professionals do! Pécs has an immense atmosphere of pop music – you can sense the music here! Join our unique Music Camp and learn from professional festival organizers and musicians how to: 1. organize and promote a music festival 2. create visual effects 3. perform your own music on stage Participants will have a special opportunity to follow and participate in the preparation of the amazing pop music festival, Fishing on Orfû. Social programs: The night-off programs will include concerts and participation in the various ongoing cultural events in Pécs. Who should apply: Undergraduate, graduate and PhD students Language of instruction: English Earned credits: 2 ECTS credits Organizing unit: PTE University of Music Website: www.zen.pte.hu
SOCIAL SCIENCES NEW BORDERS BETWEEN OLD NEIGHBOURS – RETURN OF HISTORY IN THE DANUBE REGION? DRC Summer School Date: July 2–9 Short description: Join our DRC Summer School and receive up-to-date knowledge about the political, economic and social challenges of the Danube Region! Do you have research results about the Danube region that you would like to share? Or would you just like to express your thoughts and learn from experts? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the region? What does the future hold? Register if you are interested in the region's political, economic, historical and social processes – discover our workshops and present your idea and research. Social programs: sightseeing, wine-tasting, excursions Who should apply: BA, MA, PhD level scientists from Social, Human and Political Sciences Language of instruction: English Earned credits: 10 ECTS credits Organizing unit: IDM Vienna, University of Pécs Website: drcsummerschool.eu
SELF-DEVELOPMENT PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING Date: June 26–28 Short description: Apply to our Personal Development training if you would like to learn about yourself, to be able to identify your strengths and values, and build and communicate your personal brand. This training will also help you improve your communication and debate skills and teach you how to enter the job market successfully. Social programs: City tour, welcome and farewell party, karaoke party Who should apply: Undergraduate and graduate students who would like to increase self-esteem in everyday life and entering the labor market Language of instruction: English Earned credits: 3 ECTS credits Organizing unit: Centre for International Relations Website: http://international.pte.hu/summerschools
Summer Schools are learning AND tremendous fun! Find something related to your degree or to your interest! Join our Summer Schools and invite your friends, too! Don't miss the opportunity! Choose a program and apply now!
More information: http://international.pte.hu/summerschools; summerschool.pte.hu You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter at 'Pécs Summer School'. University of Pécs Centre for International Relations summerschoolpecs@pte.hu UNIVPECS INTERNATIONAL 35
Application for the spring semes ter of the Dancing University is possible from February 13 to 18, 2017 at http://tancolo.pte.hu/en. The courses begin on February 20. Classes can be taken as sports courses as well, in this case regis tration needs to be done at Neptun.
Dance through the semester! Ballroom dancing Instructor: Ms. Judit Papp Time: Thu 17.30–19.00 Belly Dance Instructor: Ms. Indzsi Deniz Time: Thu 17.30–19.00 Body-Shaping Dance Aerobics Instructor: Ms. Kata Szalai Time: Tue 16.00–17.30 Croatian, Serb, Macedonian Dances Instructor: Veszna Vélin Time: Tue 17.30–19.00 Cuban Salsa Instructor: Ms. Barbara Vágási and Mr. Balázs Kutni Time: Wed 17.30–19.00 Employers' Ballroom Dancing Instructor: Mr. Balázs Kapronczai Time: Wed 16.30–17.30 Employers' Gymnastics Time: Thu 16.30–17.30 Hip-hop Instructor: Mr. Tamás Horváth Time: Mon 18.30–20.00
Hungarian Folk Dance Instructor: Mrs. Andrea Tandi Mosgai, Mr. Tibor Tandi Time: Thu 19.00–20.30 Latin Dances Instructor: Mr. János Józsa Time: Tue 20.30–22.00
Latin Freestyle Arobics Instructor: Ms. Adrien Szabó Time: Mon 17.00–18.30 Self-Defense Instructor: Mr. Zsolt Lenkei Time: Fri 13.00–14.15 Show/Musical Dance Instructor: Ms. Judit Papp Time: Tue 19.00–20.30 Yoga Instructor: Ms. Boglárka Gyenis Time: Wed 15.00–16.30 Creative Dance for PD and MS Patients Instructor: Ms. Beáta Szuhán-Glass Time: Fri 14.15–15.00
Events, tournaments and cups – the UP Sports Bureau organizes exciting programmes during this spring and summer.
How about
sport?
