{"id":47314,"date":"2026-02-23T06:00:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T05:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/english\/?p=47314"},"modified":"2026-03-17T13:53:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T12:53:40","slug":"the-students-scientific-conference-breaks-record-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/english\/2026\/02\/the-students-scientific-conference-breaks-record-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"The Students’ Scientific Conference breaks record this year"},"content":{"rendered":"
Students submitted a record number of 670 abstracts to this year’s Students’ Scientific Conference (TDK) at Semmelweis University, held on February 12-14 at the Nagyv\u00e1rad Square Theoretical Block (NET) and the Basic Medical Science Center (EOK). The presentations, covering the university’s educational portfolio, showcased new scientific findings ranging from medical and health sciences to dentistry, pharmaceutical and social sciences. At the opening ceremony, Rector Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely received the Honoris Causa Pro Scientia Gold Medal, awarded by the National Association for Student Research (OTDT). At the conference, awards were presented in the categories of Outstanding TDK Educator, Outstanding TDK Student, and Best First-Authored Publication. The Doctoral Students’ Union also presented its Outstanding Doctoral Student TDK Supervisor Award and Special Award for Outstanding TDK.<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe Students’ Scientific Conference is a true celebration, acknowledging outstanding students and mentors who attract talented young people like magnets to build workshops. It is a source of pride and joy that the popularity of TDK is growing, and this year our students from the entire Semmelweis Community have submitted more presentations than ever before,” said Rector Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely in his opening remarks. He emphasized that supporting talented individuals had been one of the noblest traditions at Semmelweis University throughout its over 250-year history. He added that talent management also contributed significantly to enhancing the institution’s excellence, as reflected in its position in higher education rankings.<\/p>\n

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As rector, clinic director, and vice-chair of the standing committee on talent development at the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference, I am committed to ensuring that young people are given every opportunity to grow and develop, and that Semmelweis University serves as a true incubator for talent at every level. \u2013 Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThis conference is not just a series of lectures, but an intellectual workshop, a platform where data is interpreted and transformed into knowledge, and where the future of science is built. I am confident that TDK is one of the most important forums and cradles of higher education,\u201d emphasized Dr. Attila Szij\u00e1rt\u00f3, President of the Students’ Scientific Association (TDT) at Semmelweis University, in his welcome speech. He highlighted that a record number of 670 presentations had been submitted to the conference, which had been evaluated by some 70 committees \u2013 meaning that the conference rivaled the scale of a smaller European international congress. In his words, the relationship between mentor and mentee was not just hierarchical, it was also based on shared thinking and a joint search for the way forward. During this process, professional rigor, intellectual humility, and ethical responsibility were passed on.<\/p>\n

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Dr. L\u00e1szl\u00f3 M\u00e1tyus, President of the National Association for Student Research (OTDT), said that it was a particular pleasure to have more than 100 international students presenting at this year’s conference. He encouraged students and their mentors to aim for even higher numbers of presentations at next year’s TDK conference.<\/p>\n

“If I should name a person in Hungary who has been exemplary in their TDK activities, first as a student and then as a mentor to students, it would be Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely,” said Dr. L\u00e1szl\u00f3 M\u00e1tyus, as he presented the rector of Semmelweis University with the OTDT’s most prestigious award, the Honoris Causa Pro Scientia Gold Medal. This award is bestowed on outstanding professors, researchers, and public figures who have set an example in supporting student research in Hungarian higher education institutions and who have done much to promote the public image and professional recognition of students as well as the teachers and researchers supporting and collaborating with them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In the laudatory speech, Dr. L\u00e1szl\u00f3 M\u00e1tyus emphasized that Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely had won four first prizes as a TDK student and then had supervised more than 50 TDK projects in the following decades. In 2007, he was awarded the Pro Scientia Master Tutor Gold Medal. He served as the secretary of the OTDT for three years, and subsequently supported talent development for around 10 years as the president of the TDT at Semmelweis University. He was vice-chairman of the OTDT Committee for Medical and Health Sciences for 10 years, during which time, on his initiative, the quota for submissions to the OTDK in this field was doubled. During his career, he has won every award that the OTDT has to offer.<\/p>\n

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This year marked the 15th edition of the Semmelweis International Students\u2019 Conference online event, which was opened by Dr. Al\u00e1n Alp\u00e1r, Vice-Rector for International Studies. Speakers from Semmelweis University, as well as universities on the continent and overseas, gave 33 presentations in five sections on a wide range of topics in basic and clinical sciences. Click HERE<\/a> for the abstracts of the presentations and HERE<\/a> for the list of awardees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In his welcome address, Dr. P\u00e9ter Szendr\u0151, President Emeritus of OTDT, emphasized that the most beautiful aspect of the relationship between mentor and student was that they both learned and benefited from their collaboration. He explained that the mentor gained youthful energy and the student gained wisdom.<\/p>\n

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In keeping with tradition, the opening ceremony continued with acknowledgements. Rector Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely and Dr. Attila Szij\u00e1rt\u00f3 presented a certificate of appreciation to the representative of Gedeon Richter Plc. for their support in organizing the TDK conferences. Following this, the Outstanding TDK Educator, Outstanding TDK Student, and Best First-Authored Publication Awards were presented.<\/p>\n

The list of award winners can be viewed by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n
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Outstanding TDK Educators (2025):<\/strong><\/p>\n