According to Dr. Lívia Pavlik, the new chancellor of Semmelweis University, the basis of efficient work is a team of motivated colleagues, who believe in the goals of the university. “In addition to handling human resources as high priority, maintaining financial balance and providing ground for infrastructural development are the cornerstones of the university’s mission to achieve its goals.”, she said.
Dr. Lívia Pavlik was chancellor of Corvinus University of Budapest for six years and based on her experiences, the work of the chancellor is done well if she understands and feels the basic activities of the university and the psychology of higher education. Currently her most important tasks are to establish personal relations, to start the preparation of next year’s budget and tasks related to the Semmelweis 21st Development Project.
Dr. Lívia Pavlik, who is the Chancellor of Semmelweis University from 1 October believes that the quintessential element of efficient work is personal cooperation. This is why, she considers meeting the university staff and developing professional and organizational relationships one of her primary tasks. She believes that building trust with both the leadership and staff is extremely important because based on her experiences, close human relationships are fundamental for a good atmosphere at work.
Dr. Lívia Pavlik was the chancellor of Corvinus University of Budapest between 2014 and 2020, but her strong connection to university life has a longer history.
“The world of higher education was love at first sight. After I earned my degree in accounting at the Budapest University of Economics, I remained at the university as an assistant lecturer.”, she said.
Continuing her academic career at the university, she earned her PhD degree in management and organizational sciences, then was appointed associate professor. From 2008, she first got involved in the work of the leadership in addition to her educational and professional activities. She was Deputy Dean for Economics at the Corvinus Business School but was also Director General for Economics until her appointment as chancellor in 2014.
“I have a thorough knowledge of higher education as a system run by the state. At Semmelweis University the field of health care will be a new addition but I see it as a challenge that will enable me to acquire the necessary skills within this greater system.”, said Dr. Lívia Pavlik.
Before taking her office, she had several discussions with Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector and with Dr. Balázs Hankó, Deputy State Secretary for Higher Education and former vice-rector, so she is well-informed about the priorities of the university. Accordingly, one of her first tasks is to review the Semmelweis 21st Development Project.
“The university has set ambitious goals which are in line with the institution’s underlying opportunities and potential. This means that the strategy is realistic and feasible with tangible elements that are also major tasks for the chancellor.”, she said.
In accordance with the strategic goals, her short-term task is to lay out the process that is the basis of next year’s budget. Dr. Lívia Pavlik is pleased to join the university this time of the year because the university’s operation can be seen systematically drawn up through budget planning.
In addition to maintaining financial balance, developing infrastructure and identifying new opportunities she considers the human element of utmost importance. Therefore, she plans to put emphasis on a motivating and encouraging human resources strategy.
“I am well aware of the challenge the current epidemic poses to health care and it is extremely important that our colleagues be able to come to work fully recharged, so we need to keep them empowered. This does not only apply to health care workers but to the entire organization supporting them.”, she declared.
She believes that an organization can only work well when employees are committed and have the feeling that their daily contribution serve the greater goals of the institution.
Regarding the current epidemic she emphasized the importance of day-to-day rapid response and the ability to meet non-routine challenges while keeping normal processes going as well as preparing for next year and the time after the epidemic because normal operation cannot stop even in times of emergency.
“Students want to study in a form closest to their normal social environment, colleagues also need personal working relationships. At the same time we use digital tools on a daily basis to conquer distance while patients are being treated and research activities keep going.”, she said.
During the six years she spent as chancellor of Corvinus University of Budapest she experienced that the work of the chancellor is done well if she understands and feels the basic activities of the university and the psychology of higher education. She also considers it extremely important that the academic and the organizational, administrative parts of the university work closely together to move forward in harmony and unity.
“My goal is to deliver maximum performance by unrelenting determination”, shared her approach to her role as chancellor.
She got acquainted with Semmelweis University’s strategy, its rector and leaders as the Ministerial Commissioner for Higher Education Model Change. She considers it a great honour that her appointment was supported by both Dr. László Palkovics, Minister and Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector.
“I am proud to be the citizen of Semmelweis University, the flagship institution of Hungarian higher education.”, Dr. Lívia Pavlik said.
Pálma Dobozi
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Tranlsation: Ágnes Raubinek
