1. Summer University
The attendance at the Summer University, limited only by the capacity of the lecture halls, exceeded all expectations; nearly 1,800 registered students showed up to listen to the presentations every day. Over the course of the four-day-long event participants could choose from a variety of programmes including live surgery broadcasts, scientific lectures and round table discussions on curriculum development in medical education.
2. Exclusive 250th Opening Ceremony
A total of 3,302 first-year students started their studies at Semmelweis University in 250th academic year of Semmelweis University. “These are moments of historical significance for medical and health sciences education, research and health care in Hungary and in Europe,” said Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector in his speech at the opening ceremony.
3. The new curriculum
The Senate approved a modified curriculum for the faculties of medicine and dentistry, which started to take effect in the academic year 2019/2020. The goal of the new curriculum is to put more emphasis on clinical practice, and thus to create a structure to support this. The new curriculum aims to clarify the hierarchy between subjects and the modular structure of subjects and to eliminate overlaps. Some subjects that form the backbone of medical training were remodeled to better serve the strengthening of clinical training.
4. Semmelweis Symposium
A line-up of 40 leading international researchers and the translational aspect of an innovative topic extending across the entire university awaited participants at the Semmelweis Symposium. The programme attended by around 600 participants, gave an insight into the driving forces and challenges of cardiology in several fields and applications, from single molecules to the patient bed.
5. Semmelweis Health Days
Semmelweis University has organized a series of free, public health-oriented health care events. Between September 2019 and June 2020 ten events are held for the wider public featuring interactive programs, screenings, demonstrations and lectures on health prevention. So far, five events have been held in the fields of mental health, health sciences, first aid, oncology among others.
6. Cooperation with Karolinska Institute
Semmelweis University entered into a cooperation agreement with Karolinska Institute, Sweden. The purpose of the agreement is to extend the scope of the already existing cooperation in the fields of education and research, as well as to submit joint EU grant proposals. The partnership between Semmelweis University and Karolinska Institute is over a decade old and has been concentrated mainly on pathology and cardiology in the past few years.
7. Science Park plans presented
The Science Park is the culmination of the university’s new research-development and innovation strategy, which will be an inclusive center where everyone can realize their own innovation dreams. The innovation ecosystem and the Science Park itself are built on the foundations of three universities: Semmelweis University, Pázmány Péter Catholic University and the National University of Public Service. Plans for the research-development activity and services to be provided by the new Health Industry-Biotechnology Science Park were presented in October 2019.
8. 25 years of Pathology Oncology Research journal
The international scientific journal “Pathology Oncology Research” was founded 25 years ago at Semmelweis University, which now has an international impact factor of 2.5. Thousands of publications are handed in to the journal every year coming from all parts of the world.
9. New Center of Education of International Studies
The Center of Education of International Studies replaced the previous Foreign Students’ Secretariat and took on all special tasks related to the education of international students. The main goal of the organizational changes affecting the foreign language programs is to incorporate international students more into the life of Semmelweis University and create more opportunities for interaction between English, German and Hungarian-speaking students.
10. 300 patient screenings in Transcarpathia
A series of free screenings was organized in Transcarpathia by the Students’ Union of Semmelweis University and the National Conference of Students’ Unions in Transcarpathia. The comprehensive screenings of nearly 300 patients were carried out by 90 volunteers in six villages over four days.
