Sapientia EMTE - University in the Heart of the City

UNIVERSITY IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

Published by the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering, Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), 2016

Editors in chief: Adél Csíki Levente Pap Kinga Katalin Székely

Translated by: Zsuzsanna Dégi Proofreader: Boróka Prohászka Rád

Photos: Csaba Kelemen, Gyöngyvér Nagy, Levente Sándor, Szabolcs Serar, Szabolcs Sipos, Dénes Szőcs, Nándor Veres

Source: Miercurea Ciuc - monthly publication of the Mayor’s Office

Typography, prepress and printing: Gutenberg Publishing and Printing House, Miercurea Ciuc

Dear Reader!

The aim of the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania is to provide high quality higher education that enables our graduates to successfully find a job on the continuously changing jobmarket. In our current globalized world students need to be prepared to keep up with international trends in their chosen fields of study and to use their knowledge wisely and with responsibility for our region. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that besides acquiring knowledge, skills and abilities students are also given guidance with reference to gathering further reliable information within their specific domains.

We thrive to offer such a learner-friendly educational environment in Miercurea Ciuc (CsĂ­kszereda) that our alumni will never forget. Our highly trained and

committed colleagues give their best to offer students a modern, up-to-date learning experience in order to form students who will perform efficiently on the jobmarket. Our experience shows that our graduates are successful on both national and international jobmarkets, and those who opt for further education hold their own at internationally renowned universities.

Besides education we aim to create the most favourable conditions for the most beautiful years in ours students’ lives. The variety of activities, harmony and joy, the friendly and supportive atmosphere all enhance the desire for learning.

We sincerely hope that our booklet will give you a hint of what our University and its site has to offer.

Enjoy reading!

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Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), the county seat The city is situated in the centre of the Csík basin at the crossroads heading to north-south and east-west.

It was formed as a market place (held on Wednesday) in the vicinity of the already established Şumuleu (Csíksomlyó) (1333), Taploca and Jigodin (Zsögöd) (12– 13 century) localities.

The first known official document mentioning the city dates back to 5 August 1558, issued by Prince John Sigismund’s mother, Queen Isabella.

The city developed further over the centuries.

Due to its increasing role in public life, Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) became the seat of Csík County in 1878.

The railway line inaugurated on 5 April 1897 brought about significant changes. Small woodworking, light industrial and machine building enterprises were established in the city. The cityscape soon changed.

Between 1920 and 1940 and after 1945 it joined the Romanian county system. The current county system was set up in 1968 and Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) became the county seat.

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The City Hall, the former county hall After 1876 when the county system was organized Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) became the centre of Csík County. There was a movement led by Mihály Mikó to build a new county hall in Miercurea Ciuc, the count of the district at the time. The county seat was first moved from Șumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) into the Mikó-castle in 1879, and soon they started the building of a new county hall according to plans by Ignácz Hám, head of the State Architectural Office.

The building was finished in 1886. Since the 1980s the central and southern part of the building has 6

given home to the City Hall, where the Mayor’s Office operates in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda).

The Local Council of Miercurea Ciuc consists of a decision-making body of 19 members and the mayor’s office as the executive body. The tasks and activities of the Local Government include, among others, urban and spatial planning, the development of urban infrastructure and investments, social and healthcare system, maintaining social and cultural institutions, organizing cultural programs, development of local economy, public services and tourism.

The Mikó-castle The Mikó-castle is the oldest building in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda). It was commissioned by Ferenc Hídvégi Mikó, vice-captain of Csíkszék Szekler seat from 1611.

The castle with Old-Italian bastions was probably built according to the plans of Giacomo Resti, one of the Italian architects brought into Transylvania by Gábor Bethlen.

