Von Neumann Guide Magazine 2018

Von n n a m Neu Guide

JOHN VON NEUMANN UNIVERSITY HUNGARY

KECSKEMÉT SZOLNOK

VNG

Kecskemét Szolnok John von Neumann University, Hungary

Von Neumann Guide magazine is owned and published by John von Neumann University, Kecskemét, Hungary.

www.uni-neumann.hu www.facebook.com/neumann.egyetem

Publisher: Piroska Ailer, PhD, Rector of the University The Guide project is funded by the European Union and the Hungarian Government in the framework of “Higher Education Institution Developments at John von Neumann University for the Combined Improvement of the Quality and Accessibility of Higher Education” (EFOP-3.4.3-16-2016-00002).

Senior Project Manager: László Szívós, PhD, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Project Manager: János Tanács, PhD Senior Editor: Ilka Verebics Editors: István Danka PhD, Rita Dénes, Nikolett Elek, Zsuzsanna Döme, Mária Lakatos PhD Special Advisor: Emőke Kötél, PhD Head of University Library Translation: Prima Lingua Kft., Hungary Photography: Anikó Pap, Péter Horváth Artwork, prepress, production: Orlando Studio Ltd., 2040 Budaörs, Gervay Mihály str. 1., Hungary Contacts: Rector’s Office Address: 6000 Kecskemét, Izsáki str. 10.

Postal address: 6001 Kecskemét, P.O.B. 700.

E-mail: rh@uni-neumann.hu Secretariat: +36 (76) 501 960

CONTENTS WHY CHOOSE KECSKEMÉT? Messages from the Rector and the Chancellor WHY CHOOSE JOHN VON NEUMANN UNIVERSITY? Facts and Figures OUR EDUCATIONAL VENUES Kecskemét and Szolnok OUR UNIVERSITY History - Faculties - Housing Infrastructure - Libraries INDUSTRY RELATIONS - THE DUAL-TRAINING SYSTEM Partners, Facts, and Opinions JOHN VON NEUMANN The Man behind the Name THE UNIVERSITY’S GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE How We Operate ALL ABOUT OUR STUDENTS Students’ Union & Service Centre - Alumni Organisation - Scholarships Colleges for Advanced Studies - Mentoring Network - Practice Teaching Facilities Our Prize-Winning Honours ERASMUS+ AND TEMPUS International Programmes ACADEMIC LIFE Scientific Council - Journals – Scientific Performance - R&D&I - Awards FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE Message from the Dean - Departments - Bachelor’s Programmes Higher Vocational Training Programmes - Academic Life - Partnerships Life at the Faculty FACULTY OF HORTICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Why Choose the Faculty: the Dean’s Perspective - Departments Practice Farmland and Study Garden -Study Programmes Practical Courses and Experiments - Dual Training SZOLNOK FACULTY OF ECONOMY Mission - Location and Environs - Departments - Bachelor’s Programmes Courses in English - Higher Vocational Training Programmes Grants and Scholarships - Dual Training - Student Life TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY Message from the Dean - Location, Environs, and Departments Research Groups - Bachelor’s Programmes - Why Choose the Faculty: a Student’s Opinion - Department of Foreign Languages and Further Education FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS A ‘Great Product’ from the Educational Market: Message from the Dean Departments - Bachelor’s Programmes - Master’s Programme in International Economy and Business Administration - MBA SMART UNIVERSITY, MODERN CAMPUS The Faculty of Economics and Business Presents Its 21st-Century Building Complex CULTURAL AND SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY Drama Society - Theatre - ’KEFOLK’ Ensemble - Sport Facilities Competition Opportunities SPORT AND INTELLECTUAL EFFORT – A WINNING COMBINATION Interview with Gábor Hajnal, a Dual Student in Business Administration and Management, Active Sportsman and Footballer

3 3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-17

18-19 20-21 22-29

30-37

38-45

46-53

54-59

60-61

62-63

64-65

ISSN 2630-9890

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WHY CHOOSE KECSKEMÉT? “I must admit I’m biased, but there is indeed much to be proud of! In the past couple of years, the University has developed spectacularly, by leaps and bounds, and many of us have worked really hard to achieve that. First of all, ‘Neumann’ is diverse. It offers prestigious, practice-oriented study programmes in five academic disciplines. Our multinational corporate partners ― including Mercedes-Benz and Knorr-Bremse ― are basically ‘within our gates’: we have obtained national acclaim in dual training, and the launching of marketable and modern study programmes in Economics in Kecskemét has fulfilled the University’s long-time ambition.

The University matters to the city and to my colleagues, and that really shows.

Not to mention our ‘wonder campus’! What more do you need?”

Piroska Ailer, PhD Rector

“The real question is: ’Why shouldn’t you?’ Kecskemét is Hungary’s eighth-largest city by population, and seventh-largest by area. Having benefited from more than 800 billion Hungarian forints’ worth of investment, Kecskemét offers a flourishing infrastructure and real estate market, a multinational corporate environment, a buzzing cultural life, festivals, more than a hundred restaurants, a municipal theatre, a spa and pool complex, and of course, the University itself. I could go on and on, but I simply adore this lovely, liveable and hospitable city — its beautiful main square with the holiday lights, for instance.”

WHY CHOOSE JOHN VON NEUMANN UNIVERSITY? The long-term objective of John von Neumann University is to become a “citadel” for state-of-the-art education, research, development and innovation (R&D&I), technology transfer and services in Hungary and East-Central Europe, contributing to the creation of a knowledge-based European society and preserving the educational and cultural traditions of its predecessors.

The cornerstones of the University’s value system are: professional commitment, student-orientedness, an ethical and empathic approach, quality, efficiency, responsibility, and reliability. In the creation of its programmes, this University of applied sciences aims to strike a balance between core fundamentals, modern know-how that can prepare students directly for their professional careers, and the practical application of such knowledge. The University continuously adapts its educational potential to European trends and demands, and takes on a lion’s share in regional research and development projects.

The University’s network of relations, readiness to cooperate, and study programmes that are constantly adapted to accommodate changing trends in economic and social life, guarantee that, in accordance with the strategic aims of Hungarian higher education, our graduates will be highly-qualified professionals who are equipped with marketable knowledge and competencies that the labour market demands and recognises.

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Zita Finta Chancellor

ne of Hungary’s youngest universities, o but built nonetheless on long-standing traditions and impressive teaching experience Hungary’s “citadel” of applied sciences joint university shared between two cities and two counties produced more than 4,500 graduates offers state-funded and tuition-based enrolment opportunities as well as the possibility to study either full-time or through correspondence 33 accredited training programmes: 18 BA/BSc programmes, 5 MA/MSc programmes, and 10 higher vocational training programmes highly qualified academic staff

One of Hungary’s youngest universities, but which nonetheless rests on long-standing local traditions, is rapidly turning into a regional centre for higher educational programmes. Due to its geographical location, intellectual potential and financial position, the University is likely to emerge as a strong competitor alongside other acclaimed Hungarian universities.

THE UNIVERSITY’S TWO EDUCATIONAL VENUES, KECSKEMÉT AND SZOLNOK, ARE BOTH COUNTY SEATS AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC HUBS. KECSKEMÉT is one of Hungary’s most dynamically developing cities. Besides its growing population, its development is reflected by an unemployment rate that has fallen from year to year. This spectacular boom can be put down to industrial developments.

In 2012, the Hungarian Government declared its intention to prioritise Kecskemét and its region as a centre for vehicle engineering. In addition to the production plant of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Kft., currently under expansion, other significant companies also envision their future here. At the same time, the city’s many Art Nouveau-style buildings create a pleasing aesthetic environment.

The city of SZOLNOK lies in the heart of the Hungarian Great Plain, at the confluence of the Tisza and Zagyva Rivers. With 70,000 inhabitants, Szolnok is an important economic, transport, military, cultural, educational and healthcare centre.

The very mention of its name conjures up the Tisza River, the Szigligeti Theatre, the Artists’ Colony, basketball, water sports, and “the blooming of the Tisza”— i.e. the spectacular annual mating ritual of the Tisza mayfly („tiszavirág” in Hungarian).

The Tiszavirág Bridge has, in fact, become an emblematic spot of the city.

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With the strengthening of the region’s economic role, the educational and R&D-related activities of John von Neumann University have also taken on new and greater value.

With its five faculties, John von Neumann University, whose legal predecessors date back to the 17th century, is not only the first university in the region to teach applied sciences, but it is also the largest higher educational institution in the two-county area.

The University’s five Faculties embody the traditional educational pillars of the region. The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (its acronym, “GAMF”, derives from the Faculty’s earlier Hungarian name: College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation) specialises in Mechanical Engineering and Information Technology, and draws on its relations with companies with a similar profile — which have become increasingly prevalent in the region. For decades now, the Teacher Training Faculty has been at the forefront in providing a continuous supply of intellectuals qualified in Humanities; the Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development is rooted in the multi-centennial agricultural traditions of the Kiskunság; and the Faculty of Economy has safeguarded the commercial, catering and touristic traditions of Szolnok.

The profiles of the above four Faculties are supplemented by the recently launched Faculty of Economics and Business, which offers international “business school”-type programmes.

Regardless of one’s choice of study programme, the University takes a practice-oriented approach in all areas of teaching (STEM, Humanities, Agriculture, Economics, Business) — one which is based on applied-sciences methodology and state-ofthe-art theoretical knowledge.

Offering programmes tailored to labour-market demands, the key priority for John von Neumann University is to satisfy the region’s capacity to absorb intellectuals in the domains covered by the University’s educational profile, with a special focus on the dynamically growing sectors of mechanical and information engineering and economics, while devoting equal attention to the region-specific domains of agriculture, commerce, economy ― and teacher training, which plays an essential role in the education of future generations of intellectuals.

While benefiting from highly favourable financial conditions, an extensive scholarship regime, and dual-training opportunities, local residents and students coming from the surrounding areas are able to obtain BA/BSc and MSc degrees of the same quality as those to be acquired at top universities of applied sciences, and to gain the knowledge, skills and practice necessary to obtain higher vocational qualifications. This unparalleled opportunity reduces the brain-drain phenomenon negatively affecting the region and which poses a major challenge for countryside towns in a country that is heavily Budapest-centred.

The dual-training programmes launched in 2012, the first of their kind in Hungary, have been by now extended to most of the training areas. This is a most-welcome development, due not only to the partial funding of studies, but also because of the work experience to be gained through these trainings. This opportunity offers our graduates a substantial competitive edge over students attending traditional study programmes elsewhere.

The construction of the new Kecskemét Campus is one of the most ambitious investments in Hungarian higher education in recent years. The first phase of the development project (on the premises of a former hospital on Izsáki Road) is scheduled to be completed in late 2019. This innovative, 226-room educational facility will also feature a more than 800-sqm auditorium, two 120-person lecture halls, 12 seminar rooms, 41 offices, and a library. Special applications, virtual spaces, real-time holographic projectors and other state-of-the-art amenities will enhance the students’ education.

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HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

1993 2000 2016 2017

Merger of the external Szolnok branches of the College of Commerce, Catering and Tourism and the College of Foreign Trade (both seated in Budapest) M erger of the College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, the Teacher Training College of Kecskemét, and the College Faculty of Horticulture of the University of Horticulture and Food Industry (seated in Budapest) 1 July – The College of Commerce and Economy adopts the name “Szolnok College” Pallasz Athéné University is created.

1 August – Pallasz Athéné University adopts the name John von Neumann University

CAMPUSES

John von Neumann University currently has five Faculties operating in two cities.

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE (GAMF) GAMF honours a commitment to high-level training of engineering and computer science professionals; facilitates broad cooperation with economic actors, while drawing on knowledge and innovation; and cultivates an environment for students that enhances learning, inspires the gifted, and helps those who are falling behind.

FACULTY OF HORTICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The Faculty is reputed for training agricultural engineers and horticulturalists who possess an entrepreneurial spirit and who can adapt flexibly, even in the context of continuously shifting market conditions. The Faculty offers practice-oriented study programmes, laboratories, a practice farmland, study gardens, and hothouses to enhance the application of acquired knowledge.

FACULTY OF ECONOMY, SZOLNOK The aim of the Faculty is to preserve the traditions of study programmes in Economics, while continuously upgrading them. In addition to bachelor’s degree programmes, higher vocational training programmes and postgraduate specialist training courses are also on offer. As a knowledge centre, the Faculty wishes to play an integrating role in developing programmes to meet local labour market needs.

TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY Teacher training in Kecskemét is characterised both by a reverence for tradition and a zeal for continual reform. Our Teacher Training Faculty has been preparing kindergarten teachers and primary school teachers for more than 50 years. The choice of study programmes offered and research areas studied reflect the Faculty’s focus on professional and scholarly activities related to early childhood and youth education.

FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS The aim of the recently launched Faculty of Economics and Business (operating since autumn 2017) is to equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge and adaptability to allow them to obtain a marketable university degree. The Faculty considers it a priority to seize and utilise the opportunities arising from the relations of a dynamically developing city and its business environment.

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HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE

KECSKEMÉT Homokbánya Student Hostel, Lővei Klára Student Hostel John von Neumann University has two housing facilities for students in Kecskemét and one in Szolnok. In Kecskemét, students can be accommodated in “Homokbánya Student Hostel”, a former military barracks converted into an exquisitely refurbished residence hall located in the “Homokbánya” suburb, or in “Lővei Klára Student Hostel” situated in downtown Kecskemét.

