As part of the cooperation between Semmelweis University and Westpfalz-Klinikum in Kaiserslautern, 42 first-year students began their medical studies in Budapest in September 2025, and the number of students is expected to increase to 80 per year from next year onwards.
After the theoretical phase, students will complete the three-year clinical module within the framework of a unique teaching model at Westpfalz-Klinikum in Rhineland-Palatinate. The German clinical training will be based on the Hungarian curriculum. Graduates will receive their diplomas from Semmelweis University.
As part of the two-day visit, Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, welcomed the members of the delegation, including Clemens Hoch, Minister of State and Minister for Science and Health of Rhineland-Palatinate; Hannah Herkel, Head of the Higher Education Department at the Ministry of Science and Health Rhineland-Palatinate; Christian Gölz, Head of the Higher Education Admissions and University Capacity Law Department; and David Freichel, Press Spokesperson for the ministry.
“Such cooperation is unique so far in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate,” Clemens Hoch said.
By gradually increasing the number of students applying to the university, we will be able to achieve stronger economic growth and better predictability for our institutions. We also hope that this collaboration will lead to closer scientific cooperation and increased research capacities. – Dr. Béla Merkely
Representing Westpfalz-Klinikum at the visit were Dr. Karlheinz Seidl, Chief Medical Officer of Westpfalz-Klinikum GmbH; Otto Rubly, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Westpfalz-Klinikum GmbH, District Administrator of the District of Kusel, and Deputy Chairperson of the Association of Doctors for the West Palatinate; Anja Pfeiffer, Deputy Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Westpfalz-Klinikum GmbH and Deputy Mayor of the City of Kaiserslautern; Rainer Guth, Deputy Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Westpfalz-Klinikum GmbH, District Administrator of the District of Donnersberg, and Chairperson of the Association of Doctors for the West Palatinate; Dr. Oliver Kusch, member of the Supervisory Board; Dr. Janina Geib, Deputy Medical Director of the clinic; and Consultant Michael Kutsch. Judit Kindert, Counselor for Science, Technology and Innovation at the Embassy of Hungary in Berlin, also took part in the program.
During the visit, the delegation members saw the Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center, where Rector Dr. Béla Merkely presented the university’s activities, new investments, and developments.
Accompanied by Dr. Alán Alpár, Vice-Rector for International Studies, and Edit Geiger-Gimpl, Head of Division of German Language Programs at the Directorate of International Studies (NTI), the guests were introduced to Semmelweis University’s German-language program. The delegation members were given an insight into the university’s German-language lectures and took part in practical sessions at the Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, where Head of Department Dr. András Kiss presented the activities of the organizational unit.
An important part of the program was a visit to the Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Gastroenterology (STéG), where Assistant Professor and Consultant Surgeon Dr. Gergely Huszty gave the delegation members a presentation on the department’s activities. In addition, they were able to observe the da Vinci Surgical System during an operation led by Dr. Péter Nyirády, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (ÁOK) and Head of the Department of Urology, as well as his colleagues, specialists Dr. Tamás Fazekas and Dr. András Kubik.
For the 42 medical students admitted to the joint training program starting in fall 2025, the visit provided a special opportunity to address their questions directly to the minister and members of the delegation in a personal meeting, as part of an informal conversation.
For further information on the cooperation, please read our previous article.
Gallery
Judit Szlovák, Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs
Translation: Dr. Balázs Csizmadia
Photos by Bálint Barta, Boglárka Zellei – Semmelweis University; Westpfalz-Klinikum GmbH