One of its these special programmes is the Jubilee Pentathlon. It will include five events: Pub Sports Night, Futsal Cup between the faculties of UP, UP Historic Memorial Run 1367, 7th PTE Dragon Boat Regatta, and Lake Balaton Open Water Swimming. The Jubilee Pentathlon aims to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the foundation of Hungary's first university. For students who love sports festivals, there will be the outstanding Danube regatta, the largest Hungarian sports festival in Budapest. Here, in Pécs a Sports Festival will be held for the first time during August. More info: http://sportiroda.pte.hu/
UP Sports Bureau Program 2017 Spring 22 February III. PTE Squash Cup End of February – beginning of March Competitions of faculties, PTE Futsal League 08–09 March Jubilee Pentathlon 1st event: 3rd UP Pub Sports Night 20 March Football Tournament between Faculties of the UP 22 March Talking about sport (topic: football) 29–30 March Jubilee Pentathlon 2nd event: Futsal Cup between Faculties UP 12 April ARC. PTE B33 Streetball Cup 26 April (Rain Date: 27 April) Jubilee Pentathlon 3rd event. UP Historic Memorial Run 1367 29 April Jubilee Pentathlon 4th event: VI. PTE Dragon Boat Regatta 6 May Danube Regatta 1 July Jubilee Pentathlon 5th event: Lake Balaton Open Water Swimming 17–20 August Jubilee International Sport Festival
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Jubilee Supplement King Louis the Great, Pope V. Orbán and Bishop William established the first university of Hungary in 1367. On the occasion of the 650th anniversary of the foundation of the University of Pécs the Parliament decided that 1 September will be the Day of the Hungarian higher education and the memorial day of the university foundation in Pécs. The jubilee emphasizes the international pioneering role of Hungarian higher education through several h istoric periods.
The first university of Hungary The history of higher education in Pécs dates back to 1367, when Louis the Great initiated the establishment of a university in the episcopal city of Pécs. There are not abundant sources concerning the short, only a fewdecade-long operation of the university (studium generale). Its establishment is an integral part of the Central and Eastern European trend of university foundations. During the wave of foundations brought to life by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV (1346–1378) by establishing the University of Prague (1348), the studium generales in Cracow (1364), and Vienna (1365), and finally in Pécs were set up almost the same time.
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William of Koppenbach, Bishop of Pécs, played a key role in the establishment of the university, which is clearly reflected in the choice of the seat of the institution. The cleric, originally from Pfalz (Germany), started serving King Ludwig I in 1358, as the monarch's diplomat, counsellor, secret Chancellor and chapel steward (1358 to 1374). During his career in the Church, he was a priest in Bergzabern (Germany), provost first in Cazma (Croatia) then in Eger (Hungary), and finally Bishop of Pécs (1361–1374). The foundation was primarily due to expectations claimed for the participants of the royal diplomacy, namely to bear the canonical legal qualification essential for negotiations. Bishop William, as a secret chancellor and chapel steward, was in charge of the king's diplomatic corps, therefore, he could be more aware of the advantages of a domestic university than anyone else. Obviously, the approval of the king was necessary, however, the monarch's role could be regarded as a formal requirement only needed during the official Vatican process. The initiative role of the high priest is supported by the selection of the seat as well as his role in the remuneration of the professors. The studium generale of Pécs copied the structure of the University of Padua. The chancellor, i.e., the head of the institution was always the actual Bishop. In fact, all power concerned concentrated in his hands, thus he exercised jurisdiction over students and professors alike, while he was in charge of governing the institution, too. It was also the chancellor who awarded academic degrees to candidates after taking examinations successfully. Many people attempted to extend the operation of the medieval university in Pécs until the middle or end of 15th century, or else as late as until 1543. It seems certain, however, that the studium generale of Pécs, strongly connected with the person of bishop William, began to decline after the founder's death. The most eminent professor of the institution, Galvano di Bologna left Pécs, and by 1374 he was teaching in Italy once again. Bishop Bálint Alsáni still took the position of the Chancellor, however, it is likely that the institution ceased functioning during his official time as a Bishop, namely in the 1390s. The excavations beginning in 1967 in the vicinity of the cathedral revealed a building, together with the Golden Chapel of Mary, between the Cathedral and the city wall, which used to serve as the Episcopal palace of the bishops of Pécs between the 11th and14th centuries. It was last rebuilt in the second half of the 14th century. During the excavations lead by dr. Mária Sándor and Dr. Gyõzõ Gerõ a coat of arms referring to Bishop William was unearthed, which confirmed the assumption that the building was constructed by the order of bishop William playing an important role in the establishment of the university, who, probably had the former palace converted in connection with the establishment of the university. Source and more info: www.pte.hu/English
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The University of Pécs is 650 years old – spring programs of the jubilee The University of Pécs is celebrating it's 650th birthday on the 1st of September 2017, thus the series of the jubilee events begins. As in the year 2016, 2017 going to have some great events where organizers are waiting for the visitors' enquiry.