SZOLNOK Student Dormitory The housing facility of the Faculty of Economy, welcomes students in the heart of Szolnok.

Surrounded by a scenic natural environment, the Dormitory is situated on the banks of the Tisza River.

LIBRARIES

John von Neumann University’s Library and Information Centre has four specialist libraries: Business Administration Library, Horticultural Library, Technical and Economic Library, and Pedagogical Library.

THE LIBRARY HOUSES THE FOLLOWING: 224,225 documents (162,944 of which may be lent) 172 Hungarian and 26 foreign-language periodicals Several electronic databases (Electronic Information Service National Programme), among which are: »D ictionaries from Akadémiai Kiadó »A rcanum Digitheca (ADT) »A cademic Search Complete (EBSCO) »C AB Abstracts »S cience Direct + Scopus (Elsevier) »S pringerLink (Springer Nature) »W eb of Science (Clarivate Analytics/Thomson Reuters) 7

INDUSTRY RELATIONS - THE DUAL-TRAINING SYSTEM Károly Belina, CSc, PhD

Eszter Kókai, PhD,

Full Professor, Department of Materials Technology

Research Fellow, Department of Materials Technology of

of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer

the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science

Science (GAMF)

When were dual trainings launched at Kecskemét College, and why?

W

e began to devise this type of training in 2010 with the participation of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Kft. and Knorr-Bremse Fékrendszerek Kft. Our aim was to bolster the quality of the training and to ensure a continuous supply of engineers for these companies. Originally, we were contacted by Mercedes-Benz: the company management already had a good impression about the dual-training system, as most of them had pursued such studies in Germany.

Our dual trainings were launched in September 2012.

At which Faculty was the dual training form first offered, and which Faculties are involved in it now?

T

he dual training form was first introduced at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science (GAMF).

Currently, there are dual trainings on offer at every Faculty, with the exception of the Teacher Training Faculty. However, (GAMF) continues to have the highest number of students enrolled in this type of training.

In your opinion, what are the chief merits of the dual-training system?

D

ual students begin gaining work experience right from the start of their university studies, so they get an insight into the corporate culture and project-based approach early on.

Having finished their studies, they attend company meetings with self-confidence, and they take responsibility for their work. These are all success factors for our dual students, compared with students graduating from traditional study programmes.

Do you expect any changes or innovations in this type of training to take place?

I

n the future, we would like to hold trainings where mentors working with our dual students at the companies would also receive pedagogical guidance — “trainings for trainers”.

There have been such attempts before, and now we plan to try it again.

Where does this form of training come from?

I

t is based on a German model, which was applied by the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg, with 12-week cycles per semester. It was this system that we adapted to a Hungarian context. Our training regime is based on a 13+8+13+16-week schedule.

What are the main aims of the dual-training system?

O

ur fundamental objective is to enhance students’ expertise, and to achieve this primarily through practice.

During the programme, students learn to apply their theoretical knowledge while working at the companies.

Moreover, so-called soft skills are developed during the in-company training periods. By the time of their graduation, our beginner engineers already possess some work experience within the industry.

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DUAL TRAINING SYSTEM

2015 2016

Number of dual partners

≈

2016 2017

2017 2018

64

74

26

20

40

20

Number of graduates

OUR PARTNERS ARE ACTIVE IN THE FOLLOWING CURRENT FIELDS: PARTNERS

BY FACULTY: INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

AGRICULTURE

SERVICES

FINANCE

GAMF

We have altogether 74 partners, even though several of them appear in multiple lines below.

GAMF - 59 partners BSc in Mechanical Engineering BSc in Vehicle Engineering BSc in IT Engineering BSc in Technical Management BSc in Logistics Engineering

24 9 8 6 10

(based on figures as of 17 May 2018)

DUAL TRAINING AND THE ADVANTAGE OF PRACTICE “In light of the current labour-market situation, everyone should be aware of the importance of having appropriate practical skills and competencies right after graduation. This is exactly what dualtraining programmes can offer. Over the semesters, we also become acquainted with corporate culture, which will make it easier for us to find a job in the future.”

“We know what to expect from a company, and just as importantly, it is also an excellent opportunity for networking. During our university lectures we acquire the foundations, and at the end of the semester, during our traineeship, our knowledge ‘goes live’, which is important because that will enable us to identify and solve problems in real-life situations. All of this taken together helps us to develop our skills and competencies.”

Alexandra Kádár Faculty of Economics and Business, dual student in Business Administration and Management

9

FE

59

13 ALL

74

FEB

10

HRD

11

FE - Faculty of Economics, Szolnok FEB - Faculty of Economics and Business GAMF - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science HRD - Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development

JOHN VON NEUMANN THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME

Computers, nuclear energy and nuclear weapons are things that would likely have developed quite differently without John von Neumann. Other disciplines upon which von Neumann left his revolutionary stamp are set theory, quantum mechanics, information technology, and economics — and it would be quite a task to list all of his doctoral honorifics and titles. At the height of his fame, the Financial Times hailed him as “Man of the Century”.

The statue of John von Neumann in front of the university's Central Building.

John von Neumann in front of the IAS computer, 1952. At waist level are twelve of the forty Williams cathode-ray memory tubes, storing 1,024 bits in each individual tube, for a total capacity of five kilobytes (40,960 bits).

John von Neumann, coauthor of Theory of Games and Economic Behavior, lectures at the American Philosophical Society in 1957.

Visitors and some participants in the 1950 ENIAC computations.

Left to right: Harry Wexler, John von Neumann, M. H. Frankel, Jerome Namias, John Freeman, Ragnar Fjörtoft, Francis Reichelderfer and Jule Charney

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BUT WHO IS THE ACTUAL PERSON BEHIND THE FAMOUS NAME? John von Neumann — “Margittai Neumann János Lajos” in Hungarian — was born in Budapest on 28 December 1903.

At the age of six, he could divide eight-digit numbers in his head. At the age of eight, differential calculus came to him with ease. At the age of ten, he spoke six languages, and would joke with his father in Ancient Greek.

He attended “Fasori” Lutheran Secondary School, as did Eugene Paul Wigner, Kálmán Kandó and, later on, John Harsányi.

In those years, Budapest produced a multitude of world-famous scientists, but whenever someone called von Neumann’s Nobel Prize-winning colleagues and friends “geniuses”, they replied that there was really only one true genius among them — “ Jancsi”, or Johnny, as he came to be known. In the words of the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Eugene Paul Wigner: “There are two types of men in the world: Johnny von Neumann and the rest of us.”

Von Neumann studied Mathematics in Budapest and Chemistry in Berlin, and obtained a degree in Chemical Engineering in Zürich.

In 1926, his doctoral dissertation revolutionised set theory.

George Pólya was von Neumann’s professor in Zürich. Whenever he got to an unsolved problem during the lecture, von Neumann would put his hand up five minutes later and then scribble the solution on the board. Pólya confessed that von Neumann was the only student he had ever been afraid of.

After completing his studies, von Neumann did research in Göttingen. He was a privatdozent in Berlin and Hamburg before being invited by the University of Princeton in 1930, where he became the youngest-ever university professor in the United States. In 1932, he produced the mathematical foundations for quantum mechanics, and from 1933 he worked at the Institute of Advanced Studies together with Albert Einstein.

He spoke English with a heavy accent. Even when he accidentally pronounced a word properly, he quickly corrected himself, falling back into his Hungarian accent.

Before relocating to the United States, he married Marietta Köves. In 1935, they had a daughter, Marina von Neumann Whitman, who is now a Professor of Business Administration and Public Policy at the University of Michigan. Following a divorce from his first wife, he later married Klára Dán.

“If people don’t believe that mathematics is simple, it’s only because they don’t realise how complicated life is,” von Neumann reputedly said.

From 1944, von Neumann participated in designing the first electronic computer. The foundations of computer science have gone down in academic history as “Neumann’s Principle”. His interest in applied mathematics later oriented him towards the Manhattan Project.

Though von Neumann wasn’t particularly good at gambling, he often played poker with Edward Teller and their friends in Los Alamos — experience that helped him to produce his “game theory”.

His “minimax theorem”, created in 1944 in cooperation with Oskar Morgenstein, has been applied ever since in the domains of economics, psychology, sociology, law, political science, and evolution studies. The guiding principle of subsequent U.S. foreign policy, the strategy of nuclear deterrence was also based on his game theory. “ (1) John von Neumann can prove any claim.

(2) Whatever von Neumann has proved is true.” — Edward Teller, the “Father of the H-bomb” In 1955, von Neumann was appointed member of the United States Atomic Energy Commission. Most likely due to the radiation poisoning to which he was exposed during his work, he developed bone cancer and died on 8 February 1957 in Washington, D.C. in the hospital bed reserved for U.S. Presidents. His last book, left unfinished, was titled The Computer and the Brain.

“I have sometimes wondered whether a brain like von Neumann's does not indicate a species superior to that of man".

— Hans Bethe, Nobel Prize winner physicist John von Neumann considered his achievements to be public property, and would not have them patented. A minor planet, a lunar crater, streets, grammar schools, technical schools, faculties, awards, and societies have all been named after him — as has our University, of course.

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THE UNIVERSITY’S GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE Up until the end of the 20th century, universities in continental Europe were typically governed according to a centralised approach. However, the majority of Western European countries have switched to governance based on the distribution of powers. In these countries, the state participates in the governing bodies of universities in order to ensure control over the functioning of these institutions with regard to all issues that belong to the competence of the governing body.

In Hungary, the “chancellor system”, introduced in 2016, established a dual-governance system in higher educational institutions. Accordingly, our University is governed jointly by the Rector and the Chancellor.

THE RECTOR IS IN CHARGE OF: the academic sphere; the educational portfolio; academic and research activities; the exercise of employer’s rights over the teaching and research staff.

THE CHANCELLOR IS IN CHARGE OF: business administration; the budget; accommodating the needs of the teaching and research staff as efficiently as possible.

The structure of higher education can be extremely rigid and unyielding, but the emergence of the chancellor system brought an important change.

PIROSKA AILER, PHD, is a mechanical engineer, college professor and the Rector of John von Neumann University. She graduated as an aeronautical engineer from the Faculty of Vehicle Engineering of the University of Technical University of Budapest, and then became a career military officer and worked with fighter planes for seven years.

Ailer obtained her PhD in 2003. From 2005, she worked as a development engineer at Knorr-Bremse for almost ten years and for one year at Hasse & Wrede in Berlin. The Faculty of Vehicle Engineering of GAMF was set up in Kecskemét under her direction. Ailer has published nearly 80 scholarly papers, and is one of just a few female inventors with an international patent.

ZITA FINTA, an economist, is the Chancellor of John von Neumann University, and the Chair of the Bács-Kiskun County Unit of the Hungarian Economic Association. Her career has always been linked to civil service. After working in Nagykőrös, and then in Budapest, Finta returned to Kecskemét. Before she took her current position as Chancellor, she led the Urban Strategy Bureau of the Mayor’s Office of Kecskemét. Her chancellorship of the University is a rarity for females employed in Hungarian higher education. Under her direction, John von Neumann University manages an annual budget of five billion Hungarian forints.

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FACULTIES

CHANCELLOR

RECTOR STUDENTS' UNION

SENATE

CONSISTORY

VICE-RECTOR FOR EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS

SOCIAL SCIENCES KNOWLEDGE CENTRE

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CENTRE

VICE-RECTOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

HIGHER EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY COOPERATION CENTRE

EDUCATION AND TRAINING DIRECTORATE

VICE-CHANCELLOR ECONOMIC DIRECTORATE

The Rector and the Chancellor are aided in their work by a Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, a Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs, and a Vice-Chancellor, as well as numerous councils, committees, and boards. Among the latter, the most important one is the Senate, composed of the representatives of the instructors, researchers, professors and other staff members — in addition to the Rector and the Chancellor — and which is the University’s main decision-making and supervisory body. The Senate determines and monitors the University’s operation, and educational and research duties. The Consistory, on the other hand, offers support for the strategic decisions of the institution, and provides professional aid and monitoring for its economic management. Apart from the Rector and the Chancellor, who are members by office, Consistory members are delegated by the competent minister. Additional councils, committees, and bodies assisting the University’s functioning are the following: 13

» Rector’s Council » Students' Union and its faculty-level units » Scientific Council » Quality Management Committee » Rector’s Human Resources Committee » Enrolment Committee » Educational Committee » Scholarly and Artistic Students’ Association Council » Student Disciplinary Committee » Student Accommodation Committee » Student Welfare Committee » Student Equality of Chances Committee » Student Committee of Appeal » Housing Committee » Equality of Chances Committee As their names suggest, these committees cover all the aspects of university life.

STUDENTS’ UNION THE AIMS OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION: advocate for students’ interests in all questions pertaining to students, and in all university-, regional- and national-level bodies and forums. exercise students’ collective rights to make decisions and proposals, their right to approve and to control procedures, and their right to be consulted. These rights are conferred to the Students’ Union by the “Act on Higher Education” and other pieces of legislation, University and Faculty regulations, and Senate and Faculty Council decisions.

THE DUTIES OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION: take part in the work of higher educational representative organisations. support the communal activities of students (e.g. professional, academic or sporting associations), as well as the efforts of self-organised student groups. investigate students’ problems and take appropriate measures to remedy them. use available communication channels to inform students continuously about the work of the Students’ Union, university-related issues, calls for applications, scholarships, grants, and job opportunities. promote a vibrant university life by organising cultural and traditional programmes. enhance the development of students’ professional, cultural and other relations in Hungary and abroad.

