The board decided to elect the chancellor as a member of the Senate after Dr. Lívia Pavlik, based on her application, was confirmed in her position for another five years by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for National Health Care and Medical Education (NEOA). Gábor Orbán, Chairman of NEOA, emphasized that as Chancellor Dr. Lívia Pavlik had kept the management of Semmelweis University on track in a new framework over the past five years, despite many unusual events and unexpected twists and turns, thus contributing to the university’s development and helping it become an outstanding institution not only domestically but also internationally. “Maximum performance and tireless pursuit of unattainable perfection – that is my motto in my profession,” emphasized the chancellor, who said that her management program did not stand alone, but was closely linked to the institutional development plan. She pointed out that next December would mark the end of the first six-year period in which the institution had been maintained by a public interest trust fund, and she and her colleagues were already working on the period that would follow. As chancellor, her activities would continue to be characterized by constructive cooperation based on principles and issues.
Semmelweis University’s Institutional Budget concept for 2026 was approved. This budget anticipates growth in both inpatient and outpatient care in the healthcare sector due to the merger of clinics. In terms of performance-based National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary (NEAK) revenues, this represents a 4 percent increase, totaling HUF 115 billion. In the area of publicly funded education, the plan does not include a ranking bonus this time compared to 2025, as the institution has already achieved this and no new targets have been set. However, the university’s contract is value-based, so funding will be nearly HUF 1.5 billion higher than last year thanks to valorization. By 2026, the institution’s infrastructure will be significantly expanded: Városmajor 70, the National Center for Medical Education and Innovation (NOIKK), the large animal facility of the National Cardiovascular Laboratory (NKL) at the university’s site in Herceghalom in Pest County, the renovated Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, the Stáhly Street specialist clinic of Semmelweis University Outpatient Clinic’s Szent Rókus Clinical Block, and the renovation of the Senate Hall and the Rector’s Meeting Room will also be completed as part of the strategic developments. Major investments starting in 2026 but continuing into 2027 include the 2nd block of the Basic Medical Science Center (EOK2), the Department of Public Dental Health (FSZOI), and the Ferenc Square campus. Next year will also see the launch of the public procurement process for the construction of the Hőgyes-Schöpf-Merei Pharmaceutical Research Center. The plan commits to HUF 9.5 billion in grant revenue from domestic sources by 2026. The revenue plan anticipates an aggregate revenue of HUF 321 billion, which is nearly HUF 3 billion more than last year. In terms of costs, the plan anticipates HUF 313 billion for 2026.
A decision was made to amend certain provisions of the Organizational and Operational Rules (SzMSz). This concerns the referral of the reimbursement of self-financed training costs to the Senate’s jurisdiction; the stipulation of payment obligations related to retroactive deactivation in cases where the student scholarship in question can only be determined for an active semester; and a technical amendment to the Doctoral Regulations as well as a regulatory proposal in it related to artificial intelligence.
The Senate approved an addition to the Student Standards of the SzMSz that concerns the sports healthcare of international athletes competing under the colors of Semmelweis University. Many international students participate in competitive sports under the colors of the university, whose medical care is not financed by the Hungarian health insurance system. As the institution’s Clinical Center covers all possible disciplines, the management of Semmelweis University undertakes to provide these international athletes with sports-related and sports injury-related medical care, sports medical fitness examinations and screening, and to cover the costs thereof. The director of the P.E. and Sport Center is responsible for registering the athletes concerned and for organizing their care, examinations, and screenings.
A proposal to establish educational, research, and scientific cooperation with Westpfalz-Klinikum GmbH was approved. The Faculty of Medicine at Semmelweis University (ÁOK) and Westpfalz-Klinikum GmbH (WKK) in Kaiserslautern plan to establish a medical campus called Medical School Kaiserslautern – Semmelweis Universität (MSK-SE) and will cooperate with each other in its operation, maintenance, and development. The declared goal of both parties is to establish a university-level human medical education program in which WKK will provide the clinical conditions and Semmelweis University’s ÁOK the higher education conditions. Based on this cooperation, after successfully completing their third year of study, students will continue their studies at MSK-SE in Kaiserslautern from the fourth year onwards and complete the clinical phase of their training in Germany. The study and exam results achieved there will also be recognized by Semmelweis University, provided that they comply with the study regulations for medical training. The agreement follows on from a memorandum of understanding signed by the two universities last year.
The board approved the rules of procedure of the standing committees established by the Senate and operating within the Faculty of Medicine. This concerns the Ethical and Disciplinary Committee, the Credit Transfer Committee, and the Examination and Studies Committee.
A decision was made to increase the tuition fees for several faculties. The cost of general medical training and dental training, which had remained unchanged at HUF 1,350,000 since 2018-2019, was increased to HUF 1,950,000 due to inflation in the recent period.
The board decided that new courses could be established and launched at the Faculty of Health Sciences (ETK): a bachelor’s degree in health care management, a bachelor’s degree in sports health management, and master’s degrees in sports physiotherapy and pediatric and infant physiotherapy. The latter two will replace the previous general Physiotherapy MSc program. With regard to the BSc program, the faculty will initiate a ministerial request for establishment and launch, while with regard to the MSc programs, it will only initiate a ministerial request for establishment, as the university can launch master’s programs within its own jurisdiction.
A proposal in the Study and Examination Regulations of the SzMSz concerning special provisions on the classification of degrees awarded by the András Pető Faculty (PAK) was accepted. In this proposal, the figures relating to the classification of degrees were simplified.
An amendment to the regulations on the awarding of honors and prizes was adopted. According to this, due to the significant increase in the number of employees at Semmelweis University, 500 honors will now be awarded annually instead of the previous 292. Among other things, the number of Semmelweis University Outstanding Employee, Lecturer, and Allied Health Professional awards, the Zsuzsanna Kossuth Memorial Award, and the Rector’s, Chancellor’s, and Dean’s Commendations were also increased. In addition, a new award was created at the initiative of the Family-Friendly University Center, entitled “For University Citizens,” which aims to recognize non-managerial colleagues who have made outstanding contributions to employee well-being.
Decisions were made on the awarding of the 2025 Semmelweis Innovation Award and on the subject leader applications announced at Asklepios Campus Hamburg; opinions were given on current management and research applications, and a decision was made on the awarding of a master teacher title.
Ádám Szabó
Translation: Dr. Balázs Csizmadia
Illustration: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