Jubilee spring events of 2017 Open University event series Herbs and Phermacy (Dr. Szabó László) 24th January. PTE Faculty of Adult Education and Human Resources Development, Hall of FEEFI, Pécs, Szántó Kovács János street 1/B. The events of spring begins on the 24th of January with Dr. Szabó László's lecture about "Herbs and Pharmacy". The lecture is about the interesting facts of herbs and their role in healing. Although herbs aren't some kind of potions but the reserves of pharmacy and researches of medicine. Some herbs which whit milder milder compounds, even today are part of pharmaceutics. Chocolate carnival of Pécs 4th – 5th of February. Zsolnay Quarter This event is held for the 5th time with the cooperation of Csoko-Láda and the Zsolnay Quarter. This event is not only made for the chocolate craftsmen's sale from different parts of the country but it is also giving place for cultural events, playhouse, and exhibition during the weekend. During the previous years, the free event had 3–4 thousand visitors
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Open University event series "Knowledge is power", from people's upbringing to adult education (Dr. Németh Balázs) 7th of February. PTE Faculty of Adult Education and Human Resources Development, Hall of FEEFI, Pécs, Szántó Kovács János street 1/B. Within the programs of Open University, on the 7th of February, enquirers may attend on the lecture of Dr. Németh Balázs about the Hungarian education system and it's main periods and characteristics. By demonstrating political, social and economic aspects, which slowly led synchronizing our nation's adult education system with the European education and upbringing system XXI-th University Ball in the spirit of the Jubilee 11th – 12th February. PTE Dr. Romhányi György Hall During the night, our guests may adumbrate to the second half of the XIV-th century's lifestyle, food, music and dance. The posy of the event is: "Medieval gentry's spree".
XI-th Jubilee Pollack Expo 2nd – 3rd of March. Expo Centre Pécs The XIth Jubilee Pollack Expo held by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology annually. The series of exhibition and lectures is the greatest muster of South West Hungary. The trade fair presents around 100 new inventions connected to IT and engineering. Visitors may interact on the first performance or listen to the lectures about interesting engineering facts and novelty Open University event series Folding Roof in Architecture (Dr. Halada Miklós) 7th of March. PTE Faculty of Adult Education and Human Resources Development, Hall of FEEFI, Pécs, Szántó Kovács János street 1/B. The Open University's next lecture will be held ont the 7th of March by Dr. Halada Miklós "Folding Roof in Architecture". In the past decade, all around the world folding rooves got popular, even from small to stadium sizes. During the lecture their use and mechanism will be presented
INTERNATIONAL SPRING EVENT SERIES From the 11th of March – 28th of April
International Evening 11th of March. Expo Centre Pécs The English-German Student Council organizing this event annually which is held for our international students where they can present their own country and culture to the participants of the event. The International Evening is one of the most popular event alongside with PEN. Erasmus Alumni Day 20th of March BTK Hall This program is made for those who would like to go abroad via Erasmus. During this event, students whom been on an Erasmus program before can tell their own experiences and show photos to the potential future Erasmus students. International scholarship fair during PTE's university job fair and carrier day 29th of March. This event is organized for the university students whom searching for job or international scholarship. During this event those who are interested get proper help from mentors and advisors.
Diplomats of the Round Table 5th of April
Honorary Doctorate Inauguration Ceremony Senates Seat on the occasion of the 15th of March 16th of March. Liszt Ferenc Concert Hall, Zsolnay Square The event will take place in an honorary inauguration, the titular of the reader, teacher's title and the conveyance of diplomas.
During this event the Hungarian diplomatic corps are invited to argue about international political issues. Students may ask questions for the invited lecturers. The program is free for the citizens of Pécs.