STUDENT SERVICE CENTRE The Student Service Centre of John von Neumann University has extensive duties.

By offering services necessary for building a successful career, it helps to strengthen relations between students and companies, helps students along their career paths, and facilitates work-placement opportunities — both during their studies and after graduation.

DUTIES: Enrolment, career guidance » i nform prospective students before their entrance exams » s upport and coordinate enrolment » r eceive groups of secondary-school students Career »p ublish job offers, apprenticeship and student job opportunities » k eep in touch with students, faculty members, and external partners »p rovide guidance in how to write CVs and letters of motivation »o rganise trial job interviews »o rganise professional events: job fairs, professional talks, factory visits Alumni/Graduate Tracking System (”DPR”) » c ontact the alumni » f acilitate the organisation of alumni reunions »o perate Graduate Career Tracking System (“DPR”) Nurturing talent »p romote student competitions » s upport the work of the Bethlen István College For Advanced Studies (research groups and specialist committees); recruitment, administration, event organisation

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ALUMNI ALUMNI (“graduates”) is the plural form of the Latin alumnus, meaning: “male graduate”.

The feminine singular form is alumna.

An aim of John von Neumann University is to maintain relations with its former students, as well as with those of its legal predecessors (i.e. Kecskemét College, Szolnok College, Pallasz Athéné University), even after their graduation. In June 2018, one-time GAMF students were able to meet again at their 30-year jubilee reunion, organised by Study Group 309.

STUDENT ALLOWANCES AND SCHOLARSHIPS The Payments and Allowances Regulations of John von Neumann University, which each freshman receives as an Appendix to the University Catalogue, describes the various grants and scholarships available at the University.

Study grants are awarded by the Student Welfare Committee, and are based on the principles established in the Regulations.

Social grants are geared towards those students who attend a full-time, state-funded undergraduate programme on a state-sponsored (full or partial) scholarship, or a higher vocational training programme, and who have special financial needs.

Regular social grants offer applicants a monthly allowance for one study period.

Students must apply for social grants and certify their eligibility. Extraordinary social grants constitute a lump-sum payment allocated on the basis of individual requests, and aim to provide relief for students who are in immediate need of social or financial assistance.

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE: National Higher Education Scholarship (formerly: Fellowship granted by the Republic) Professional Traineeship Grant Ujvári János Thesis Paper Scholarship Kecskemét City Scholarship Szolnok City Scholarship Hungarian Sport Stars Scholarship Programme Grants and scholarships awarded by the individual Faculties: cholarships of Pallas Athéné Domus Mentis Foundation – S Faculty of Economics and Business Professional, Scientific, and Public Scholarship – Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (GAMF) Szemerey Scholarship – Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (GAMF) Törös Olga Scholarship – Teacher Training Faculty Varró János Scholarship – Teacher Training Faculty Scholarship of the Foundation for Modern Trade – Faculty of Economy 15

COLLEGES FOR ADVANCED STUDIES 1. KECSKEMÉT – ÖVEGES JÓZSEF COLLEGE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES This College for Advanced Studies aspires to the following: provide top-quality professional training for students who excel academically; allow students to become involved in research and development carried out at the various departments; enable students to establish a professional and collegial relationship with teaching staff in the course of their independent work; galvanise College residents into forming an intellectual community that is based on shared values and joint action; allow students to exercise an active public life based on the idea of self-governance.

2. SZOLNOK – BETHLEN ISTVÁN COLLEGE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES This College for Advanced Studies allows students to acquire high-quality professional and general knowledge within its talent-nurturing system. In its efforts to animate university life, the College provides appropriate conditions for individual and collective creative work, which contributes to raising the standard of education, and promotes teachers’ and students’ educational freedom, while striving to create and maintain collegial relations between students and faculty members.

Programmes offered by Colleges for Advanced Studies: courses (seminars) lectures study trips visits to institutions professional camps

MENTORING NETWORK MENTORS ARE THERE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IF YOU: want to amaze your professor with a smashing presentation for a particular course; are intrigued by a given topic but have no idea how to learn more about it; think you have academic potential but don’t know what to do with it; feel like entering a scholarly student competition with an illuminating paper; could use some advice about how to start research; would love to take part in a call for applications or a competition, but lack self-confidence.

PRACTICE TEACHING FACILITIES PETŐFI SÁNDOR PRACTICE PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Our ongoing partnership with John von Neumann University, and especially with its Teacher Training Faculty, offers the following advantages: an opportunity to lead practices for teacher trainees; methodological and professional cooperation; participation in research projects; holding joint conferences; publication opportunities; joint participation in tenders.

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Our educational approach is characterised by the following: an innovative spirit state-of-the-art forms of education organisation application of the project method development of digital competencies individual treatment differentiation talent nurturing an environmentally conscious attitude mother-tongue and foreign language education a “healthy mind in a healthy body” philosophy Our school is a member of the National Association of Practice Schools, while our kindergarten has good relations in Denmark within the Erasmus+ programme.

Our pupils take part in various competitions — partly thanks to our operation as a “talent point”. They have achieved excellent results in sports, chess, and many other subjects.

Our most important future plans and ambitions are to implement the “Transition from Kindergarten to School” Programme, and to maintain a school that offers high-level, competitive knowledge. The execution of programmes included in the six EFOP tenders will certainly produce higher standards in all areas.

OUR PRIZE-WINNING HONOURS 1. CLAAS UNITECH ENGINEERING STUDENT COMPETITION In the finals of the CLAAS UniTech Engineering Student Competition, held in April 2018, engineering students put the might of agricultural machines to the test on the premises of CLAAS Hungária Zrt. in Törökszentmiklós — machines that the students had built themselves. In the course of the three-round finals, a professional jury decided which machines were the fastest, the most heavy-duty, and — just as importantly — had the best harvesting capacity.

Second-year engineering students from John von Neumann University — András Baji, Károly Farmosi and Csaba Birkás — built a tandem combine, which was simultaneously operated by two of them while the third member of the team gave operating instructions over the phone. Our students won the competition, and brought home a prize of one million Hungarian forints, as well as an opportunity to visit the CLAAS headquarters in Germany.

2. PNEUMOBILE COMPETITION In 2018, the Jok-Air team of John von Neumann University won the 11th International Aventics Pneumobile Competition.

The race, which showcased numerous innovative solutions and provided the viewing public with many an exciting moment in the “Archbishop’s Garden” in Eger, was organised with the participation of 36 teams from 20 universities and nine countries. Thanks to an equally talented field of competitors, each event was won by a different team.

After combining the intermediate results, the Kecskemét team came out on the top and were awarded the “Best Pneumobile of Aventics 2018” trophy, as well as the accompanying prize of one million Hungarian forints.

17

WHAT ARE THE THREE BEST THINGS IN KECSKEMÉT FOR AN ERASMUS STUDENT?

1 Our University takes part in the Erasmus+/ Tempus programmes and promotes:

Every week there is an event called

English Chat Club where we do a lot of activities, games and presentations about different countries and cultures.

ERASMUS

eneral and research-oriented mobility g for students and teaching staff; international cooperation between educational institutions; language learning; intercultural sensitivity.

2

Kecskemét is a small city so it

is easier to get to know the real Hungarian culture and traditions than in a huge city.

English Chat Club – an international community space organised by the "Hírös Agóra" Cultural and Youth Centre.

PARTNER INSTITUTIONS

3

“Kecskemét is super close to Buda pest and it is located in the middle of Europe.” (Maria Astorqui Pascual - Spain - Teacher Training Faculty 2018/2019 whole academic year)

9

14 17 12 13

25

1 21 23

18 7

19

5

16

11

15

24 22 6

4

20

2

10

3 8

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

University of Dublin, Ireland University of Patras, Greece Universidad de Córdoba, Spain Universitat de Barcelona, Spain Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen, Germany Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Portugal Université de Bretagne Occidentale, France Universidad de Málaga, Spain University of Eastern Finland, Finland Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich, Switzerland Šiaulių Universitetas, Lithuania University College UCC, Denmark University of Turku, Finland ESPE Quimper, France KPH Wien, Austria Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg, Germany Université de Cergy-Pontoise, France Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi, Turkey

21. Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany 22. Università di Foggia, Italy 23. University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland 24. Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Italy 25. Kauno Kolegija / University of Applied Sciences, Lithuania

“It is essential that professors gain direct insights into the educational processes of other countries, bring home foreign best practices, adapt useful ideas, and gain new experience.

I can’t wait to see the curriculum they will be teaching [at the Hochschule], as well as the methods and perspectives they will be using to transfer knowledge to students. Getting to know a multicultural student environment is always a fascinating and thrilling experience.”

Mónika Dominekné Nagyhegyesi faculty member, Department of Foreign Languages and Further Education

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FOREIGN RELATIONS MAKOVECZ PROGRAMME The Makovecz Programme is a cooperation that: ffers study programmes in Hungarian; o is established between higher educational institutions located in Hungary and its neighbouring countries; seeks to facilitate student and teaching staff exchange.

MAKOVECZ PROGRAMME

CEEPUS PROGRAMME CEEPUS PROGRAMME Central European Exchange Program for University Studies A total of 16 countries from Central and Eastern Europe and the West Balkans are participating in the CEEPUS programme. The aim of the programme is to enhance student and teaching staff mobility in the countries of these regions.

The programme offers the following possibilities: articipate in summer p Tímea Dormán universities and intensive courses; Erasmus+ organise a student trip to points Departmental of professional interest; Coordinator attend courses at another university for three to five months; apply for a one- to two-month scholarship (e.g. to gather thesis materials).

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science (GAMF) has been a part of the CEEPUS programme since the 2006/2007 academic year.

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THE PROGRAMME AIMS TO DO THE FOLLOWING: ensure a continuous supply of intellectuals for Hungarian communities living outside of Hungary; boost the quality of higher education; participate more efficiently in the process of internationalisation; create a uniform “higher educational area” in the Carpathian Basin.

John von Neumann University joined the Makovecz Programme in January 2018 with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science (GAMF) and the Teacher Training Faculty.

GAMF has been cooperating with Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Romania and the Subotica Technical College of Applied Sciences, Serbia.

“The Teacher Training Faculty has welcomed students attending the Faculty of Central European Studies at Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia. We have been negotiating about a possible cooperation with Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute, Ukraine, and we plan to establish contacts also with the Hungarian-Language Teacher Training Faculty at the University of Novi Sad, located in Subotica, Serbia.”

István Kozmács, PhD Professor, Teacher Training Faculty

ACADEMIC LIFE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL

The Scientific Council is the body in charge of elaborating and implementing the University’s research, development and innovation strategy (R&D&I), and oversees the University’s scholarly activities.

SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS The University’s two online journals support the publication of research findings and professional discourse. These are: Gradus — edited by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science (GAMF) Economica — edited by the Faculty of Economy

SCIENTIFIC PERFORMANCE In 2013, John von Neumann University joined the Hungarian National Scientific Bibliography (MTMT), a database created with a view to registering and presenting the results of Hungarian scientific research. The University’s Library and Information Centre assures the professional supervision of the MTMT’s administration. The following statistics date from 2000 (taking also into consideration the data of our legal predecessors).

Scientific publications (2000-2018) Institution/ Faculty

In Hungarian

In other languages

Books

Book sections

Journal articles

Conference proceedings

Books

Book sections

Journal articles

Conference proceedings

42

166

1229

1127

7

75

581

587

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science

1

21

271

352

0

17

195

284

Faculty of Economy

6

23

440

196

0

15

95

83

Faculty of Economics and Business

3

0

4

1

0

0

1

0

Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development

1

18

304

435

1

2

245

167

31

104

213

144

6

41

41

49

John von Neumann University

Teacher Training Faculty

Source: vm.mtmt.hu Statistics generated by Erika Medgyesi. Date of generation: 7 June 2018 Note: As these are cumulated statistics, there may be differences between the overall institutional data and the cumulated data of the Faculties. Regarding the Faculty of Economics and Business, data on the teaching staff are only included from October 2017, and only for faculty members whose affiliation has been completed. The table does not contain the bibliometric data on talks and abstracts: with those included, there are more than 4,000 scientific entries for the teaching staff at John von Neumann University.

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RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND INNOVATION (R&D&I) AND RESEARCH PROGRAMMES In recent years, John von Neumann University has fulfilled several undertakings, including the acquisition of valuable equipment, devices, and software. The University possesses resources and key competences in the domains of engineering, agriculture, economics, and human resources, through which it can enhance the R&D&I activities of its industrial and institutional partners.

EYE TRACKING IS THE KEY R&D&I FOCUS AREA IN 2018 “So far, the teaching staff and students of the Teacher Training Faculty, the students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science (GAMF), and teachers of Petőfi Sándor Practice Primary School have joined in the eye-tracking research project.”

“The instrumental examination of eye movements, or ‘eye tracking’, has developed significantly in recent decades. The aim of such examinations is to study students’ cognitive abilities and development possibilities, especially in the teaching of reading, visual arts, music, mathematics, and foreign languages.” “We can utilise these research findings in order to better understand and develop students’ cognitive, learning, reading, information-processing and task-solving strategies.”