The castle has a total area of 75x70 m and a rectangular shape. It was finished in the 17th century. Its construction style is similar to those found in Iernut (Radnót), Vințu de Jos (Alvinc) and Lăzarea (Szárhegy). The castle was burnt down by the Turks and Tatars in 1661. Its restoration was ordered by the Austrian general Stephan Steinville (1714–1716) as proven by the stone inscription above the main gate. During the revolution of 1848–49 it served as the military encampment of general Sándor Gál, of the entire Szeklerland and of the Csíkszék military command.

It continued to be used by the army up to the mid-20th

century. In 1970 it underwent a significant restoration process and since then it has served as the home of the Szekler Museum of Ciuc established in 1930. In 2011 it was again under restoration financed by the Ministry of Culture and the Local Government of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda).

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The Castle Square In the old days the Castle Square was not only the administrative centre of the city but of the whole county. Here you can find the most important buildings and institutions of the city: the mayor’s office, the Mikócastle, the courthouse, the building of the old supreme court (known as the house with pillars) which today houses the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the County Hospital. Although it ceased to function as the administrative centre of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), the Castle Square is still rather busy as it is the location for many cultural and leisure events.

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The new city centre The city of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) has undergone significant development in the last few years. Tourists and locals alike can feel that life has not stopped in this city at the foothills of the Harghita Mountains. Between 2011 and 2013 the city centre was renovated so now it has a modern, fresh look to it. The city council implemented plans that led to a total transformation of the centre: communal spaces were built for locals and visitors to enjoy; a new square that can host local events, familyand child-friendly programs. A family friendly city centre was designed and built, where the elderly can sit down and meet, children can learn to rollerblade, ride a bicycle, young mothers can push their baby strollers, youngsters can hang out. It is a kind of „ground” for unbound social

interaction. One of the focal points of the new city centre is the refurbished cinema building that according to the local council’s plans will be used by locals and visitors as a theatre and cultural centre.

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Petőfi Street The buildings along the Petőfi Sándor pedestrian street preserve the bourgeois atmosphere of the old town. Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) has a bustling city life, besides the large variety of cultural events there are several recreational opportunities offered by the numerous restaurants, coffee shops, teahouses, alternative pubs so every age group can choose the perfect place to relax. Standing in mid-Petőfi street you can see several old houses as well as a beautiful view of the Majláth Gusztáv Károly square, which does not only have a charming atmosphere but it is also one of the busiest parts of the centre.

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Consulate General of Hungary in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) In 2006 the Hungarian Government opened a consulate general in the city. Its main aim was to revitalize Hungarian-Hungarian relations concerning culture, education and sports. The building which houses the consulate was commissioned by lawyer dr. Gábor Pál (son of Gábor Pál, principal of the city’s theoretical high school), who was member of parliament between the two World Wars, then a senator and after 1940 one of the representatives of Csík County in the Hungarian House of Representatives.

The building has a unique style in the city.

Disciplined in structure, restrained in its decoration but

still sophisticated, we might say that it was „tailored on its owner”. It was refurbished in 2006 on the expense of the Hungarian Government and it houses the Consulate General of Hungary in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda).

On the square near the building, there is a statue by Ferenc Ercsei (1956–2011) a sculptor from Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), commemorating the victims and inaugurated with the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 on 23 October 2006. The square also was later named „1956 Square”.

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The Church from Şumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) The history of Şumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) dates back to the 12-13th centuries. It was first mentioned under the name of Sumlov in 1333 in a tithe document and it was named after the Şumuleu mountain (1035 m). The Ciuc in the name refers to the region. The Franciscan Monks settled in Şumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) in the early years of 1400 and built a church between 1442 and 1448. The former Gothic church has undergone several modifications during the last three and a half centuries. The Turks and Tatars set it on fire in 1661 and its roof structure was completely destroyed. It was then restored and remained as such until 1802 when it was demolished and most of the remaining material was used to build the present day baroque style church the construction of which began in 1804 based on the plans of architect Konstantin Schmidt and it was finished in 1876 along with its furnishing. On 20 August the same year it was consecrated by the Transylvanian bishop Mihály Fogarassy. One of the most valuable treasures of 12

the church is the organ, with three keyboards, 41 ranks and 2824 pipes. It was built in 1931 by the Wegenstein Leopold and Sons Company from Timisoara according to plans by József Geyer.