Multicultural and business capacity development in the spirit of multiculturalism – The visit of Middlesex University London validation. 16th – 17th of March. PTE Faculty of Economics
Motivational Speaker 7th of April. PTE-ÁOK Hall
We celebrated the cooperation of The British Middlesex University London and the University of Pécs's Faculty of Economics 20th anniversary in 2016 November. The aim of this event was to show the success of the program in the life of The University of Pécs and to recall its history. Our next step in order of building our relationship is the Master of Sciences Enterprise Development and Entrepreneurship training validation, which is executed by the Middlesex University London. TEMATICHAL DAY/NIGHT (ASIAN, AFRICAN, SOUTH-AMERICAN, LATINAMERICAN) events 20th of March – 7th of May.
The English-German Student Council (EGSC) invites an outstanding and popular lecturer to the University of Pécs where students and the citizens of Pécs may attend on this event. Erasmus Staff Week 24th – 28th of April Senate Hall, Tudásközpont We invite our international university partners for a conference where those whom working in international relations can talk about issues related to their field. This Jubilee event is a good opportunity for talking about the Oldest Universities' Network preparation with the help of the partners of PTE.
Asian Days 20th – 24th of March The Asian students and the diplomatic bodies of their countries with the evolvement of Confucius institution, lectures and concerts will be held about the many varied cultures. These programs are free to visit to the citizens of Pécs.
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South-American Days and Migration conference 27th – 31th of March Tudásközpont With the help of the North-American students and the embassies of the continent and their cultural institution, programs and scientific lectures will be held. During this event, famous American lecturers will be invited to talk about the researches of migration and the most important current issues. African Days 4th – 6th of April. The programs will be about the key challenges, achievements, the diversity of the African culture, through lectures, photo exhibitions, concerts and dance performances with the help of the African community living in our country, as well with the cooperation of African students of our University. These programs are free to visit to the citizens of Pécs. European Days 18th – 28th of April. We would like to rely on our students to present the diversity of the European cultures to the citizens of Pécs. During the event concerts, cooking demonstrations and documentary movies about movies will be exhibited. These programs are free to visit to the citizens of Pécs. Latin-American days 1st–7th May. The event will be about cultural values of Latin America, concerts, photo exhibitions, cultural performances, film screenings and Latin dance teaching, etc… These programs will be present-
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ed by students from Latin-American countries. The University of Pécs organizing the Ibro-Amerika week for 18 times in a row now where cultural programs are taking place. These programs are free to visit to the citizens of Pécs. Open University event series "... our smallest friends and our greatest enemies" (Prof. Dr. Bódis József) 21th of March. PTE Faculty of Adult Education and Human Resources Development, Hall of FEEFI, Pécs, Szántó Kovács János street 1/B. The Open University lecture series is pleased to present the discourse of Professor Dr. Bódis József the rector of The University of Pécs. The lecture's title ".. Our smallest friends and our greatest enemies" is quoted from our legendary philologist Professor Romhányi György which refers to platelets in our body. During the lecture he presents all the scientific knowledge through his own research by the field of reproduction, confirming the key role of platelets in life functions. The lecture confirms Professor Romhányi's incredible message International interdisciplinary conference on consumption – experiences and perspectives in Central European context 23th – 24th of March Many disciplines concern the research of consumption theory and practice, but the scientific achievements and models they provide rarely cross the disciplinary borders. This fact does not favour the emergence of synergic effects, cross-disciplinary pathways and interdisciplinary results. The posttransition context of Central European
countries creates a further particular dimension to this issue. We organize the International Interdisciplinary Conference on Consumption – Experiences and Perspectives in Central European Context with the aim of offering opportunities for exploring, recording and sharing the existing consumption research results in Central Europe and also initiating interdisciplinary collaborations between the representatives of different consumption research fields in the Central European region. 2nd Cultural Hungarian Day 31th of March – 2nd of April Pécs, Hotel Palatinus, Ceremonial Hall of the County Assembly From all over the world Hungarians meet in a festival spirit where icons of culture, public life, science, arts, business, and gastronomy can introduce themselves. Open University event series The role of time in case of emergency service namely " All is not lost that is delayed" (Dr. Radnai Balázs) 4th of April PTE Faculty of Adult Education and Human Resources Development, Hall of FEEFI, Pécs, Szántó Kovács János street 1/B. Within the confines of the Open University on the 4th of April, Dr. Radnai Balázs is going to give a lecture about the challenges of the emergency service. The title of the lecture is "All is not lost that is delayed" in which people get to know the methodology of the emergency service. Also questions like: how does emergency know where to go first? or whom to nurse first? in time so the patient's state won't get any worse will be answered.
