The Semmelweis Summer University was first held in 2019 as part of a series of events organized to mark the 250th anniversary of the university’s founding. The aim of the event, which has attracted considerable interest year after year, has been from the very beginning to organize professional lectures and discussions on culture, sports, and the arts, through which Semmelweis University students can gain a wide range of knowledge not only about the university and the work taking place at its various faculties, but also about current social, cultural, and current-affairs issues that affect them. The program provides an excellent opportunity for students to get to know one another better, thereby strengthening the bonds among members of the university community.
The program of the English-language International Summer University will feature Zsófia Törőcsik and Petar Klovar, two world record holders in freediving, as well as extreme athlete Gábor Rakonczay. The lectures will cover topics such as the relationship between the rhythm of university life and sleep, the use of artificial intelligence in studying, learning the Hungarian language, and the history of Budapest.
Dr. Péter Hermann, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs, told our website that when they launched the Summer University program series in 2019, their goal was to introduce students to topics that, strictly speaking, fall outside the scope of the curriculum but could still be interesting and motivating for them. As he pointed out, even the organizers were initially surprised by how popular the professional and educational lectures were, but over time it became clear that there was high demand for them among students. Thanks to these lectures, students from different faculties can familiarize themselves with each other’s fields of study, which strengthens the bonds among the university’s citizens, the vice-rector explained. In addition to the academic lectures, discussions are organized every year that address current topics such as sports, the arts, or social issues, Dr. Péter Hermann noted.
Dr. Alán Alpár, Vice-Rector for International Studies, pointed out to our website that the international program of the Summer University was designed based on the suggestions and requests of the student community of the German and English-language programs. He finds it noteworthy that the majority of international students prefer academic presentations even at the Summer University, and accordingly, great emphasis is placed on showcasing the scientific side of the university. Dr. Alán Alpár emphasized that other topics, such as sports and psychology, would also be covered, adding that the event would showcase a truly diverse range of subjects. He also considered it important that students have the opportunity to introduce themselves, which is why there would be a roundtable discussion with undergraduate students and alumni who excelled in their fields.
Dr. Tamás Hegedüs, Director of International Relations and Alumni Affairs, pointed out that the event traditionally attracted a lot of interest, partly because they conducted a survey of students every year to find out what topics they would like to hear about at the Summer University. He underlined that the Summer University also served as an orientation event for first-year students, offering them a glimpse into how the university’s other faculties operated and allowing them to get to know each other better. He believes the event’s greatest strength is its relaxed, festival-like atmosphere, which fosters student bonding.
The Summer University program series is organized by the Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs and the Center of International Training Programs. This year, both the Hungarian and international programs will be held at the Nagyvárad Square Theoretical Block (NET). The event is primarily aimed at first-year students, but it is also open to students in higher years. Over the course of the three days, organizers expect more than 4,000 students to participate, and credit points are awarded for attendance.
The academic topics covered on August 26 and 27 will be followed by Green University Day on August 28, organized by the Students’ Union (HÖK) and featuring English- and Hungarian-language sessions on sustainability.
In addition to the presentations and panel discussions, visitors will be able to stop by the booths of the Semmelweis Health Promotion Center, Semmelweis Publishing, and the Students’ Union in the NET Hall.
You can read about the international program on the event’s English-language Facebook page.
Péter Pogrányi
Translation: Dr. Balázs Csizmadia, Judit Dőtsch
Illustration by Boglárka Zellei – Semmelweis University
