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<\/a>\u201cRespect the past to understand the present and to work for the future\u201d \u2013 these words from Count Istv\u00e1n Sz\u00e9chenyi were quoted by rector Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely to open the commemoration event held on the 171st anniversary of the 1848\u20131849 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight. He said that the 1848 revolution plays a significant role in the history of Semmelweis University, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of its establishment this year, since when we think back to this period, we also remember those ancestors who played an active role in the revolution while also carrying out a revolution in their own profession of medicine. He noted as examples J\u00e1nos Balassa, Lajos Markusovszky and S\u00e1ndor Lumniczer, who in addition to partaking in the events of the revolution were all members of the progressive group of physicians centered around Balassa, which developed plans to elevate physician training, public health and medical sciences in Hungary. Respect to the heroes of 1848, from whom we have to draw inspiration when defining what kind of university we want to build over the next quarter millennium, noted Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely. Quoting Lajos Markusovszky (\u201c\u2026 Merge theory with practice, as it is in life, and visit hospitals as soon as possible, if you are preparing to become a doctor; do everything around the patient that doctors need to know and understand\u2026\u201d), the rector spoke about the significance of practical training and that a curriculum reform with the involvement of all Hungarian medical universities is currently underway. He emphasized that he wants to build a university that by 2030, in the honor of the Hungarian nation and its ancestors, will be among the top 100 universities in the world, and among the five best medical and health sciences universities in Europe. \u201cWe are building a university that is training Europe\u2019s best doctors and health care professionals for the Hungarian nation and that serves innovation in health care and pharmaceuticals, which are of national strategic importance; and whose foreign-language programs, and the commitment to our nation of those studying here, strengthens further,\u201d the rector declared.<\/p>\nAs part of the event, Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely presented Pro Universitate Awards to Mrs. G\u00e9za F\u00e9zler (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology), Dr. Kl\u00e1ra Szalai (Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Dermatooncology) and Dr. \u00c1gnes Szigeti (Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Dermatooncology). Chancellor Dr. K\u00e1roly Sz\u00e1sz handed out a Pro Universitate Award to Albert Ikl\u00f3di (Directorate of K\u00fatv\u00f6lgyi Clinical Center). Next, the rector presented the recognitions for outstanding workers, the commendations by the rector and the distinctions for outstanding conductors, which was followed by the presentations of commendations and recognitions of outstanding workers by the chancellor. Overall, around 95 workers of the university received recognitions from Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely and Dr. K\u00e1roly Sz\u00e1sz.\u00a0<\/p>\n\r\n [slb_exclude]\r\n <\/a>This year, the commemorative speech was held by Dr. N\u00e1ndor \u00c1cs, director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who said that March 15 was always his favorite national celebration, whose message is easily understood by everyone: it means the need for Hungarian national solidarity, the fight against oppression and the creation of an independent Hungarian state. The memory of the 1848 Revolution and Freedom Fight is heroic, bursting with strength, and uplifting, but at the same time, looking back from a distance of more than 170 years, it is also heartbreaking and sad, he stated. He noted that freedom was created by individuals who were able to create, and also willing and able to work in the interest of common goals; the opportunity for the democratic revolution was made possible by the people acting together. Their will was forged and their strength multiplied by knowing that they are capable of great things if they act together. Dr. N\u00e1ndor \u00c1cs also recalled the integrity and courage of the university\u2019s legal predecessor, the Medical Faculty of the Royal University of Hungary in Pest, during the events of the revolution, and pointed out that the academic staff decided in the spring of 1848 that its main role should be the training of medics; that was when the structure of education took the form that it is still based on today. \u201cIt is a notable similarity that after long decades without change, now is the time that the faculty of medicine has reached the point where we are planning a comprehensive reform of the curriculum that reflects the practices of today,\u201d he noted. He stressed that this reform as well has to be carried out very quickly and efficiently, so that the university can be guided into the international forefront in education, research and healing.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\r\n <\/span>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\tGallery<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
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