XIII. Hungarian Aerosol Conference 19th – 21th of April. Szentágothai János Research centre, B002 lecture hall This conference is held every two years where Hungarian researchers discuss the effect atmospheric aerosol on weather.
Because of the Jubilee celebration, organizers will be waiting us with a concert. The ladder within you – Street performance in the Hearth of Pécs April Pécs, Downtown Psychically, integrated dance.
Ecumenical Technology Conference – Christian freedom and social modernization? The consequences of theological and cultural reformation 25th of April. Theological Collage of Pécs The conference is not primarily intended to illustrate the historical figure of Luther and the unfolding of the Lutheran Reformation, but the consequences of the modern European secular and religious culture. Accordingly to the presentations on the conference it will partly be dealing with the current theological researches and the relationship between the European modernization and the reformation and how it appears on the Lutheran Christian religious map of Europe. In the morning lectures theologian Peter Neuner from Munich will talk about the significance of the Hungarian version of Luther's book which came out this year. After the lecture during the afternoon we are waiting for our visitors for an interactive conversation with pictures and films. PTE 1367 Historical Running Event 26th of April. Pécs, Downtown The event will be held for the third time now. In the past two years more than one thousand and four hundred students participated on the run. Participants begins from two different points of the city but both of them finish on the main square which is exactly 1367 meters long.
Library Night in Tudásközpont 26th of April. 7622 Pécs, Universitas street 2/a During every spring we annually hold the Library Night in which this year the topic will be the "650 years old University of Pécs" and the middle ages. Thus visitors will be welcomed with medieval games and programs during whole night while looking in the backstage of the library University Days of Pécs (PEN) 28th – 30th of April. Zsolnay Cultural Square This event is organized annually by the University Student Union (EHÖK) which is the only festival for students of our university in Pécs. Open University event series "How much does it cost to improve the regions and what it may bring?" (Dr. Varga Attila) 2nd of May. PTE Faculty of Adult Education and Human Resources Development, Hall of FEEFI, Pécs, Szántó Kovács János street 1/B. Every year, tens of billions of euros, dollars, yuan and forints are spent in nations around the word for regional economic development. This money is spent on roads, developing economy and financing education or improving business conditions. The question remains how to distribute these supports between regions
to rise the value of GDP. About a decade ago, there are methods in economics aimed at answering this question. The lecture shows calculations in the importance of economic policy through a plain style for everyone. PTE Innovation Days 2017 3rd – 4th of May PTE Szentágothai János Research Centre The goal of this event is to attract young scientists' attention for innovation and the expansion of their knowledge. The work of Research Exploitation and Technology Division's (KTTO) work will be introduced in order to rise acquaintance. In the focus of these activities are on the academic knowledge base that effectively integrates the innovation process, making the research and development result, inventions representing real values for economy and society. During the Innovation Day, these processes are described by potential industrial partners. The aim of this event is to show classical values of the University which can easily adapt to the challenges of the present and the future History of Health Sciences 18th – 19th of May. Pécs, Vörösmarty Street 4. The conference is linked to The University of Pécs or in a broader sense the Hungarian health science. Famous scientists and institutions achievements are presented here. The historical past is a cornerstone of the conference which shows international relations. We are dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry, medicine, nursing science, science education, special education, administration and in other disciplines we would like to emphasize the characteristics of health sciences multidisciplinary.
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Faculty of Science foundation's 25th anniversary celebration 18th – 19th of May PTE TTK (7624 Pécs, Ifjúság Street 6.) We are waiting for our co-faculties' leaders and the representatives of the EMMIA to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our University's Faculty of Science. Thanks to the achievements of the alumni program international growth became obtainable. The next day's programs will be held in Pécs's TTK Dean Collage with the attendance from the senior members of the Education Office. Jubilee 650 Exhibition of University History Paris, Rome May – October Hungarian Academy of Rome, Hungarian Institution of Paris During 2017 the exhibition of the University and Faculty of Arts Jubilee Chamber will be held in both capital cities. The impact of globalization on the economic system of labour law institutions – Conference End of May Budapest, MTA Headquarters This is the closing event of the MTA-PTE research program. Teachers' Day Festive Senate Seat 27th of May. Kodály Centre This event is made for the former teachers whom completed their high school education 50, 60, 65 or 70 years ago, where the honorary diplomas will be assigned.
