Created: 2025.10.02. 10:35
Since 1994, Academic Day has been the most important celebration of Széchenyi István University, organised in connection with the anniversary of the birth of its namesake, Baron István Széchenyi. In keeping with tradition, this year’s event also saw the conferring of doctorates, as well as the presentation of prestigious awards to those whose work has significantly contributed to the development of the University and the strengthening of its community.
Széchenyi István University held its 32nd Academic Day on 23 September on its Győr campus. For the institution, this day is not only about preserving traditions but also about reflecting and celebrating, as the community looks back together on the achievements of the past year.
“Széchenyi’s life work was centred on the idea that science and progress are the guarantees of our national existence. Our institution also operates in this spirit, serving the competitiveness of our country and our wider region through its research, education and innovations,” began Professor Ferenc Friedler, Rector of the University and Vice-President for Scientific Affairs, in his ceremonial address. He added that the University is Hungary’s fastest developing higher education institution, as demonstrated by its international standing, its scientific contributions and the successes of its students, all of which rest on professional organisational operations and a committed community of lecturers, researchers and staff.
“All these aspects together enable us to take responsibility for future generations. We also pay particular attention to providing answers to current problems of science—whether it be applications of artificial intelligence or other epoch-making questions. Our work is supported by the fact that representatives of industry and the economic sector regard our institution as a reliable and innovative professional partner,” he underlined.
The Main Hall of the New Knowledge Building at Széchenyi István University was filled to capacity on the 32nd Academic Day. (Photo: András Adorján)
Awards and Distinctions
Following the welcoming remarks, the presentation of the University’s prestigious awards took place.
The Honorary Doctorate of the University was conferred upon Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, who, as Hungary’s 15th Permanent Representative to the United Nations, President of the 36th Session of the UNESCO General Conference, and President of the Hungarian United Nations Association, has always represented the causes of peace, sustainable development, education and the arts throughout her career. “We live in chaotic times, at once in chaos and in order. The crisis we feel around us is ecological, ethical, existential, economic, epistemic and emotional. We risk losing control over all those fundamental things we have taken for granted for far too long. I believe we must focus on values such as love, truth and friendship. As young people, this may seem natural, but as adults we must not abandon these,” she stressed in her acceptance speech. She emphasised that her career had been defined by continuity and perseverance in upholding values. She thanked her family, in particular highlighting the support of her husband, Dr Tamás Lőrinczy, and her son, who gave her strength and faith. In closing, she wished that young people dedicate the freedom and strength of their university years to the service of the community, and that with faith, strength and trust they may always find the right path.
Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Hungary’s 15th Permanent Representative to the United Nations, President of the 36th session of the UNESCO General Conference, and President of the Hungarian United Nations Association, received an honorary doctorate. (Photo: András Adorján)
The title of Honorary Citizen of Széchenyi István University was awarded to Dr Ágnes Lukács, Deputy CEO of Hungaroring Sport Zrt., and to Imre Pintér-Péntek, Vice-President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Győr-Moson-Sopron County.
Ágnes Lukács has been committed to serving higher education for more than twenty years, and for a decade has maintained close professional ties with the university, supporting its development with particular attention. In her acceptance speech she emphasised that within the institution she could work together with professionals who, beyond the academic world, also set an example in business thinking and dedication to science. “When I arrive at the Hungaroring, the following inscription greets me at the entrance: ‘Welcome to the realm of speed.’ I associate this with the university in Győr, as the dynamism of the institution represents precisely the momentum we implement on a smaller scale in Mogyoród,” she said.
Dr Ágnes Lukács received the title of honorary citizen of Széchenyi István University. (Photo: András Adorján)
Imre Pintér-Péntek has for many years supported the continuous strengthening of links between the economic sector and the institution. Through his dedicated work, he has significantly contributed to industrial partnerships, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the region. “It is one of the greatest honours of my life to be named an Honorary Citizen of this University. It is easy to say that we should connect the economy with higher education, but it is far from simple to realise. Already in 1989, we thought that there was knowledge on the Győr campus that businesses could also utilise,” he recalled. He cited Tamás Szekeres, former Director General and Rector, as a personal role model, under whose leadership the institution became one of the most dynamically developing universities in the country.
Imre Pintér-Péntek was also named an honorary citizen of the university. (Photo: András Adorján)
The Pro Universitate Award was given to Eszter Gede, Chancellor of the Győr Vocational Centre, who has provided outstanding support for cooperation between the institution and vocational education. The same award also recognised Eszter Tóth, Secretary of the Universitas-Győr Foundation, who has long worked for the development of the university and for supporting its citizens.