Zsuzsa Buzás, PhD Assistant Professor

SCIENTISTS’ HOUSE

Located next to the Homokbánya Student Hostel in Kecskemét, the 3,500-sqm Scientists’ House is a versatile educational, cultural, and scientific centre that not only stands to play an outstanding role in the University’s future, but also aspires to be a municipal and regional innovation centre. Its multifunctional community areas, multicapacity conference rooms, and research rooms are well-suited to accommodate scientific research and popular science events.

HOUSE FUNCTIONS: Recreational areas (wellness, bowling, relaxation) Rooms suitable for hosting various events: multifunctional space, conference rooms of various sizes, Netcafe Nine fully furnished apartments with a bathroom and kitchenette Brainstorming rooms Multifunctional community space and team rooms Research rooms for young researchers and businesses

AWARDS Norbert Babcsán, PhD

Engineer and physicist, Honorary Professor of the Department of Materials Technology of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science (GAMF), co-owner of Aluinvent Zrt., and inventor, was distinguished with the Gábor Dénes Prize in 2016 for his innovative and internationally acclaimed activities and achievements — protected by Hungarian and international patents — in the domain of the development, propagation, and industrial-scale production of aluminium foam — dubbed the “new material of the 21st century”.

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FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE (GAMF) Despite changes in its organisational framework, GAMF has retained its core values for more than 50 years, namely: honouring a commitment to high-level training of engineering and computer science professionals; facilitating broad cooperation with economic actors, while drawing from the latest knowledge and trends in innovation; and cultivating an environment for students that enhances learning, inspires the gifted, and helps those who are falling behind.

WHY CHOOSE THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE (GAMF)?

“Wherever we look in Hungary — whether at big companies or, just as often, at small and medium-sized enterprises — we see mechanical engineers, technical managers, computer science engineers and vehicle engineers who are GAMF graduates, and who are often employed in top positions or manage their own companies or businesses.

Over the past five decades, GAMF has become a trademark that provides not only great credentials for its graduates, but represents state-of-the-art expertise and competencies to develop and self-educate. Inspired by the German example, the Faculty – as a torch-bearer in Hungary – introduced in 2012 the dual-training system, developed in close cooperation with its business partners. This system is able to meet shifting economic expectations in a more flexible way than other training systems used previously. Since then, the 'Kecskemét model' has emerged as an example to follow on a countrywide basis. Our achievements reflect a wide-ranging partnership: SMEs, big companies, professional organisations and local municipalities form the 'tissue' that guarantees a common and successful future.”

Lóránt Kovács, PhD Professor and Dean

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FACULTY LOCATION AND ENVIRONS

CONTACT DETAILS:

I

n addition to educational buildings, workshops and laboratories, the Faculty campus, located near the city centre, hosts a library, a sports hall and various sporting grounds. The main hall of the central educational building, the IT space of the library, and a landscaped and shaded courtyard all provide community-friendly areas for socialising.

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE (GAMF) H-6000 Kecskemét, Izsáki út 10.

H-6001 Kecskemét, Pf. 91. +36 (76) 516 300 +36 (76) 516 399 gamf@gamf.uni-neumann.hu

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE FACULTY

DEPARTMENT OF MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES

In recent years, the Faculty has benefited from several billions of Hungarian forints' worth of EU funding: workshops and laboratories have been upgraded to modern standards, and new tools and equipment have been procured.

The Faculty’s educational and research activities cover the most state-of-the-art materials in use today, while also examining their properties and related technologies. It is of paramount importance that our students acquire not only theoretical knowledge, but obtain pragmatic know-how as well through easy access to materials, machines and equipment.

We place a major emphasis on practice-oriented teaching. This objective is supported by our modern and extensive pool of equipment, and by faculty members with close ties to the industry. Continuous renewal, the providing of up-to-date solutions, and the assurance of life-long learning for our Faculty members are paramount for us. We work in continuous cooperation both with our dual partners and the automotive manufacturer and supplier that honours us with its confidence.

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE AND LOGISTICS

This department participates in the education of all students attending any of the GAMF study programmes. Our students prepare their thesis work on topical and pragmatic issues at leading industrial firms. Of the four postgraduate specialist trainings that our Faculty offers, we supervise three: for manager specialist engineers, qualitysystems specialist engineers, and logistics specialist engineers.

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Our core activities are education, and research and development.

In the domain of education, our primary goal is to provide students with up-to-date and readily applicable knowledge so that they are able to solve IT assignments in the fields of software development, safe system operation, and management of industrial processes.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING

This department is in charge of teaching the core subjects in natural sciences and engineering. The main subjects taught are: Technical Representation, Machine Elements, Mechanics, CAD, Physics, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Analysis, Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science, Probability Theory, and Statistics.

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BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING The aims of this programme are to familiarise students with the applications of technical sciences insofar as they relate to mechanical engineering tasks and the practical achievements of a selected professional field, and to assist students in developing the skills necessary to put these applications to use. Our graduates will be qualified to find employment with SMEs or big companies involved in manufacturing and assembling, engineering firms engaged in technical development and research, and organisations specialising in technical consultancy.

Zoltán Dankó student in Mechanical Engineering

“Theoretical education prepares us to look at and understand the surrounding world through the eyes of an engineer.

This is completed through pragmatic training and use of the Faculty’s supply of unique and modern machinery.”

“Our goal is to continuously adapt our training to current industry demands. This can be achieved only if our students are provided a most-thorough knowledge and hands-on training from the best possible teaching faculty, and while using the most modern equipment. Thanks to this approach, almost 90 per cent of our students are actively employed by the time of their final examinations.”

János Líska, PhD Associate College Professor, Head of Programme

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN COMPUTER SCIENCE ENGINEERING Our goal is to train computer science engineers who do not only have deep theoretical knowledge but also poses all the practical skills needed by IT professionals.

“Students learn about the structure and operation of computers and computer systems; software development and operation; the design, structure and operation of computer networks; Industry 4.0; modern industrial IT applications, such as the programming of industrial robots, the development of industrial information systems and the application of artificial intelligence; professional mobile and web development, and use of the latest technologies both at the individual and the corporate level.”

Zsolt Csaba Johanyák, PhD Professor, Vice-Dean for Research, Head of Programme

Kristóf Muhi student in Computer Science Engineering

“The knowledge to be obtained in this programme can be readily applied in practice. Besides my academic commitments, I am working on several developments of my own — for example, a Rubik’s Cube application that can assist those who are visually impaired in solving the puzzle.”

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BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN VEHICLE ENGINEERING Our goal is to train vehicle engineers who will be able to solve basic engineering tasks related to the design, manufacturing, systemic operation and repair of roadvehicle systems and mobile machines, taking into consideration aspects of safety, environmental protection, and energy management. It is important for our students to possess an interest in natural sciences, to be diligent, and to have a “team player” attitude, as well as a positive approach to acquiring new knowledge.

Attila Tímári graduate in Vehicle Engineering

“Our graduates are professionals who are much sought after by automotive manufacturers, parts suppliers, public transport companies and fleet operators, where they fulfil middle- and top-level managerial positions in the fields of manufacturing and operation.”

“I always like to think back on my university years, which provided a familial atmosphere and harmonious relationships with the industrial operators. There are many opportunities to take part in projects and gain experience, which gives us a head-start in real life as marketable engineers.”

Pál Lukács, PhD Professor, Honorary Associate Professor, Head of Department, Head of Programme

“A trained logistics engineer can find a job at various points of the supply chain. What is paramount, however, is that future logisticians should be passionate about addressing complex challenges and finding solutions to complex problems.”

Zoltán Lelkes, PhD Professor, Head of Programme

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN LOGISTICS ENGINEERING Our goal is to train engineers who, equipped with professionally relevant knowledge in natural sciences — in addition to technical, economic, management, IT, industrial and transport technologies — will be able to reasonably analyse, organise and manage logistics processes and systems that can ensure reliable material and information flows within and between companies. Graduates can also contribute in the fields of manufacturing and quality assurance of logistics machinery, tools and equipment, and manage their related operations. The programme also offers specialised training in production logistics — training that is unavailable elsewhere in Hungary.

25

Zsaklin Kovács student in Logistics Engineering

“I’m glad to be able to learn this profession here. While the skills are much sought after, the work is extremely versatile, so things will never become dull.”

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT The aim of this programme is to equip professionals with appropriate knowledge in the domains of natural science, technology, business and management science in order to provide integrated solutions for tasks to be tackled within material, IT, financial, and HR processes related to products and services.

Fruzsina Bőthe student in Technical Management

“Our graduates can find jobs within a broad spectrum: with industrial manufacturers or service providers, as well as in the public sector, public administration, public institutions and local municipalities.“

Tibor Ferenczy, PhD Professor, Head of Department, Head of Programme

”I am glad to have chosen this programme. I would heartily recommend it anyone who would like to enter the labour market with an attractive degree.”

HIGHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES INFORMATION ENGINEERING

(SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION)

“Our graduates will be able, among others, to design and set up computer systems, to implement server-side administration in a corporate environment, to install and configure various operating systems, to use basic webprogramming and web-design competencies, and to design, monitor and administrate project tasks.”

Attila Pásztor, PhD

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (DEVELOPMENT)

Our goal is to train professionals who will be able to take part in the design, development, operation and maintenance of hardware and software systems, and to have the cooperative, communicative and presentation skills necessary for team work.

“Through the use of modern technologies, developer software engineering assistants can contribute to the design and development processes of complex software, web applications, mobile applications and database systems.”

Alvarez Gil Rafael Pedro, PhD Professor, Head of Programme

Professor, Head of Programme

István Panyik

student in IT Engineering attending a higher vocational training programme

“Since students attending higher vocational training programmes receive the same quality of training as BSc students, these training programmes develop excellent professionals in as little as two years’ time, thus strengthening the labour market.”

Viktor Széll graduate in Software Engineering having attended a higher vocational training programme

“During my studies I acquired a sound knowledge base that I can build upon.

I met highly knowledgeable teachers and made some new friends.”

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ACADEMIC LIFE

“Our Faculty considers academic research to be a key priority.

The core values of our strategy rest on practice-orientedness, applicability, social responsibility and sustainability, while international relations and cooperation with external partners are also prioritised. Our Faculty hosts up to 11 academic workshops, all of which are active in research and publication.”

Zsolt Csaba Johanyák, PhD Professor, Vice-Dean for Research

AN ACADEMIC WORKSHOP WITH EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENTS AND A STATE-OF-THE-ART LABORATORY “Our Polymer Processing Research Laboratory is focused on injection moulding technology.

Two advanced academic degrees (PhD) have resulted so far from this fundamental research, as well as it is home of a successful start-up business. Furthermore, the instrumentation and research facilities of the laboratory meet the highest international standards.”

Károly Belina, CSc, PhD Full Professor, Head of Research Workshop

“In the robotics laboratory we have several industrial robots equipped with modern, industrial imaging systems and smart grippers that all work together through a handling system.

During a high-level and practice-oriented training, students can first try the programmes they have developed in a virtual environment before field-testing them on the robot.”

VEHICLE BUILDING TEAMS AT THE CUTTING EDGE In May 2018, our university’s Jok-Air Pneumobil team won the International Aventics Pneumobil Competition.

The race, which showcased numerous innovative solutions and provided the viewing public with many an exciting moment, was organised with the participation of 36 teams from 20 universities and nine countries.

“Students founded the university’s ‘KEFO MotoStudent’ racing motorcycle-building team in 2014. In 2016, they entered the Fourth International MotoStudent Competition with a self-designed motorcycle and took several podiums.

They were the first in the world to prepare an aluminium foam and carbon fabric composite motorbike frame. As of 2018, they are now involved in electric racing motorbike development.”

Attila Tímári Team Leader

27

Lóránt Kovács, PhD Professor, Dean, Head of Specialised Group

The GAMF team’s solar panel-driven “MegaLux” car is a top-tier finisher at international competitions. The team won bronze in 2016 at the Sasol Solar Challenge, one of the most prestigious solar panel car races of the world, but had proved its worth already in 2015 by crossing Australia and finishing in seventh place among 46 competing entries.

PARTNERSHIPS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS “Our Faculty has an extensive network of international relations. With the support of the Erasmus and Campus Mundi programmes, our students can choose between 35 foreign universities if they wish to pursue part-time studies abroad. Moreover, we are a founding member of the International TEAM Society and play an active role in organising the association’s annual conference.”

Zsolt Csaba Johanyák, PhD Professor, Vice-Dean for Research,

DUAL TRAINING PROGRAMME 1 “Our company, Phoenix Mecano Kecskemét Kft., has maintained a close cooperation with the GAMF Faculty of John von Neumann University. We joined the dual higher education programmes in 2013, and currently we take part in the practical training of students attending study programmes for information engineering, logistics engineering, mechanical engineering, and business and management. The introduction of the dual training is paramount, as it offers a possible solution in terms of harmonising higher education and the demands of the job market, while enabling young graduates to embark upon a successful career.

“One of the advantages of dual higher education is that students acquire professional experience in the field and, at the same time, get an opportunity to use their theoretical knowledge in a corporate environment. Thanks to this training system, young graduates can enter the world of work immediately. The dual training also allows students to obtain during their

Based on the German example, and in partnership with two leading automotive companies, the GAMF Faculty launched a dual-training programme in 2012 within the vehicle engineering study programme, and has since then used this approach to train its students. The “Kecskemét model” has proved to be exemplary, and the Faculty’s experiences can point to the advantages of introducing this type of training at the national level.

years of study the social skills that industry now requires — namely, leadership skills, communicative skills, project management skills and so on — which otherwise would not be possible in the framework of higher education.”