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Secondos conference 15th – 16th of June The Secondos Program is mainly made for Croatian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Russian and Polish-born second generation German migrant students, where they get an opportunity to learn in a part training program with the universities in consortium (University of Pécs, University of Zagreb, Jagellonian University in Krakow, Babes-Bolyai University in ClujNapoca, Kazan Federal University, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The program is made to highlight the linguistic and cultural heritage of secondos migrants. Festive Senate Seat at the end of school year and the inauguration of Dr. HalasyNagy József Hall 15th of June Dr. Halasy-Nagy József Hall During the ceremony diplomas and acknowledgements will be assigned. After closing the school year the renovated hall will be inaugurated. XI. IME-META National Health Economics Training and Conference 23th – 25th of June PTE Szentágothai János Research centre The themes of the conference are the followings: The situation of public health program is Hungary; National brain research and mental diseases effective therapies; Biological therapies financial and efficiency issues in oncology; The process of modernization in healthcare system; Minimally Invasive programs, Healthcare administration's alternation: Altering roles and transparency, Salubrity – Relations in Economics and Health industry; Improvements in the Value-based
financing in health care; Economic evaluation (HTA) the situation and the importance in the CEE countries; Generic substitution and original inclusion – supporting innovation in financing remedies. EFOTT (University and Collage students' national meeting) 11th – 17th of June Lake Velence In 2017 our University got the title for giving place to the events of EFOTT. During this Festival we are waiting our visitors with cultural, artistic, and sport programs all week. TÉRERÕ PÉCS 650 I. Sculptural symposium 15th – 30th of June Pécs–Komló The event's theme is about the emergence of the metal sculpturing, using operational relations. SZÍNERÕ PÉCS V. International Painting symposium 15th – 30th of June Zsolnay quarter In the year of the jubilee, is the fifth time now when this great tradition is organized.
Pécs Debate Academy 2017 – "University Education and Student Life in the 21st Century" 28th of July – 6th of August PTE Pollack campus, Est Café, Neozin, Pécs Downtown, Zsolnay Quarter, Trafik, Apolló Cinema
The inauguration of the 650 Jubilee Figurine 30th of August PTE Rectory building
The discussions and the presentations are about the life of a 21th century student. The PDA 2017 students invited experts for the lectures and organized a debate competition. After the event the visitors attend in other interactive programs of the Jubilee.
University history in the style of contemporary presentation 30th of August – 30th of September Pécs, Nádor Gallery
"PTE 650" International Sportfestival 20th of August Pécs Downtown (Széchenyi square), Lauber Dezsõ stadium, TTK stadium, ÁOK stadium During the festival Universities may compete in 4 different sports. International photo contest 25th of August Tudásközpont The objective of the "Sopianae International Photo-Salon" is to enrich the cultural life of the city and the University based on the successes in the field of photography of Pécs in the the 60s' and 70s'.
During this event the Jubilee Figurine will be made and inaugurated.
The exhibition presents our University's past in a contemporary style. "Pannonian Symposium on CNS Injury" conference 30th of August 1st of September Szentágothai János Research centre The symposium deals with the development of brain injuries and their conditioning. This forum is more than 15 years old and with the help of European and American experts Hungarian scientists can publish their achievements. These researches are focusing on transplanting theories into the clinical practice Medvevár, tragicomedy about Bishop John's final run and rapture 31th of august Bishop's palace gardens
Visitors can watch Keresztesi József's drama about Janus Pannonius, which is played by the sodality of JESZ and staged by Kocsis Gergely, Jászai-winning director. Carmina Burana concert 31th of August Pécs, Downtown Carmina Burana concert with the collaboration of PTE Faculty of arts students. XXIX Anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum and the Jubilee Meeting of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference 31th of August. 2nd of September With more than 800 members the international annual conference this year in the spirit of the jubilee will be about: "University values today: Central European aspects and challenges.
