{"id":18235,"date":"2019-09-06T15:04:19","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T13:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/english\/?p=18235"},"modified":"2019-10-01T11:16:59","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T09:16:59","slug":"the-250-year-old-semmelweis-universitys-jubilee-academic-year-has-started","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/english\/2019\/09\/the-250-year-old-semmelweis-universitys-jubilee-academic-year-has-started\/","title":{"rendered":"The 250-year-old Semmelweis University\u2019s jubilee academic year has started (+video)"},"content":{"rendered":"
A total of 3302 first-year students are starting their studies at Semmelweis University, which is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its foundation. At the opening ceremony of the academic year held at the Palace of Arts, rector Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely called the start of the 2019\/20 jubilee academic year one of historical significance from the standpoint of medical and health sciences education, research and health care in Hungary and in Europe. The official speeches were followed by the taking of the oath by students in three languages: Hungarian, English and German.<\/div>\n

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\u201cSemmelweis University is a trademark and a brand name that has become a symbol of education, scientific achievements and health care services of the highest quality,\u201d Minister for Innovation and Technology Dr. L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Palkovics said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the jubilee academic year. \u201cThis is also proven by international rankings that consistently show Semmelweis University ranking at the top among Hungarian universities,\u201d he noted, adding that the public also has a high degree of confidence in the various departments and clinics of the university. Dr. L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Palkovics declared this is an excellent foundation to accelerate the university\u2019s further development. \u201cBuilding on the legacy and foundations of Semmelweis, with the support of the government we will raise the university to a level in line with the requirements of the 21st century under a complex and comprehensive strategic development, the Semmelweis XXI Development Project,\u201d the minister declared. He added that the project launched in January this year as well as the implementation of the higher education development program\u2019s additional elements are necessary to reach the goal of Semmelweis becoming a Top 100 university on a global level. The comprehensive investment will strengthen every element of the trinity of education, research and innovation, and health care, he pointed out<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>“Cooperation between institutions, as well as close collaboration with research networks and companies both in Hungary and abroad are key for raising the quality and competitiveness of education, and for increasing manifold health care and pharmaceutical developments and innovation,” said the minister. He added that in order to increase the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy, the government plans to further develop higher education in the 2018-2022 period working together with the participants of the country’s higher education ecosystem. The goal is to make universities visible on an international level and to strengthen their European cooperation. In order to achieve these goals, operations have to be simplified further, and we have to find the best models of operation, he pointed out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cThese are moments of historical significance for medical and health sciences education, research and health care in Hungary and in Europe,\u201d said rector Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely in his speech on the opening of the jubilee academic year. He pointed out that in the 2019\/20 academic year, we are paying tribute not just to the 250th anniversary of the university\u2019s foundation, but we also celebrate the beginning of organized medical education in Hungary and we take stock of the actions of the doctors and scientists of the past 250 years. Based on their legacy, we are forming the health care of our nation by training the medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, health care professionals, managers and conductors of the future, presenting them with the health care model of the future, said the rector. He added that we are also bound by the \u201cfamily tree\u201d of Semmelweis University to this endeavor, this is, the example of such notable individuals as Ign\u00e1c Semmelweis, Albert Szent-Gy\u00f6rgyi, Vilma Hugonnai and \u00c1gost Schoepf-Merei. The rector noted that it was in the course of the past 250 years that the university became what it is today: a renowned institution of higher education both on a national and international level, the proud flagship of medical and health sciences education, innovation and health care, which is attended by 36% of all medical students in Hungary, 35% of all health sciences students and 34% of all international students, with a total student body of almost 12,000.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The rector spoke about his primary objective of elevating the university, which thanks to the Semmelweis XXI Development Program stands before huge developments, to among the top 100 in global rankings, and among the top five health care universities of Europe within its field over the next 10 years. He noted that a new curriculum placing practical education in focus will enter into effect with the current jubilee academic year, thus first-year students will already study in this system. He also emphasized that in the jubilee year, the 250-year-old Semmelweis University plans to lead the way in forming attitudes to focus on prevention. \u201cDiseases don\u2019t start in the hospital; we believe in health, and our vocation is health,\u201d he said. We will also strengthen our university\u2019s foreign-language programs, the rector declared, extending a special welcome to international students.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the first-year students of the jubilee year, Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely stressed that they made the right decision when they chose the university, and the profession of a person who serves and helps others. \u201cIt is the love that actively seeks out the benefit and well-being of our patients, those we care for, which is the key of our profession,\u201d he declared. \u201cBe proud that starting from today, you are Semmelweis Citizens,\u201d he told the university\u2019s new students.<\/p>\n

“Budapest awaits and welcomes young people who build knowledge,” said Budapest mayor Istv\u00e1n Tarl\u00f3s in his speech. The achievements of our great predecessors are an example that tradition, knowledge, humility to the profession and the continuous development that these secure are the foundations of how medical training is conducted, he noted.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>He announced that on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the establishment of Semmelweis University, the capital and the university decided to renew the cooperation agreement they signed in 2011. The new agreement serves both the advancement of the quality of the capital city and the operations of the university. With its diverse and high-quality know-how and its education methodology, the university will continue on the future to provide aid to the municipal government of Budapest in developing its plans and programs, while the city will support the university with its experience in providing public services, with information and its extensive network of contacts, elaborated Istv\u00e1n Tarl\u00f3s. He added that with the renewed agreement, beyond practical cooperation and partnership, Budapest also wants to express its appreciation for Semmelweis University. In honor of the anniversary, the \u201cKlinik\u00e1k\u201d station of the M3 metro line will also be renamed \u201cSemmelweis University \u2013 Klinik\u00e1k.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Istv\u00e1n Tarl\u00f3s and Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely proceeded to sign the cooperation agreement at the opening ceremony.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n