3 “What I like about the dual training is that I am treated like a colleague at the company, which boosts my self-confidence.

There are plenty of inspiring challenges and opportunities to develop, and I learn about responsibility.”

Zoltán Nagy, PhD

Zsófia Ragány

Honorary Professor

dual student in Logistics Engineering

Managing Director

now training at HILTI Szerszám Kft.

2 “Students attending a dual-training programme begin their career with a huge advantage compared to other young graduates because they already have 3.5 years of professional experience. Dualtraining graduates with this kind of work experience can therefore start work higher up on the corporate ladder and with salaries above those of entry-level employees.”

4 “Being trained at a multinational company like Mercedes-Benz is an enormous opportunity. As a big company, it offers numerous possibilities, which make this training extraordinary.

At Mercedes-Benz I learn to work with a team and to take responsibility for my work. This practical training prepares me for real life in the world of employment.”

Nikoletta Végh

Levente Potz

dual student in Technical

dual student in IT Engineering,

Management, now training

now training at

at STI Petőfi Nyomda Kft.

Mercedes-Benz Hungary Kft.

28

“One of the first significant events of a student’s life here is the Freshers’ Camp, which is a perfect occasion to make friends with fellow students attending the same study programme. At ‘University Days’ everyone can find a favourite among the various programmes. The ‘Specialised Faculty Nights’ provide an opportunity to discuss and share experiences about life at the Faculty. In addition to a high-level education, the Faculty provides for a fun and active life through diverse sports activities.”

Dávid Kele student in Technical Management

LIFE AT THE FACULTY

29

FACULTY OF HORTICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development in Kecskemét has been training future horticulturalists for six decades, while study programmes in rural development and agricultural economics were launched 15 years ago. Thanks to the Faculty’s high standard of practice-oriented and pragmatic training, its graduates are welcomed with open arms in all segments of agriculture.

CONTACT DETAILS FACULTY OF HORTICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT H-6000 Kecskemét, Mészöly Gyula tér 1-3. +36 (76) 517 620, +36 (76) 517 601 kvk@kvk.uni-neumann.hu EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Central Building, Dean’s Office H-6000 Kecskemét, Mészöly Gyula tér 1-3.

VENUES FOR PRACTICAL TRAINING Practice Farmland H-6000, Kecskemét-Kisfái 181.

Study Garden H-6000 Kecskemét, Vacsi köz 2.

Processing Plant H-6000 Kecskemét, Mészöly Gyula tér 1-3.

Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory H-6000 Kecskemét, Mészöly Gyula tér 1-3.

WHY CHOOSE THE FACULTY OF HORTICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT? “Our graduates are engineers who possess both an entrepreneurial spirit and specialised expertise that can be adapted even in the context of a rapidly changing industrial structure. Further-more, they aren’t intimidated by the need to regularly update their knowledge. Thanks to the pragmatic skills acquired at the Faculty, they can create a stable existence for themselves and their families, either as employees or as entrepreneurs, for there is a growing demand for highly qualified professionals who — in addition to their expertise in production — possess adequate knowledge in matters of organisation, marketing, logistics and EU affairs. The Faculty’s master’s programmes endow these new agricultural professionals with skills, competencies and know-ledge that is applicable anywhere in Europe. Graduates may pursue their studies in the framework of doctoral programmes or post-graduate specialist courses as well.

The latter are also open to students with a bachelor’s degree.”

András Palkovics, PhD Associate College Professor, Dean, Head of the Practice Farmland and Study Garden

30

FACULTY LOCATION AND ENVIRONS

T ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE FACULTY

he buildings of the Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development are situated in a comfortable residential suburb of Kecskemét, close to the city centre. The facilities are only a five-minute walk from the train station and coach terminal, and the bus departing from the city centre lets students off at the Faculty “doorstep”.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE Department faculty members participate in all of the study programmes available at the Faculty, while also conducting extensive research in the Environmental Science and Analytical Workshop.

The Department takes part in the Faculty’s service activities (Practice Farmland, Laboratory), and has implemented numerous successful projects through awarded tenders.

“The Department takes an active role in teaching both core and specialised subjects. My colleagues are engaged in complex academic endeavours and have extensive professional relations. Our services contribute to the pragmatic training that the Faculty offers, and also enhance its reputation. ”

Attila Hüvely, PhD Associate College Professor, Head of Department

“Members of the Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development teach courses in economics, rural development, and work organisation in all of the available study programmes. Seventy-five per cent of the instructors at our Department have an academic degree, while 25 per cent possess a post-doctoral degree (habilitation). The main research interests among our faculty members are: work organisation and economic analysis of agricultural sectors, working conditions and livelihoods of young Hungarian farmers, economic and marketing analysis of ‘Hungaricums’, and short supply-chain operations in Hungary.”

Árpád Ferencz, PhD Professor, Head of Department

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE “The faculty members of the Department of Horticulture primarily assure the teaching of productionrelated subjects (Growing of Ornamentals, Production of Vegetables, Production of Fruit, Viticulture); and in addition to teaching, they also take part in the research projects of the Horticultural Workshop. Forty-five per cent of the instructors at our Department have an academic degree, 45 per cent are doctoral students, and 10 per cent are habilitated doctors.”

Zsuzsa Turi-Farkas, PhD Professor, Head of Department

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ORGANISATIONAL UNITS

PRACTICE FARMLAND AND STUDY GARDEN

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he 270-hectare Practice Farmland located in Kecskemét-Kisfái serves as the educational base and venue for high-level, practice-oriented training of students attending the Faculty seeking to learn the basic tasks of production.

Through taking part in Faculty-led R&D activities, students can apply their newly acquired knowledge to modernise production, and are able to provide professional consultancy for market actors in the agricultural sector. The Faculty provides a versatile range of practical education: studies of crop production, production of vegetables, viticulture, and the production of fruit are embraced in equal measure.

Newly planted crop-lands, vineyards and orchards of the Faculty’s Study Garden are ideal sites for field trials and the observation of plant varieties.

Such improvements support the modernisation of technologies. In the Study Garden, students attend trainings related to the growing of vegetables, fruit, grapevines and ornamentals, thus familiarising themselves with the operations of growing equipment and the problematics of storage.

“As our students learn about the various growing technologies, they will be able to select the tools and machinery most suitable for a given growing technology.

They will also become familiar with the individual plant subspecies that are exploited in agricultural production.

On their own family-run farms, students can put to good use the practical knowledge they acquire during their courses on the Practice Farmland. As professionals, they will be able to successfully accomplish, supervise or have others carry out the individual agricultural and horticultural work processes.”

András Palkovics, PhD Associate College Professor, Dean, Head of Practice Farmland and Study Garden

SOIL AND PLANT TESTING LABORATORY

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he Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory carries out regular soil, plant, irrigation water and cereal testing for thousands of customers, in addition to providing counselling and advice to farmers.

In recent years, the Laboratory’s scope of activities has widened to include the implementation of an Environmental Protection, Food Ingredient, and Microbiological Laboratory, which has bolstered the success of practical training.

Also, a tender-funded PCR laboratory was created in 2017.

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STUDY PROGRAMMES

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN HORTICULTURAL ENGINEERING

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his is one of the Faculty’s longest-standing study programmes, and one that has evolved continuously over the decades as scientific knowledge is accumulated and environment-friendly technologies are gaining ground.

The main aims of the programme are: to train professionals who will be able to plan, supervise and organise industrialscale production processes; to manage tasks related to the preparation, distribution and storage of products; to undertake specialised managerial core tasks in the horticultural domain; and to set up independent horticultural farms and operate them efficiently. This bachelor’s programme is recommended to those who would like to participate in activities through which they can learn how the tastiest and most beautiful fruits and vegetables are grown, and how vineyard grapes are cultivated to produce fine wines. The Faculty especially welcomes those who are intrigued by the possibilities to better market Hungary’s top-quality horticultural products.

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

“My parents have worked in crop production for 30 years now, and a few years ago I also joined them actively in their efforts. Although fodder-growing is basically the same today as it was in the past, it is continuously changing with the development of technology.

I hope that the knowledge I will have acquired at the university will enable me to manage my farm just as efficiently as my parents do.”

Sándor Tajti BSc student in Agricultural Engineering

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his study programme educates agricultural engineers who will obtain high-level core knowledge in agriculture-related areas, as well as relevant practice. Moreover, in possession of their high-level skills and competencies in the domains of natural sciences, specialised technology and economics, they will be able to produce value in the field of production and management on either an industrial scale or in their own business. Our graduates in agricultural engineering are prepared to undertake tasks related to production, distribution, organisation, and control and management, and can fulfil various positions as designerdeveloper engineers, researchers or managers.

This programme is recommended to those who wish to deepen their knowledge in the realms of natural sciences and agriculture, and have an affinity for agricultural production, farming, animal husbandry, and rural life as such, as well as to those who are interested in the ways of organic farming and in how to achieve sustainable and environment-friendly agricultural production.

STUDY PROGRAMMES

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

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“I recommend this study programme especially to those who are intrigued by how we might safeguard together the beauty of the countryside and the fruits of farmers’ efforts.”

Ferenc Tóth 2018 graduate in Economic and Rural Development and Agricultural Engineering

he aim of this study programme is to train ruraldevelopment agricultural engineers who can undertake complex organisational, managerial, administrative, and logistics- and production-related tasks in the domain of production, services, and consultancy. Through the knowledge acquired, they can provide professional expertise in line with labour market demands. Graduates will have the specialised knowledge necessary to interpret rural development in accordance with EU standards, and to design and execute rural development programmes.

The bachelor’s programme in rural development and agricultural engineering is recommended to those for whom the emergence of rural areas is a priority, who wish to acquire diverse, state-of-the-art and pragmatic knowledge, and would also like to learn how to write successful tenders and business plans.

MASTER’S PROGRAMME IN HORTICULTURAL ENGINEERING

T “My parents, siblings and I have all pursued our studies of Horticultural Engineering at either this Faculty or its legal predecessor. The excellent training and our network of relations established here have always allowed us to fare well in each and every segment of the profession. If you long to be part of a cohesive professional community, the study programme in horticultural engineering provided in Kecskemét comes absolutely recommended.”

Nóra Marosi MSc student in Horticultural Engineering

he aim of this study programme is to train certified horticulturalists who are familiar with and can readily apply the latest achievements of science and horticultural practice, and who are well-versed in those core sciences and social sciences which are indispensible for this profession. A further educational objective of this master’s programme is to equip graduates within this specialised professional field with knowledge that is generally applicable anywhere in Europe.

This study programme is recommended especially to those who aspire to apply progressive practical methods and solutions in the domain of horticultural engineering, to fulfil managerial positions, or to solve independent R&D and innovative assignments. It is also a good choice for those who would like to apply their complex, interdisciplinary expertise in horticultural crops — both in a Hungarian and in an EU context — and who are interested in R&D programmes, as well as in the elaboration and management of projects.

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MASTER’S PROGRAMME IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

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he aim of this study programme is to train professionals who will supervise production, distribution, and regulation processes, in addition to any related organisational and management processes. Those who complete the programme will have a comprehensive understanding of European and Hungarian rural and regional development functions, the role of agriculture in the development and preservation of the countryside, as well as causal understanding of related specificities. Programme graduates can advance to careers as designer-developer engineers, researchers or managers.

This study programme is recommended to those who would like to learn more about the impacts of corporate, institutional, and community projects on the countryside, and about basic principles of sustainable management and technical and technological development.

“I began farming on 4,000 square metres in autumn 2014. Now I have five hectares of vineyard, four buildings for tourist catering, and my own smallscale winery. I am in charge of growing, production and marketing, as well as sales. My farm has been developing more and more dynamically.

The fact that I have been able to make my dream come true and that I can do what I’m passionate about can be largely put down to the Faculty, my teachers, and the practice-oriented educational regime.”

Gábor Barcza Certified Rural Development Agricultural Engineer

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PRACTICAL COURSES AND EXPERIMENTS “Currently I’m working on our family-owned farm. The success of my work can be largely put down to the fact that instructors at the Faculty do their utmost not only to transfer theoretical knowledge, but also to complete that knowledge with practical courses and farm visits. During my years of study, I conducted an experiment for which I received both financial and professional support from the institute. My thesis supervisor, Ildikó Király, PhD, helped and supported me all along. Two academic articles and a paper were born from this endeavour. The paper won first prize at the Scientific Student Conference of the Faculty, and has been promoted for consideration at the 2019 national student conference.”

László Károly 2018 BSc graduate in Horticultural Engineering

“László Károly prepared his SSC paper and thesis work under my supervision. He demonstrated sophisticated research competencies in the design and execution of his experiments.

He carried out the experiments on his own, and enriched the examinations with numerous original ideas in the implementation phase. He thoroughly reviewed and synthesised the relevant literature in the process of drafting his paper, offering an independent analysis of the findings in accordance with the requirements.”

Ildikó Király, PhD Associate Collage Professor, thesis supervisor

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DUAL TRAINING: EVEN MORE PRACTICE DélKerTÉSZ (Agricultural Cooperative of Horticulturalists of the Southern Great Plain for the Growth and Sales of Fruit and Vegetables) was among the first to join the horticultural engineering bachelor’s programme when the Faculty launched its dual-training approach in 2015. This practice-oriented training supplements the traditional BSc in enabling students to acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge. At the cooperative, they can familiarise themselves with the technologies of hothouse cultivation and seedling nursery, and also learn about integrated plant-protection techniques.

