Created: 2026.05.18. 14:17
On 14 May, Széchenyi István University and the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) organised their conference marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day for the 17th time this year. Renowned experts from the sector delivered presentations at the event, the Magyari Endre Awards were presented, and the University also officially inaugurated two new laboratories: one providing students with practical insight into quantum mechanical phenomena, and another serving as the site for the development of Győr’s future satellite.
Under the motto “Resilient, Secure and Sustainable Connectivity: On Earth and in Space”, an international conference was held at Széchenyi István University on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. The event traditionally provides an opportunity for representatives of the infocommunications sector to meet in Győr and discuss current issues affecting the industry.
In his opening speech, Ferenc Friedler, Rector and Vice-President for Scientific Affairs of the University, recalled that telecommunications engineering education at the institution began 50 years ago and has since developed into a leading centre for infocommunications education. “We are committed to the education and research of cutting-edge technologies, including quantum technology, space telecommunications and artificial intelligence. Our aim is for the professionals graduating from our institution not only to serve these sectors, but also to shape their development,” he emphasised.
The conference hosted at Széchenyi István University provided an opportunity for representatives of the infocommunications sector to discuss current issues affecting the industry for the 17th time (Photo: Gergely Nagy)
Thibaut Kleiner, Director for Future Networks at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, greeted participants via video message. “Europe is currently facing significant challenges in the field of critical technologies, as it remains highly dependent on providers outside the continent in areas such as artificial intelligence and cloud-based storage. This not only affects our competitiveness and security, but ultimately also impacts our independence in shaping our own future. Therefore, maintaining control over critical technologies and digital services is of paramount importance to us,” he stated.
András Lapsánszky, Head of Telecommunications at the NMHH as well as a Head of Department and Associate Professor at Széchenyi István University, highlighted that since the launch of telecommunications education in Győr in 1976, the field has undergone a unique transformation worldwide. “Over the years, the industry, once operating as a state monopoly, has evolved into a fully competitive market, with both telecommunications services and network infrastructure becoming market-based,” he pointed out. He added that we are witnessing another era-defining transformation today, exemplified by the European Union’s regulatory proposals. “The Digital Networks Act introduces an entirely new regulatory framework for telecommunications, designed to strengthen the competitiveness of the European digital and telecommunications market,” he underlined.
An important moment of the day was the inauguration of two new laboratories, presented to visitors by Zoltán Horváth, Head of the Research Centre for Defence and Space Industry at Széchenyi István University. “The quantum communication laboratory, established with the support of the NMHH, simultaneously demonstrates our institution’s commitment to the education and research of advanced technologies and the strength of cooperation,” he remarked. As explained during the event, the facility enables students to gain hands-on experience in measuring and applying quantum mechanical phenomena, particularly in the fields of information transfer and secure communication. Head of Laboratory, Szilárd Takács demonstrated the operation of the laboratory through an encryption-related communication experiment.
Szilárd Takács, Head of the laboratory, demonstrated through an experiment the practical knowledge students can acquire in the Quantum Communication Laboratory (Photo: Gergely Nagy)
Participants also visited the Satellite Electronics Laboratory, which was established through genuine community collaboration involving students, the University and the NMHH. Research engineer Gábor Marton pointed out that the SZESAT College for Advanced Studies has been involved in satellite development for years and has already achieved significant success in this area. Their goal is for Széchenyi István University to launch its own independent satellite into space within the next few years. Work on the device is already underway, and the new laboratory provides a modern environment for its development.
A ceremonial highlight of the event was the presentation of the NMHH Dr Magyari Endre Award, which recognises professionals whose decades of dedicated work have contributed to the development of the telecommunications market. This year, Renáta Orosi, Director of the Infocommunications Legal Directorate at the NMHH, and Magdolna Csömör, infocommunications lawyer and Deputy Director for Regulation at 4iG Nyrt., received the honour.
During the ceremony, students who delivered outstanding performances in telecommunications topics at the Scientific Students’ Associations Conference – Kristóf László Fejes and Zoltán Somogyi, as well as Tamás Zoltán Lőrincz and Réka Kérész – received the NMHH Special Award.
Ferenc Friedler, Rector and Vice-President for Scientific Affairs of Széchenyi István University, the awarded students Zoltán Somogyi, Kristóf László Fejes and Réka Kérész, the Dr Magyari Endre Award recipients Dr Magdolna Csömör and Dr Renáta Orosi, as well as Dr András Lapsánszky and Dr Janka Aranyosné Börcs, telecommunications leaders of the NMHH, at the conference organised in Győr on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (Photo: Gergely Nagy)
