The partnership between Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University and Leiria University, located on the western coast of Portugal, began within the framework of the Regional University Network \u2013 European University (RUN-EU) alliance. Due to the similarities in their educational and research fields, their cooperation has deepened across several disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver the past few years, we have implemented multiple short study programmes, further strengthening our relationship and allowing our students to gain valuable international experience. We have also launched a joint Tourism Management Double Degree Master\u2019s Programme with Polit\u00e9cnico de Leiria and are participating in a co-supervised PhD project, which has resulted in higher-level scientific collaboration,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0said Dr J\u00falia Sz\u0151ke, Vice-Dean for International and Scientific Affairs at the Ap\u00e1czai Csere J\u00e1nos Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University. She added that the partnership has been so successful that researchers from both institutions now collaborate on conferences and publications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University and Polit\u00e9cnico de Leiria have strengthened their collaboration through short-term training programmes. The student group in the picture also visited the medieval town of \u00d3bidos, Portugal, during such a programme<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr J\u00falia Sz\u0151ke has played an active role in the success of the projects and serves as a doctoral supervisor for a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder from Turkey, whose research is co-supervised by a professor from Leiria. \u201cMy collaboration with Dr J\u00falia Sz\u0151ke has been smooth and highly productive. Although we come from different academic backgrounds, our shared mindset and approach to supervision make our work particularly effective. Our commitment to supporting the PhD student has allowed us to create a constructive and well-balanced supervision process,\u201d<\/em> said Dr Ana L\u00facia Sargento, a professor at the Leiria university. She also highlighted that Sz\u00e9chenyi University is highly proactive in organising international events, offering excellent opportunities for networking and academic exchange. She values the partnership with the Gy\u0151r-based institution and emphasised that Polit\u00e9cnico de Leiria\u2019s experts look forward to continuing this collaboration in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently halfway through his doctoral studies, Ahmet Ekmekcioglu appreciates the opportunity to draw on the academic expertise of three different cultures. The Turkish PhD student obtained both his bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees at Sz\u00e9chenyi University and has become fluent in Hungarian during his nearly seven years in Gy\u0151r. \u201cHaving strong professional support from both of my supervisors significantly enhances my research, as they guide my progress in a strict yet supportive manner. I am also grateful to the University for allowing me to apply my knowledge and experience in supply chain management during my PhD studies,\u201d he shared.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr J\u00falia Sz\u0151ke, Vice-Dean for International and Scientific Affairs at the Ap\u00e1czai Faculty, with PhD student Ahmet Ekmekcioglu (Photo: Andr\u00e1s Adorj\u00e1n)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sz\u00e9chenyi University and the Portuguese institution launched the Tourism Management Double Degree Programme two years ago. The first graduate of the programme recently passed their final exams and has already received their Hungarian diploma in Gy\u0151r.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI found it fascinating to explore the field of tourism from different perspectives. It was an enriching and valuable experience. I loved that the student housing facilities in Gy\u0151r were located on campus, where life was always vibrant, and I had the chance to attend numerous events and meet students from various nationalities,\u201d<\/em> said Victoria Apajalahti from Finland, who now holds three degrees\u2014a Finnish bachelor\u2019s degree, as well as Portuguese and Hungarian diplomas. She also participated successfully in Sz\u00e9chenyi University\u2019s Scientific Students\u2019 Conference, earning a special award for one of her research papers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr \u00c9va Happ, Programme Supervisor and Associate Professor at the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Business and Economics, emphasised the growing popularity of double degree programmes due to their numerous benefits. \u201cA key difference from a traditional master\u2019s programme is that students spend one semester in another country\u2014in this case, Portuguese students study in Hungary, while Hungarian students study in Portugal. This allows them to gain significant international experience, immerse themselves in another culture, and broaden their professional horizons,\u201d she explained. \u201cWhat makes this programme truly unique is that, after completing the two-year programme, students receive two degrees, which can be a major advantage in the job market.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr \u00c9va Happ, Hungarian Programme Supervisor of the Sz\u00e9chenyi-Leiria Double Degree Programme, with the first graduate, Victoria Apajalahti, at the diploma ceremony of Kautz Gyula Faculty of Business and Economics (Photo: Andr\u00e1s Adorj\u00e1n)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Created: 2025.03.13. 15:21 Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University and Polit\u00e9cnico de Leiria began their collaboration with short study programmes, which over the years have developed into a diverse partnership. Today, the two …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":8492,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alumni.sze.hu\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image-8-1024x769.png\")
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