The cooperative has had a history of success in the production of fruit and vegetables in the region since its establishment in 2002.

“I began my training with DélKerTÉSZ in December 2015. At that time, I was just getting acquainted with the company, spending short periods of time at various places — the greenhouse, soil laboratory, accounting, sales, logistics — just familiarising myself with the overall system. In the summer, however, I worked in the packaging facility for a longer time in order to learn production management. Although there are intervals between the training periods, students can still develop quite easily on the basis of their previously acquired knowledge.

“My studies have paid off! In this year’s summer season I was supervising production processes on my own. During my training I also had an opportunity to go on a professional study tour in Belgium and to attend Fruit Logistica in Berlin, while in Hungary I participated in both the Farmer Expo and ‘Paprika Day’ where I assisted with marketing activities. The company also helped me to carry out my SSC experiment, and my paper written on the subject was promoted by the Faculty. During my experiment, it was very helpful that, with a professional counsellor, I could visit farmers from whom I collected observations and feedback, while at the same time I could draw on my work experience gained at the packaging facility.”

Dorottya Monostori 2018 BSc graduate in Horticultural Engineering training at DélKerTÉSZ in Szentes, Hungary

ADVANTAGES OF THE DUAL TRAINING:

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SCIENTIFIC STUDENT CONFERENCE (SSC), THESIS TOPICS, FIELD TRIALS

PARTICIPATION IN EXHIBITIONS

SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (COMMUNICATION, SELF-CONFIDENCE ETC.)

INDUSTRY NETWORKING

FACULTY OF ECONOMY We all have a desire to explore the unknown ― a desire manifesting itself as simple curiosity, a serious interest, or a resolute ambition to learn: the Faculty of Economy welcomes those who are motivated by the latter. Our BSc and MSc programmes, as well as our higher vocational training programmes, enable students to obtain a degree that will equip them with marketable and practice-oriented knowledge in business.

Szolnok, Hungary’s most liveable city, offers the magnificent natural environment of Tiszaliget, modern infrastructure, and a community of students and faculty where people know and care for each other.

WHY CHOOSE THE FACULTY OF ECONOMY?

Our mission is to prepare our students for a successful business career. We have the training expertise, accumulated over 25 years, to provide our students with skills and competencies that will make them resourceful, open-minded and highly soughtafter in the professional world. Our programmes are strongly practice-oriented, student-centred and family-like. As learning takes place in small groups, students can receive personal tutoring and close professional guidance. Students learn to apply their theoretical knowledge through case studies and practical trainings. In addition, Faculty partnerships with several companies provide traineeship opportunities for our students, and not only in the semester dedicated to work placement.

We also place a major emphasis on developing problem-solving, presentational and debating skills, which more and more employers now require. Students in their final year are often invited on board by businesses during the last semester of their traineeship or, in many cases, even before.

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FACULTY LOCATION AND ENVIRONS

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he Faculty of Economy operates in a modern building in one of the most beautiful parts of the city, near the banks of the Tisza River and close to numerous sports facilities (Water Polo Arena, City Sports Hall, Szolnok Sports Centre, Tiszaliget Sports Facilities). Nearly 800 students currently study at the Faculty.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE FACULTY

THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, MARKETING AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS conducts Bachelor’s Programmes and higher vocational training programmes in Commerce, Marketing and International Business Administration, and also runs a Master’s Programme in Business Development.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT offers programmes in Finance and Accounting.

THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND CATERING conducts higher vocational training programmes and Bachelor’s Programmes in the domains of Tourism and Catering.

CONTACT DETAILS

FACULTY OF ECONOMY H-5000 Szolnok, Tiszaligeti sétány 14. +36 (56) 510 300 gk@gk.uni-neumann.hu http://gk.uni-neumann.hu 39

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN COMMERCE AND MARKETING

The aim of this study programme is to equip students with economic and business expertise, as well as commercial and marketing skills and knowledge, to succeed as professionals.

Our graduates will be able to procure and sell various demand-oriented products and services, and to organise and manage the commercial activities of small and medium-sized companies.

“I obtained my degree at Szolnok College as an adult through a correspondence course. We were taught by professionals who were able to transfer theoretical knowledge in such a way that even those who were not working in the field received valuable guidance. Personally, what impressed me most at this school was its open and friendly atmosphere. I work at COOP Szolnok Zrt., and many trainees come to us whose work I have to coordinate.

I’m happy to receive them because they come from the Faculty of Economy with excellent theoretical foundations.

After a few weeks of getting acquainted with the company, you can delegate any kind of professional task to them.”

Ágnes Sugárné Takács graduate, marketing manager

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BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN TOURISM AND CATERING

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Students participating in this study programme will learn to set up and operate the financial infrastructure of businesses, financial and fiscal institutions, and to plan, supervise and operate economic activities. They can work in banks, other financial institutions, public bodies, or in the financial departments of any company. Our students can also opt to specialise in Banking or Controlling.

The aim of this programme is to equip students with the ability to carry out, organise, and manage activities in the domains of tourism and catering as economic specialists. Also trained to master foreign languages, our graduates will be able to work for travel agencies or hotels, or even open their own restaurants. Available specialisations: Health Tourism, Hotel Management, Catering Management.

The aim of this programme is to produce professionals who will have detailed practical knowledge about external economies of scale (including expertise in logistics), and who can organise and manage the economic activities of companies in a multi-national environment, initiate and execute international transactions, and perform well and feel comfortable in an international and multicultural environment.

OUR BSc PROGRAMMES IN COMMERCE AND MARKETING, IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, AND IN TOURISM AND CATERING ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH.

“My passion for foreign languages, my communication skills and negotiation techniques, and my desire to learn about the international environment and foreign companies and their processes, not to mention my commitment to continuous personal development ― I owe all of that to my alma mater and the productive years I spent there.

I now work for the Hungarian subsidiary of a multinational automotive group, where new opportunities open up before me continuously, also at the international level.”

Mariann Bettina Zsutai graduate, logistics developer

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MASTER’S PROGRAMME IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT This study programme provides students with modern and marketable expertise in the domains of strategic approach, national and international analysis, and business development and innovation.

Drawing on the knowledge acquired in the Bachelor’s Programme, the curriculum offers a comprehensive approach and offers insight into micro- and macro-level connections between business processes.

Students obtaining this degree can fulfil middle and top managerial positions at Hungarian, international and multinational companies, or can continue to pursue their studies in a doctoral programme.

Our graduates will have the competencies to identify the complex connections and interactions of corporate management, to assess factors affecting future profitability according to their importance, and to apply the methods necessary to assess standards of business administration in a differentiated way. They will also have the skills to deal confidently with the main issues of business administration (even when lacking sufficient information), to demonstrate creativity in applying business development strategies, to make professional and informed decisions, and to use business communication and negotiation techniques in a proactive and efficient manner.

THE RELEVANT COURSES OF THE HIGHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES ARE ALSO RECOGNISED WITHIN THE RELATED BSc DEGREES.

HIGHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME IN COMMERCE AND MARKETING The aim of this training programme is to develop economic professionals who will be able to perform general business management and administration tasks and prepare decisions.

Graduates will have the skills to work as small-business managers in the domains of goods trading and marketing, or to work alongside middle- or top-level managers at bigger companies as commercial or marketing desk officers or assistants.

Students can choose from three specialisations: Commerce, Marketing Communication, and Logistics.

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HIGHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME IN FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING “Finance and accounting� is the broadest economic area within the corporate, financial service-provider and public-finance sectors, and the aim of this programme is to develop economic professionals who, in possession of their theoretical and practical knowledge, will be able to tackle tasks at organisations operating in these domains. Graduates in Finance and Accounting will have the practical know-how, skills and competences to succeed at the professional level, and will be able to adapt flexibly to labour-market demands.

Students can choose from three specialisations: Financial Institutions, Enterprises, and Public Finances. Students completing this training can choose between various career opportunities: they can work as assistants in the domain of finance and accounting for SMEs, financial institutions, and public bodies.

HIGHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME IN TOURISM AND CATERING The aim of this programme is to develop economic professionals who can speak foreign languages and will be able to use their theoretical and practical knowledge in their work for businesses involved in tourism and catering. Graduates will have the ability to identify and understand customer demands, to provide and further develop high-quality services, and to cooperate in organisational tasks. They will also be able to found, manage, and operate micro- and small enterprises operating in this sector, to direct certain departments of medium-sized and big companies, and to handle tasks as desk officers or assistants facilitating the work of senior leadership.

Students can choose between two specialisations: Tourism, and Catering (the latter is only available as a full-time programme).

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LIFE AT THE FACULTY GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS Szolnok, a city with county rights, awards study grants to support full-time students, with a special focus on local residents from Szolnok and the surrounding micro-region, while the Foundation for Modern Commerce aids especially talented students coming from a socially disadvantaged background, as well as those who pursue scholarly activities within the Scientific Students’ Association (SSC).

Students may also apply for scholarships from the Pallas Athéné Domus Mentis Foundation and the New National Excellence Programme, as well as for National Higher Education Scholarships and Erasmus+ scholarships.

DUAL TRAININGS The dual-training system in Szolnok represents an exceptional opportunity for students to embark on a professional career from the age of 18. The core idea of this type of training is to allow companies to join in the education process in order to ensure the supply of professionals, and they supplement the theoretical education with high-level, up-to-date and continuous practice opportunities.

Already from the beginning of their studies, dual students are full-time students of the Faculty while simultaneously being employed by a partner company through the student’s employment contract. Over seven semesters of training, students are to complete both their academic obligations required for their degree and the training programme of the given company.

THE DORMITORY “Student Dormitory”, the housing facility of the Faculty of Economy of John von Neumann University, welcomes students in a beautiful natural environment situated on the banks of the Tisza River. Thanks to a recently opened pedestrian bridge, the dormitory is now at arm’s reach from the University Campus. The facility provides two-bedroom accommodations for more than 250 students, as well as other amenities to meet every student's needs.

Dormitory services include:

SPORTS The city of Szolnok has much to be proud of in the field of sports. Its water polo and basketball teams have both excelled in the international arena, and their matches are played “next door” to our campus. In fact, many of our alumni play on these teams and return to their alma mater to share their experiences.

The Tisza River and Szolnok's local traditions offer wide-ranging opportunities to practice water sports for elite athletes and casual participants alike. The Water Polo Arena is home not only to the worldclass water polo team, but local residents can also go there for a swim. There are opportunities for rowing, basketball and football, as well as many other sports.

The city has numerous gyms, but collective gym classes are also offered at school gyms throughout the city, as well as at the AbaNovák Agóra Cultural Centre.

• 24-hour reception • Rooms with a bathroom, refrigerator and other modern furnishings • Well-equipped kitchens and a dining hall • Laundry room with washing machines and tumble dryers • Community leisure facilities: table tennis, billiard tables, darts etc.

• Bicycle lockers and a car-park with a barrier system

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CULTURAL LIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT Szolnok is a small, friendly town with a lovely city centre and beautiful panorama of the Tisza River. It has a buzzing cultural life with many recreational opportunities.

The municipal theatre and Artists’ Colony offer good-quality highbrow entertainment, while Szolnok's clubs, restaurants, bars and pizzerias provide a more gregarious atmosphere.

UNIVERSITY EVENTS The traditional “Freshers’ Camp” and “Freshers’ Ball”, organised for first-year students, are extraordinary highlights of the academic year. The “Students’ Days” (formerly called “SZOFI Days”) attract a multitude of visitors each year, while the equally popular “Graduates’ Ball” is organised for and by our finalyear students. Besides the above, staff and faculty members arrange guided excursions to local points of professional interest, while “Researchers’ Night” (which attracts numerous interested outsiders), wine-tasting and rafting trips, and skiing trips are also quite popular. A recently launched event is the “Game of Thrones” championship, where not only university students, but primary- and secondaryschool students as well, can enter the ring and compete for valuable prizes.

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TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY Our mission is to educate teachers so that they are thoroughly trained and prepared for their profession and have a good understanding of different teaching methodologies.

Our core values include humanism, community development, the preservation of traditions, an advanced cultivation of sciences and arts, and professional commitment.

WHY CHOOSE THE TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY? “Teacher training in Kecskemét prides itself on a centuryold tradition. Our educational portfolio reflects one of the most important phases of human life, lasting from infancy to young adulthood. Our students can benefit from top-quality, practice-oriented training — one of the best programmes in the country — and a degree taken here offers access to a wide range of employment opportunities. Our graduates have an opportunity to demonstrate their organisational, problemsolving, and communicative skills in many ways. During their studies, our students become acquainted with various academic fields and artistic branches. Surrounded each day by the love and enthusiasm of the children they work with, teachers can accompany these young students along the road of learning and pass on the best of their knowledge to them, thus shaping future generations. ”

Tamás Fülöp, PhD Professor, Dean

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FACULTY LOCATION AND ENVIRONS ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE FACULTY

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he impressive building complex that hosts the Teacher Training Faculty is situated in the centre of the dynamically developing town of Kecskemét, and is easily accessible by car and public transport. Our practice teaching facilities: Petőfi Sándor Practice Primary School and Kindergarten (affiliated with John von Neumann University).