Other events and information of the jubilee during 2017 is available on our webpage: www.jubileum.pte.hu Additional information at: Jubilee Project office – Rector's office H-7622 Pécs, Vasvári Pál street 4. +36 (72) 501-500/18537 jubileum650@pte.hu
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Jubilee monument of university founders will be created Norbert Kotormán is the sculptor who will create the monument of William Bishop and King Louis the Great. Kotormán's model has won, so his monument will be inaugurated on the 1st of September in 2016 at the jubilee ceremony on the promenade between the North side of Pécs Cathedral and the Medieval University. On the occasion of the 650th anniversary of the foundation of the University of Pécs the Parliament decided that 1 September will be the Day of the Hungarian Higher Education and the memorial day of the university foundation in Pécs. The UP Jubilee 650 Strategic Consortium called for proposals with the title of 'Creating the monument of King Louis the Great and William Bishop for the 650th anniversary of the UP'.The model of Norbert Kotormán expresses best of all the spirit of the era, the significance of the university foundation, besides it includes the characteristics of Gothic art. Moreover, the aesthetic values of the model are also outstanding. Kotormán's work is wellknown in Hungary as well as abroad, he is an active participant of contemporary fine art life. Alexandra KÉKESI
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ENGLISH HOMEPAGE OF THE UP Content manager: Ms. Melinda Pálfi Email: palfi.melinda@pte.hu, info@pte.hu http://www.english.pte.hu CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Director: Dr. István Tarrósy Email: tarrosy.istvan@pte.hu http://iro.pte.hu; www.international.pte.hu Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program Mr. Áron Bánáti Email: banati.aron@pte.hu Erasmus + program Ms. Judit Németh Email: nemeth. judit@pte.hu Erasmus + International Credit Mobility program, overseas student exchange programs Mr. Gábor Czéh Email: czeh.gabor@pte.hu International student recruitment Ms. Katalin Sümegi Email: sumegi.kata@pte.hu Study Abroad programs Dr. Gyöngyi Pozsgai Email: pozsgai.gyongyi@pte.hu CEEPUS mobility program Ms. Eszter Sándorfi Email: sandorfi.eszter@pte.hu International student mentoring program Mr. Péter Árvai Email: arvai.peter@pte.hu Student organisations and services Student Union (EHÖK in Hungarian) Mr. Levente Németh – Foreign Affairs coordinator Email: titkarsag@pteehok.hu http://pteehok.hu/en Erasmus Student Network (ESN Pécs) Email: esnpecs@gmail.com http://pecs.esn.hu English–German Student Council (Medical School) Email: egsc@aok.pte.hu http://egsc.aok.pte.hu AEGEE-Pécs Email: aegeepecs@gmail.com http://www.aegee.org, http://www.aegeepecs.hu AIESEC Local Commitee Pécs Email: aiesecpte@gmail.com http://www.aiesec.org, http://www.aiesec.hu/pecs Central Office of Student Services Ms. Visontai Kovách Dalma Email: visontai.kovach.dalma@pte.hu http://www.karrieriroda.pte.hu
FACULTY COORDINATORS: Faculty of Business and Economics Ms. Lilla Kolos Email: kolos.lilla@ktk.pte.hu Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Education and Regional Development Mr. Zoltán Koltai Email: koltai. zoltan@kpvk.pte.hu Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Dr. Gabriella Medvegy Email: medvegygabriella@mik.pte.hu Faculty of Health Science Dr. Orsolya Máté Email: orsolya.mate@etk.pte.hu Faculty of Humanities Ms. Éva Kovács-Samu Email: foreign.humanities@pte.hu Faculty of Law Ms. Melinda Hengl Email: hengl.melinda@ajk.pte.hu Medical School Ms. Lívia Csidei – English programs Email: studentservice.center@aok.pte.hu Ms. Anikó Kramm – German programs Email: studien.buero@aok.pte.hu Faculty of Pharmacy Ms. Lívia Csidei Email:studentservice.center@aok.pte.hu Faculty of Music and Visual Arts Ms. Beáta Seres Email: seres.beata@art.pte.hu Faculty of Sciences Ms. Erika Szilágyi-Kispap Email: contact@gamma.ttk.pte.hu
LANGUAGE CENTRES International Studies Centre Ms. Katalin Witmann Email: wittmann.katalin@pte.hu http://www.isc.pte.hu Foreign Language Centre Email: ecl@inyt.pte.hu http://inyt.pte.hu/english.html University Library and Centre for Learning Email: info@tudaskozpont-pecs.hu http://www.tudaskozpont-pecs.hu/ List of all University libraries: https://pte.hu/english/libraries Central Sport Office Email: sportiroda@pte.hu http://www.sportiroda.pte.hu/ Dancing University Mrs. Beatrix Bánkyné Perjés Email: tancprojekt@pte.hu http://www.tancolo.pte.hu