Besides the Eucharist, the most valuable treasure of the minor basilica of Şumuleu Ciuc is the statue which is about 500 years old. It was carved from linden wood in Renaissance style at the beginning of the 16th century (1510–1515) by a sculptor whose name is unknown today. It is 2.27 m tall, one of the tallest wooden grace statues in the world. It represents the Lady of the Sun, who has the Moon at her feet and is wearing a crown made of twelve stars. It depicts the Virgin Mary as a Queen: crown on her head, sceptre in her right hand, and on her left arm she is holding Baby Jesus, the Saviour of the world. The statue is the centrepiece of the Virgin Mary pilgrimages. As Şumuleu Ciuc is an ancient pilgrimage site connected to Virgin Mary, Pope Pius XII. declared the church a minor basilica in 1948.

The Kájoni János Library of Harghita County The Kájoni János Library is the largest public library of Harghita County financed and operated by the Harghita County Council. It fulfils the role of cultural, scientific, educational, information and leisure centre for the inhabitants of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) and of the county offering a large variety of services and diverse cultural and leisure activities and programs. In 2007 the institution was given the name of Kájoni János, a 17th century Franciscan monk and scholar. Its main role is to preserve and share our regional spiritual values.

The library, as a methodological centre, manages and coordinates the activities of other public libraries in Harghita County. Nearly 190 000 documents consisting of books, periodicals, audio-visual, electronic and other documents form the basis of the library’s wide-ranging services.

The library received a new home in 2012, in a threestorey building and it can offer its visitors improved services in a modern environment. It also functions as an open cultural space for different age groups with different interests, a pleasant environment where people can read, study, get information but also have fun The library’s website offers information about the available services, upcoming events and an online catalogue which enables visitors to search not only among the library’s collection but also among other libraries’ databases in the region. The library’s collection includes valuable digitalized copies of documents on local and regional history which can also be accessed from the website.

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The Szekler Museum of Ciuc The Szekler Museum of Ciuc is the largest museum of Harghita County maintained by the Local Government.

Its main role is to uncover, preserve, analyse and exhibit the cultural heritage of the Ciuc basin. The institution plays an active role in the network of museums from the Carpathian Basin and has also gathered extensive experience in implementing EU projects. Besides its scientific function, the Szekler Museum of Ciuc is also a popular tourist attraction: in high season the four permanent exhibitions are visited by 15 000 tourists every year, the temporary exhibitions attract about 4060000 visitors. The inner courtyard of the Mikó-castle is an exceptionally important place for the city’s cultural life. The groundwork of the institution was laid at the end of the 1920s by Pál Péter Domokos music expert and teacher, Imre Nagy painter from Jigodin (Zsögöd), and Géza Vámszer ethnographer and teacher – the first 14

folklore exhibition was organized with their guidance.

The Museum of Ciuc, as a stand-alone institution was established in 1950. It inherited the collections from the 1930s and the collections of the Catholic High School with museological value. At the beginning of the 1970s the collection was moved to the Mikó-castle, the oldest building in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda).

The „Csíki Játékszín” Theatre The municipal theatre of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) was established in 1998. Its big hall was inaugurated in May 1999 with guest performances. Then the theatre opened its doors to the public in September 1999 with its first annual repertoire. Their aim is to provide quality theatre performances not only for the public of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), but also the audience of the larger region. The theatre has a large number of season ticket owners not only in the city but throughout the Ciuc and Gheorgheni Basin. In 2004 it opened its studio theatre which houses a number of smaller guest performances and chamber plays. In the past few years it was the host of several festivals such as the „Lurkó” Children and Youth Theatre Festival and the 7th Interethnic Theatre Festival.