DEPARTMENT OF BASIC STUDIES AND TEACHING METHODOLOGY “The Department’s faculty teach foundation courses in psychology and pedagogy, as well as related subjects in methodology and social sciences.

Faculty members also carry out research in these disciplines.”

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND FURTHER EDUCATION “We provide courses in foreign-language teaching methodology for students in all faculties, as well as specialised language courses. Moreover, our Department organises further education for graduate teachers and serves as a venue for various language exams.”

Róbert Rigó, PhD

Éva Ujlakyné Szűcs, PhD

Associate College Professor,

Professor, Head of Department

Acting Head of Department

DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND MOTHER TONGUE EDUCATION “The three professional teams of the Department conduct academic research and artistic production in the following fields: mothertongue instruction, visual arts, and music. The art courses offered in English are especially attractive.”

Attila Smuta, DLA

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS AT THE UNIVERSITY “The provision of sporting opportunities for university students is of paramount importance: on the one hand, students must attend physical education courses prescribed by the curriculum, and on the other, trainings, sports days, and national championships are organised in order to meet their additional recreational demands.”

Professor, Head of Department

Zoltán Szatmáry, PhD Research Fellow, Acting Head of the Sports Centre

RESEARCH GROUPS

Various research groups operating at the Faculty bolster academic life. The eight research groups operating at the Faculty cover themes related to early childhood education, teaching careers, and community organisation. Their research findings are utilised in the course of the training, thus students are continuously informed about the latest professional achievements.

CONTACT DETAILS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS CENTRE Our aim is to provide future teachers with an education that allows them to develop the character of their pupils through physical education in the first four years of primary school. The Physical Education and Sports Centre operating at our Faculty also supports and advances this objective.

PRACTICE TEACHING FACILITIES:

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Petőfi Sándor Practice Primary School and Kindergarten H-6000 Kecskemét, Mészöly Gyula tér 1-3. +36 (76) 517 628 (school) | +36 (76) 501 794 (kindergarten) petofi@pk.uni-neumann.hu gyakorlo.uni-neumann.hu

TEACHER TRAINING FACILITY H-6000 Kecskemét, Kaszap u. 6-14. +36 (76) 501 770 pk@pk.uni-neumann.hu pk.uni-neumann.hu

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

“The aim of this study programme is to train educational professionals who will be able to apply appropriate developmental and educational methods in the care and development of infants and children in need of care from birth up to three (or a maximum of five) years of age.

In possessing a complex range of care, pedagogical, psychological, and health competencies, graduates will enhance the healthy development of bodily, emotional, relational, speech, and intellectual skills within the given age group. The taught socialisation of these skills lends added support to the educational efforts of families raising small children. Graduates will be able to carry out care-related, educational, intermediary, representational and counselling tasks as well.”

Judit Neszt, PhD Assistant Professor, Head of Programme

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION “Thanks to its thorough and integrated approach, the six-semester training of the bachelor’s programme in kindergarten education provides students with readily applicable knowledge in the field. During training, students will become acquainted with the specificities of the personal development of children aged 3-7, while also studying the theory and practice of children’s education and development. Moreover, our students can master the methodological techniques of linguistic, musical, environmental, motor, and visual education — as well as games — for kindergarten children.”

Veronika Szinger, PhD Associate College Professor, Head of Programme

“A degree-holder in kindergarten education can find a job immediately, and our degrees are recognised and welcomed everywhere, even internationally.

Or you can continue to pursue your studies, especially in the domains of educational science and psychology.”

Klára Bernadett Szabó graduate in Kindergarten Education

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BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN PRIMARY EDUCATION “The aim of this study programme is to train educational professionals who can undertake — on the basis of their knowledge acquired —the educational tasks for all content areas in grades 1–4, and for at least one content area in grades 1–6.

Students in the programme will learn about the psychological specificities of the development of small children and children aged 6–12, in addition to teaching and education theory. Our students will possess advanced communication skills, appropriate self-awareness, and an above-average sense of responsibility. Our graduates will be able to convey an environmentally conscious attitude, will possess a developed sensitivity to social problems and a tolerance for diversity, and are encouraged to set an example by leading a health-conscious lifestyle.”

Norberta Sági, PhD Associate College Professor, Vice-Dean, Head of Programme

“Students can always count on the support of their mentor teachers at the practice institutions, while the children surround teacher trainees with sufficient patience and empathy to facilitate their work.”

Máté Kállai student in Primary Education “If you want to become a teacher, patience and a love for children are indispensable virtues. Naturally, the Faculty provides a framework for students to acquire the necessary professional expertise, but you also need perseverance and determination, as well as an unwavering faith that your studies are worth the effort.”

Margit Kovács student in Primary Education

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

This bachelor’s degree is a new and much-needed study programme in the domains of culture, general education, youth affairs, and adult education. The programme is especially recommended to those who are interested in facilitating the growth of community organisation and development, event organisation, cultural activities, youth communities and programmes, youth work, and training opportunities. It is ideal for those who enjoy working with people in a dynamic environment, have good communication skills, and are open to cooperating with others. Community organisation specialists perform tasks directly related to planning, organisation, assessment, management, children’s entertainment, and coordination in the domains of general education, youth work, and human development.

They can work within settlements, institutions, organisations, and communities, as well as in the different venues of general education, youth services, and adult education.

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LIFE AT THE FACULTY

WHY CHOOSE THE TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY? “The Teacher Training Faculty of John von Neumann University is a prime choice! In addition to the high-level theoretical training, our practices are also top-quality. In the practice school affiliated with the University, we can acquire the most important methodological know-how of our profession from kind and affectionate teachers in a calm and inspirational environment. Assistance and attention are the biggest virtues of our mentor teachers. The message communicated by all is that being a kindergarten teacher or a primary school teacher is a ‘vocation’, and it is only with the heart and diligence that you can teach and educate children properly.”

Dóra Horváth student in Kindergarten Education

WHY IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY IN KECSKEMÉT? “Here, all types of personalities can find a leisure activity most suited to them. Whether you’re a folk dancer or involved in any other type of cultural activity, I’m sure the University or the town of Kecskemét will allow you to trade boredom for good-quality activity.”

FUTURE PLANS WITH A DEGREE IN HAND “The future is unknown but one thing is certain: after my four years at university, I have managed to find a job as a primary school teacher, and I’m going to be the home-room teacher for 18 wonderful children.

Folk dancing has been cardinal in my life, and because I’d now like to pass my knowledge on to the children, my next ambition is to obtain a degree as a folk-dance teacher.”

Bence Szárszó graduate and primary school teacher

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WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF OUR PRACTICE FACILITIES?

“The practice facilities of the Teacher Training Faculty at John von Neumann University are the best that any kindergarten education student can dream of! The expertise, personality and helpfulness of the mentoring kindergarten teachers guarantee the foundations that will enable students to prepare for all the joys and hardships of their profession, and to deal with these vicissitudes in a confident and highly professional manner. The mentor teachers do their utmost, both from the professional and the human side, to help teacher trainees become self-possessed kindergarten teachers committed to their work. They look after our psychological well-being as well as our studies. During the traineeship they introduce all sorts of pedagogical principles so that later we would be able to decide on our own which ones to use in our career. Students can see for themselves what differences there are between the behaviours of children coming from disadvantaged and average backgrounds, and how they should be handled accordingly. The traineeship is also an occasion for many students to engage with autistic children or other children with developmental challenges, and to see how they can grow individually. Our students can also learn these approaches at the practice facilities.”

Dóra Horváth student in Kindergarten Education

PRACTICE-ORIENTED TRAINING “Compared to training programmes with a similar profile, our Faculty offers the highest proportion of practical training. We have a Practice School and Kindergarten — closely cooperating with the theoretical part of the training and supplementing it — to enhance the best possible preparation, and to provide individual and collective practice opportunities. Within these facilities, teacher trainees have the opportunity to work with highly qualified primary school teachers and kindergarten teachers who possess vast experience and, more often than not, special expertise and degrees. In addition to grounding their professional expertise, students can also try modern, innovative methods, while also participating in research and methodological projects. Several of our graduates have returned and joined us to teach theory or practice.”

Judit Kántor Master Teacher, Instructor

“The Teacher Training Faculty has successfully maintained a decades-long relationship with the Erasmus Programme and its several partner institutions — from Spain to Finland, and from Ireland to Austria. Foreign students attending our Faculty can choose — in addition to the Kodály module and the Common Mention — from several interesting specialised courses.

Besides these courses, foreign students can take part in various professional and leisure activities, both in Hungary and in its neighbouring countries.”

Tamás Csontos, PhD Assistant Lecturer

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INTERNATIONALITY AT THE FACULTY

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

T

he Department of Foreign Languages and Further Education offers courses in foreign languages for students from all of the Faculties of John von Neumann University. “Foreign Language for Special Purposes” is a two-semester course whose objective is to teach students the basic vocabulary of their profession and to enable them to communicate basic educational concepts in the target language. In the first semester, students read about and discuss general topics related to professional language use, while second-semester students are trained to tackle unique problems, both orally and in writing.

The Department has also launched “language exam preparatory courses” for students from all Faculties. These courses are especially recommended to those students who have not yet obtained the language-exam certificate required for receiving their degree.

They can choose between courses preparing them for the oral and written sections of the exam in English, German, or French.

At the Teacher Training Faculty, the Department also accommodates specialised courses within the “Foreign Language Content Area”, both in English and in German. Students who elect to take the English or German content area will learn over four semesters how children aged 6-12 acquire foreign languages, and what methods should be applied in their teaching. Training in this content area is completed by practice teaching, which can be accomplished in lower primary school, or in grades 5 and 6. During the language classes taught in the primary school, students can put their theoretical knowledge to the test, and can gain first-hand experience in primary-school language education.

Training in this content area closes with a comprehensive exam that involves an assessment of the students’ linguistic level, a synthesis of their theoretical and practical experience, and the presentation of a small-scale classroom research project.

The degree to be obtained in this content area is equivalent to a complex advancedlevel language exam (Level C1).

The Department also serves as a language-exam centre for two general (BME and ECL) and three technical (BGE, The Green Way and LCCI) language-exam regimes. We also offer courses and consultations for these language exams, as well as placement tests.

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F

urthermore, the Department of Foreign Languages and Further Education organises accredited “further training courses� for graduate teachers. These trainings include four-semester programmes on preparing for a certification exam, two-semester postgraduate specialised programmes, and other courses focusing on special pedagogical issues. Graduate teachers also have the possibility to add another content area to their degree through correspondence courses.

Among our programmes that help teachers prepare for their certification exams, trainings held in Language and Speech Development, Developmental Pedagogy, Differentiating Pedagogy, and Drama Pedagogy are the most popular. Our trainings in Ethnography and Ethnology, Puppet Pedagogy, and Museum Pedagogy have been launched recently, and teachers can also take a certification exam in these subjects.

Two-semester trainings in Chess Pedagogy and dual-language (English or German) babysitter trainings are also on offer.

Our 30–60-class post-graduate specialised courses focus on current trends and issues within the fields of pedagogy and primary-school education. Our trainings also cover additional domains, such as non-formal learning, conflict management, personality development through art, promotion of successful teaching and learning, leisure-time organisation, and others.

Our trainings are practice-oriented and are based on in-school experience. They provide teachers with an opportunity for professional replenishment and reinvigoration on the basis of modern theoretical knowledge, and through the analysis of best practices that help with day-to-day work. Our trainings are held at the weekends (Friday afternoon and/or Saturday morning), so they are easily accessible for teachers in active employment as well.

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FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS In an accelerating world where knowledge becomes quickly outdated, the Faculty of Economics and Business of John von Neumann University transfers knowledge through application: students will acquire professional expertise that is not simply up-to-date, but one step ahead of the times.

John von Neumann University hosts the Faculty of Economics and Business in Kecskemét, a dynamically developing city with a strong corporate environment. The Faculty, located on a beautiful, state-of-the-art campus currently under construction, boasts an outstanding scholarship programme and an experienced teaching staff.

WHY CHOOSE THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS? “There is no such thing as a ‘great degree’: what you need instead is a ‘great training’. Take a bouquet of excellent instructors, a pinch of community life, an inspiring university campus, and modern facilities. Based on the above, the product offered by the Faculty of Economics and Business is certainly a great one. Choosing a ‘great product’ from the educational market will provide you with ample flexibility in terms of career planning; great training is professional, well-organised and student-friendly.”

Kinga Pázmándi, PhD Associate Professor, Dean

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CONTACT DETAILS FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS H-6000 Kecskemét, Izsáki út 10.

H-6001 Kecskemét, Pf. 91. +36 (76) 516 328 gtk@uni-neumann.hu

FACULTY LOCATION AND ENVIRONS Positive changes made to our study programmes in Economics and Business in Kecskemét have brought new momentum. Students will find the Faculty environment welcoming and stimulating, and can swiftly become part of a new success story.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE FACULTY

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS LAW

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

“We are active both as instructors and researchers, and we are keen to pursue continuous development ourselves. We look for challenges in the arena of business and economic life, and through our expertise we seek to promote the success of the business and engineering sectors as experts, counsellors, or business trainers.”

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“We are proud to say that the training courses in law and economics we offer to our students are always based on the latest knowledge. While the requirements to be met are clearly defined and reasonable, our programmes equip students with useful know-how in the long run.”

