The governance of Semmelweis University will change with the establishment of the chancellor’s office but the university’s profile, educational portfolio, research activities, medical care and its social responsibility will remain unchanged. “In these areas decision making will fall under the authority of the university’s governance, and the chancellor will provide professional aid in the operation of the institution”, said Dr. Ágoston Szél. The Rector pointed out that medical training will be a matter of priority in higher education strategy, therefore it will be of mutual interest to make Semmelweis University even more successful and become an example of education, research and medical care worldwide.
“We believe that Semmelweis University’s chancellor will evaluate the changes of the past two and a half years positively and will support us in the rationalisation of our budget”, Rector Ágoston Szél told us. He declared that Dr. Károly Szász’s extensive experience and his being a professional economist would guarantee the cost-effective operation of the university while maintaining its profile, educational programmes, research activities and its commitment to medical care. “The chancellor has started to get acquainted with the university and its leadership, has participated in several meetings of the government and has had consultations with vice-rectors, deans and directors”, the Rector said.
Dr. Ágoston Szél believes that the university has been well prepared for the presence of the chancellor, as the concept of a similar position arose after the restructuring of the government of the university. The establishment of the Directorate General of Operations in 2013 was preceded by the arsing need for a specialist who would provide professional support in the implementation of the strategy designed by the Rector and vice-rectors. The Rector pointed out that the chancellor’s function is above and broader than that of the Directors of General Operations and Economic Management, as he is responsible for the legal, organizational and human resources areas. At the same time defining professional objectives and designing strategies will remain the responsibility of the Rector and vice-rectors.
[pullquote]The basis for cooperation is the interest of both parties in creating an even more successful future for Semmelweis University![/pullquote]Dr. Ágoston Szél mentioned that the objective is to make the operation of the university legitimate and lawful. The rector emphasized that the current government has done a lot to accomplish this in the past two and a half years. He is certain that the chancellor will be perfectly supportive in continuing this endeavour. He added that hopefully there would not be any aspirations at the university striving to reverse this process. However, it is important to see that certain regulations are not compatible with the rational operation and research activities of the university. That is why Semmelweis University cooperating with the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference has handed in proposals for amendment to the State Secretary. They would like to call the attention to the fact that in case of research activities more flexibility and readiness are needed than allowed by the rules of public procurement. Dr. Ágoston Szél expects the chancellor to be of help even in conveying the needs and viewpoints of the university to the state and the decision makers.
According to Dr. Ágoston Szél the key to efficient cooperation and management is for the chancellor to respect and acknowledge the institution’s traditions and for the university to recognise the chancellor’s professional standing and the arising opportunities he could provide the university with. “The basis for cooperation is the interest of both parties in creating an even more successful future for Semmelweis University!”, Dr. Ágoston Szél underlined.
He added that he strived to make Semmelweis University an example of education, research and medical care worldwide and to be among the top three Central European biomedical universities within the following 10 years. Several steps have been made in order to fulfil this endeavour, which is confirmed by the leading position occupied by Semmelweis University in the ranking of Hungarian higher educational institutions. According to the QS World University Rankings in the category of Life Sciences and Medicine Semmelweis University is the best Hungarian university. “These results reflect that students’ performances are measured objectively and the selection of lecturers is done by outmost care.”, the Rector said.
No student expects to have an easy access to their degree because it is known that in return for their hard work they will receive knowledge accumulated in the course of 245 years. This knowledge makes them able and appreciated professionals all around the world. The university boasts successful foreign language programmes which make it truly international. “We have traditions to go back to and innovative skills to answer the challenges of the future. These are the cornerstones of Semmelweis University that lift it above the other universities.” , said Dr. Ágoston Szél.
Pálma Dobozi
Translated by: Agnes Raubinek
Photo: Attila Kovács, Semmelweis University