The Pro Universitate Award was presented to Eszter Gede. (Photo: András Adorján)
Eszter Tóth was also recognized with a Pro Universitate award. (Photo: András Adorján)
The title of Distinguished Professor was conferred upon Dr Péter Böröcz and Dr Péter Takács, while Associate Professor Dr Péter Törzsök, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, received the Hegedűs Gyula Scientific Scholarship.
According to the decision of the University Habilitation Council, two academics completed the requirements of the habilitation process: Viktor József Vonjich in the field of crop production and horticultural sciences, and Dr Veronika Keller in the field of business and management sciences. More than thirty doctoral degrees were awarded: Dr Máté Frank from the Doctoral School of Law and Political Sciences; Naseer Abdulhussein Jabbar Al-Imareen, Ziyad Nayef Shamsulddin Aldoski, Ammar Alnmr, Nurullah Bektaş, Marame Brinissat, Balázs Eller, Dániel Gosztola, Polina Görbe, Tamara Juhász-Bíró, György Kovács, Márió Kovács, Ahmad Abedel-Elah Mahmoud Momani, Muhanad Khlaf Salman Al-Jubouri, Judit Nagy, Viktor Zoltán Nagy, László Paulovics, László Porkoláb, István Pölöskei, Zoltán Pusztai and Ádám István Szabó from the Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Engineering Sciences; Dr Anna Pátkai-Bende and Dóra Göndöcs from the Doctoral School of Regional- and Business Administration Sciences; Csaba László Farkas, Judit Márton, László Bognár, Violetta Szép-Tóth, Éva Rita Horváth, Ákos Ferenc Biró, Henrietta Kelemen and Sándor Zsebő from the Wittmann Antal Multidisciplinary Doctoral School of Plant, Animal and Food Sciences.
More than 30 people took their doctoral oath at the ceremony. (Photo: András Adorján)
The title of Honorary Associate Professor was awarded to Dr János Csóka, Segment Leader at the Experimental Engine Manufacturing Centre of Audi Hungaria, and to Rita Székely, Mayor of the Municipality of Tényő. The title of Honorary Master Instructor was conferred upon Gábor Dóber, Project Coordinator of the External Department at Audi Hungaria, and upon Mónika Lengyel, Head of the Győr Institute of the Gézengúz Foundation.
The Pro Educatione Award was given to Dr Judit Glavanits, Associate Professor of the Deák Ferenc Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, for her outstanding work in the field of cybersecurity law, and to Dr Viktória Kapcsándi, Associate Professor of the Albert Kázmér Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, a recognised lecturer in food sciences. The Bakonyi István Excellent Lecturer Award was conferred upon Dr Géza Herczeg, Master Instructor at the Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Transport Engineering, and upon Csaba Kőmíves, Associate Professor at the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Business and Economics, both recognised for their professional excellence and teaching work.
The Excellent Mentor Award was presented to Dr Eszter Mária Jungi, Judge and Chair of the Criminal Division of the Győr Regional Court, Dr Tamás Vinkóczi, Associate Professor of the Department of Management and Marketing at the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Business and Economics, and Renáta Tihanyi-Kovács, Assistant Professor at the Department of Food Sciences at the Albert Kázmér Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, all of whom support the University’s students in their professional careers. The Worthy Citizen Award was given to Magdolna Pákozdi, Principal of the Szent-Györgyi Albert Technical School, who has long supported educational collaborations connected to the University.
The Golden Level of the Governing Board Certificate of Recognition was awarded to Christian Stengel, Head of Vehicle Development at Audi Hungaria, Tobias Attensperger, Head of Quality and Technical Management of Conventional and Hybrid Drives at Audi AG, and Tímea Szabó Ivánné, Head of the Secretariat of the Governing Board of the University. The Silver Level was awarded to Rita Mária Horváth-Hutás, Teacher at the Öveges Kálmán Practice Primary School of Széchenyi István University, and Géza Kiss, staff member of the Széchenyi Alumni Magazine.
Recognition for Outstanding Colleagues was given to Ágnes Zsuzsanna Bálint, Study Officer of the Directorate of Educational Organisation, Ágnes Horváthné Jeruska, Faculty Secretariat Officer of the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Transport Engineering, Andrea Silniczki, Training Specialist of the Centre for Adult Education and Competence Development, Henrietta Tóth, Librarian of the University Library and Archives, and Péterné Takács, Faculty Secretariat Officer of the Department of Plant Sciences of the Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty. The For the University Community Award was presented to Eszter Egyházi-Máté, Head of the Student Halls and Housing Centre. The Student-Friendly University Award went to Éva Jeneiné Pintér, staff member of the Directorate of Educational Organisation. A Certificate of Service Recognition was awarded to retiring colleagues Károly Borbély, Master Instructor of the Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology at the Apáczai Csere János Faculty of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dr Zoltán Nagy, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Mechanics.