Tamás Pál, PhD Assistant Professor, Head of Department

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING “Besides theoretical subjects, our Department transfers directly applicable knowledge, which reinforces the practice-orientedness of our programmes. Our teaching methods derive from a simple motto: A theory is worthless if it can’t be used to solve practical problems.”

János Tanács, PhD

Éva Deliné Pálinkó, PhD

Associate Professor, Head of Department

Associate Professor, Head of Department

“Degree-holders in Finance and Accounting are among the most sought-after professionals on the world labour market. Statistics also confirm that those completing a bachelor program in Finance and accounting are among the quickest to find a job after graduation. Numerous areas of this professional field (e.g. state finance, banking, invest ments, corporate finance, taxation, financial auditing, accounting, controlling) offer excellent development opportunities and above-average salaries to graduates in nearly all branches and sectors of the economy. In addition to their fine academic backgrounds, the instructors of our Faculty are all acclaimed, practising professionals. Besides providing students with professional knowledge, the study programme also seeks to improve students’ analytical, leadership, organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.”

László Szívós, PhD Assistant Professor, Vice-Dean

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING The aim of this programme is to develop professionals who are equipped with specialised expertise in finance and accounting, so it is especially recommended to those who wish to obtain field-related knowledge that is immediately applicable and marketable.

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT The Bachelor’s Programme in Technical Management is described in the Director of Studies section (p. 26).

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BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

“Degrees obtained in the BSc programme in International Business Administration at John von Neumann University should be regarded as a ‘golden key’ to the world of international business. Such a degree will open doors to managerial and leadership positions of social and financial importance at leading companies around the world — a fact that seems easier to grasp in a city like Kecskemét, whose dynamic development in recent years has been closely linked to the growing presence of internationally successful businesses.”

This programme acquaints students with international economic and market trends, the functioning of the European Union, globalisation’s effects on economic policy and culture, and the operation of international companies, while also allowing them to acquire basic knowledge in the related fields of management, marketing, law, and communication.

Our graduates will learn how to have an understanding of the international and intercultural connections of business-decision support. They will acquire experience in working on projects and in teams, and develop specialised linguistic competencies that will enable them to perform well in a multinational context.

Edit Németh, PhD Assistant Professor, Vice-Dean

BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

This study programme is recommended to those students who wish to become familiar with the basic issues of business administration, or are still looking for something tailored to a more specialised interest. While in the programme, students will learn how companies operate, acquire an understanding of the rules of cooperation within projects and organisations, and develop methods to solve problems and support decision-making. We also place a special emphasis on improving business communication and presentation skills.

“We have plenty of occasions in this programme to show our hidden values ― even outside of class. We can choose from summer universities, dual partnerships, national and international competitions, conferences, and many other extracurricular opportunities. I have also participated in numerous events, conferences, camps, and study trips that have broadened and developed my understanding of this field.”

Dávid Tímári BSc student in Business Administration and Management

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MASTER’S PROGRAMME IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION In addition to teaching in the areas of organisational behaviour, marketing, corporate finance, business law, and communication — which constitute the backbone of business administration expertise — our programme also focuses on microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economic policy, law, European integration, and international business. Our graduates will perform well at various sectors and levels within the network of economic institutions. They will be able to work independently, conduct analyses and prepare decisions in these areas.

“The aim of this Master’s Programme is to prepare students to work efficiently in an international business and economic environment. In addition to transferring professional knowledge, the programme attaches special importance to the development of skills and attitudes necessary to perform well in an international context. In contrast to other traditional MSc programmes in Business, this programme has two unique features: it has an international focus, and as opposed to other MSc programmes (e.g. Accounting or Marketing), it conveys more general and comprehensive professional knowledge.”

Ákos Dombi, PhD Associate Professor

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) This MBA programme educates professionals who will be able to develop ― thanks to their skills and competencies acquired through the programme ― a strategic approach to ensure the development and survival of companies in any important area of business life. While the programme aims to facilitate career acceleration, we also provide the appropriate theoretical foundations. In this spirit, students will acquire key information about international economy and management, as well as knowledge about related methods and trends. Trained in strategic thinking, our students will then be able to manage employees, teams, processes, and activities at companies.

“As members of the Faculty, we find it rewarding to teach courses within the MBA programme. We can sense that the audience perfectly understands the relevance of our message and its connections with real life, and sometimes in the course of our lessons — whether through students’ questions or an unfolding dialogue — we hit on an idea or concept that we realise could have an immediate impact on someone’s life, or a company’s life.”

Tamás Tóth, PhD Associate Professor, Vice-Dean

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DUAL TRAINING AT THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN PRACTICE?

Beginners with professional experience Dual trainings take place at two sites: in addition to their classroom studies, dual students participate in traineeships at highly reputed companies. In the course of such trainings, students not only expand their theoretical knowledge, but also become acquainted with company operations and corporate culture. The dual-training programme’s unique combination of curriculum studies and on-the-job training essentially makes this a “2-in-1” type of degree.

There is a close student-company relationship throughout the study period, and students receive a monthly salary, the terms of which are laid down in a socalled student employment contract.

The academic stages of the programme are followed by eight weeks of practice in the fall/winter semester and 16 weeks of traineeship at the company in the spring/ summer semester.

Dual students are full-time students of the University who spend their study period at the Faculty while also being employed by the company with a work contract.

In addition to the curriculum of the given study programme, dual students also complete a company training programme.

Orsolya Rádi dual student in Busi-

Edina Suba

Gábor Hajnal

ness Administration

dual student in Business

Education Officer

and Management,

Administration and Manage-

for International

training at Univer

ment, training at the Central

and Dual Relations

Product Zrt.

Bank of Hungary

“The greatest advantage of the dual training is that our graduates enter the labour market as beginners with work experience. The majority of them are offered a job by the training company right after graduation.”

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“I have been a dual student at Univer Product Zrt., where I get maximum support and help for my studies.

I can match nearly every strand of my theoretical knowledge with a practical activity, and I can also utilise the professional know-how learned at the company in my university studies, which makes it a lot easier for me to study for certain courses.“

“I have been a dual student at MNB (Central Bank of Hungary). I very much looked forward to this opportunity to gain insight into an influential institution of economic policy.

Based on my experiences so far, I am absolutely satisfied with my decision.

I have learned a lot during my practice period, while my university studies have helped me to integrate at MNB.”

SMART UNIVERSITY, MODERN CAMPUS

A digital knowledge bank, free smart devices and Wi-Fi, a 500-person lecture hall and holographic projector ― a state-of-the-art, 21stcentury University Campus in Kecskemét will open its gates in 2019.

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T

he newly established Faculty of Economics and Business at John von Neumann University features an impressive building complex with a vast, landscaped park and lookout point. Environmentfriendly solutions are deployed in the Campus’s “green” building design, and electricity for the Wi-Fi and outdoor USB ports will be partly supplied by solar energy.

As traditional “frontal instruction” teaching methods have started to be pushed into the background in recent years and 21st-century educational technologies have gained ground, methods relying on integrated and interactive technical devices have come to the fore.

Students no longer attend lectures as passive listeners, but actively participate in them, and in the spirit of two-way communication they can react immediately. In the seminar rooms they can immerse themselves in small-group project assignments and accomplish set tasks more efficiently.

The Kecskemét Campus will provide instructors and students with access to several efficient and state-of-the-art amenities that are still quite rare in Hungary (special applications, virtual spaces, real-time holographic projection etc.).

Modern educational technologies support distance learning, thus facilitating the harmonisation of studies, work and private life, as well as international cooperation and knowledge-sharing. In addition to the freely available smart devices, computers and Wi-Fi service, applications will also help students to manage their life and better organise their daily routine.

The Campus’s own social media platform will allow students to keep in touch with each other and support the flow of the latest information, while the combined blended-learning educational model will offer a community experience. Using this model, instructors can combine traditional classroom-teaching instruments with possibilities opened up through the Internet and digital media.

Educational centres all over the world place an emphasis on making their facilities accessible for the disabled. John von Neumann University will offer mobility and access solutions for the visually and hearing impaired, as well as for students with physical disabilities.

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CULTURAL AND SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY STIMULATING LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES While both Kecskemét and Szolnok offer a broad spectrum of cultural programmes with their theatres, cultural centres, museums, and festivals, the University itself also caters to the diverse interests of our student body.

Drama Society Students with a theatrical bent are welcome to join the Drama Society, which stages teaching-oriented performances for children.

Theatre Students may purchase tickets at a reduced price for performances of the Katona József Theatre in Kecskemét. Furthermore, by choosing “theatre attendance” as an elective course, students can even receive credits as regular theatre-goers.

“KEFOLK” Ensemble An enthusiastic community of folk music lovers and amateur musicians, the KEFOLK Ensemble holds rehearsals and events at the Teacher Training Faculty. The Ensemble’s programme repertoire includes dances, songs, and instrumental music.

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A “SPORTING” UNIVERSITY In addition to providing top-tier instruction, the University also aims to endow its students with a “sporting” attitude. Sports, regular physical exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are all among the core values promoted by the University, and we would like our students to make physical activity a regular feature of their daily routine.

It is in this spirit that the University has set up a Sports Office whose principal duty is to organise appealing and in-vogue sports programmes for our students.

Competition opportunities If students aspire to greater achievements through training and competition, or if they wish to pursue their studies at John von Neumann University as elite athletes, our teaching staff will support them in the framework of the mentoring programme so that they will not have to make an either/or choice between the two.

If students are involved in competitive sport and would like to test their level and performance, they can enter various college and university championships.

Teams have represented our University on several occasions at the Budapest–Vienna Super Marathon, and in “fox-chasing” and “stag-chasing” cross-country relay races.

Our students are regular participants in events organised by the Hungarian University Sports Federation.

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Sports facilities FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE (GAMF): sports hall completed in 2009, football pitch, tennis court, and fitness room.

FACULTY OF ECONOMY: Sports Office organises various sporting activities (swimming, archery, squash, bowling, fitness, tennis) at numerous venues.

FACULTY OF HORTICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT: sports hall refurbished in 2010, football pitch, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and fitness equipment.

TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY: gym, fitness room, and a brand-new handball court with a state-of-the-art playing surface.

HOMOKBÁNYA STUDENT HOSTEL: artificial-turf football pitch and tennis court, table-tennis rooms, fitness room.

SCIENTISTS’ HOUSE (KECSKEMÉT): Students interested in futsal, handball, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, chess, aerobics, and cycling can find organised training opportunities here (varies by Faculty), as well a bowling alley.

SPORT AND INTELLECTUAL EFFORT – A WINNING COMBINATION Gábor Hajnal is a dual student in Business Administration and Management and currently training at the Central Bank of Hungary (MNB). A winner of the New National Excellence Programme, Hajnal is also an active sportsman and footballer.

How does he manage to strike a good balance between sports activities and academic life?

You won first place at the Students’ Scholarly Conference as a university student, and you’re a winner of the New National Excellence Programme. At the same time, you’re also actively involved in sports. How is it possible to perform so well simultaneously in multiple areas?

I have been active in sports, mostly football, ever since I was a child. As a kid I dreamed of a sporting career, but the university atmosphere and its advantages were attractive as well. Sport and intellectual effort complement rather than restrict each other, so I have never felt that competitive sport puts an extra burden on my studies. My sports routine helps me to get my act together after a poor academic performance, for example. Or when I’m tired I know I have to get over it and keep going. Naturally, there have been overlaps when I had to go to training at the same time when I was supposed to attend an important seminar, but my coaches and professors have usually handled these cases with flexibility, so it’s really only up to me to prove my worth in both areas. In my opinion, in addition to your willpower, the key point in such situations is to have the ability to manage your time in optimal ways. I have to organise my schedule and manage my time very consciously, and then I’ll have time left for my friends and family as well ― and even for partying. But, of course, this kind of lifestyle does demand certain sacrifices.

Have you ever participated in an international-level competition or tournament?

As a young player I had several opportunities to put my skills to the test. The event I recall with the most pride is when, around the ages of 17 and 18, I was often invited to play with the national squad. As a result, I had several chances to take the field against players selected from other countries in the same age group. Besides the matches I played for Hungary, I regularly participated with my former sports associations in different international sports events organised in Hungary and abroad.

I could always learn a lot from these challenges.

Looking back on your past achievements and the more recent recognition in Kecskemét, what do you think has been the key to your success?

I think I’m a student with average aptitudes, but I’m capable of achieving good results through diligence and the type of work ethic that sport requires. In my opinion, if you’re willing to make an effort to succeed and can manage your resources well, nothing is impossible.

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Eszter Daruka, Assistant Lecturer at the University’s Faculty of Economics and Business, took third place as part of a fourmember female team at the 2018 UltraBalaton, a 220-km ultramarathon race around Lake Balaton that starts and finishes in Tihany.

Daruka participates regularly in running competitions in Hungary and abroad (e.g. in Budapest, Tata, Rijeka, and Salzburg).

She believes that a major advantage of running is the flexibility it affords: you can take your running shoes with you and train basically anywhere.

As an instructor, she tries to encourage her students and colleagues to do physical exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Her secret ambition is to see as many participants as possible running “in university colours” in the Kecskemét Half-Marathon.

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“Everyday sport has been a part of my life since my childhood. I can’t even imagine it being otherwise, but you have to keep a balance.”

Eszter Daruka Assistant Lecturer

JOHN VON NEUMANN UNIVERSITY HUNGARY

Európai Strukturális és Beruházási Alapok

BEFEKTETÉS A JÖVŐBE