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Hargita National Szekler Folk Ensemble The Hargita National Szekler Folk Ensemble was established in 1990 as a professional cultural institution.

The Ensemble protects, preserves and shares the diversity of Transylvanian and Hungarian folk music and folk dance. It performs on local, national and international stages.

Members of the ensemble are also proud of the fact that the ensemble participated at three World Exhibitions: in Hannover, in Zaragoza and Shanghai where they represented our cultural heritage.

The Ensemble also aims to teach the future generation about our traditions thus to ensure their preservation and continuity. The regularly organized Transylvanian Primate’s Meeting also serves the mapping and presentation of our music traditions.

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The „Csűrdöngölő” Children and Youth Folk Dance Festival aims to encourage the next generation to love and keep traditions.

The Csík Chamber Orchestra The Csík Chamber Orchestra was founded in 2001 its members being comprised of university students majoring in music and enthusiastic music teachers.

The chamber ensemble can look back on fifteen years of successful performances, serious chamber work and a huge development. The first concert was organized from the ensemble’s own resources directed by the conductor Zoltán Szőnyi from Târgu Mureș (Marosvásárhely). The performance had a great success and thus the orchestra continued its activities. By now the Csík Chamber Orchestra has become an integral part of Szeklerland’s intense cultural life. Beyond the classical repertoire the members of the Chamber Orchestra are also involved in historically informed Baroque performances using period-instruments and

tuning. They have also performed at the Early Music Festival in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) and they are open to other music genres and styles. The Chamber Orchestra’s first joint performance with the Hot Jazz Band took place in October 2014. Then the Orchestra was invited to the Hot Jazz Band’s 30th Anniversary Concert celebration, where they had the opportunity to play together with the Gramophonia Hot Jazz Orchestra. The main aim of the Orchestra is to form a music-loving and music-savvy attuned audience by involving young people and by performing concerts organized especially for the music education of the younger generation. For this purpose the Orchestra has been working together also with the Hungarian Bobon Matine for several years now.

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The history of education in Miercurea Ciuc The roots of education in Miercurea Ciuc are closely related to the Franciscan order which settled here in the 15th century. The Franciscan monks considered their main role to be not only the spiritual enlightenment of believers, but also the education of a new generation of priests and public education. Therefore, they established a school near their monastic houses. There exists data from as early as 1570 about priests before ordination who most likely had finished their theological studies in Șumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó). In 1591 they already established a high school for secular youth as well.

From the 17th century schools were established also in the surrounding villages and after a little hesitation the monastic school was also re-established. A printing house was founded in Șumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) in 1675, which had an important role in sharing and 18

distributing Transylvanian scientific knowledge and culture, especially given that until 1727 it was the only one. The library dating back to the 15th century also had an important role in the scientific and cultural

development of the region. Its collection, which has survived over the centuries, consists of manuscripts and incunabula – valuable sources of science and cultural history (e.g. manuscripts of Kájoni János). A teacher training school was also established here in 1858, where the future cantor-teachers received high quality education.

In the 20th century church schools were nationalized and new schools were established to meet the new demands of the century. Besides the theoretical high schools, vocational schools were also founded that provided thorough, professional training. After the fall of the communist regime education was reorganized.

As a result the town provides a developed school network offering education from kindergarten to higher education. The high schools of the town (Márton Áron Theoretical High School, Segítő Mária Roman-Catholic High School, Octavian Goga National College, Nagy

István High School of Fine Arts, Kájoni János Economics, Kós Károly architecture, Venczel József woodworking vocational schools) provide quality education for young people in the Ciuc (Csík) region. The local faculty of the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania offers high quality education in Hungarian language for the Szekler youth and others as well.

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The Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania The Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania is an independent university of the Hungarian minorities in Romania. Its aim is to provide quality education and support scientific research for the benefit of our community. The university was founded in 2001 and its first campus was established in the city of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda). The history of education in the region proves that there was a need for a high quality and competitive higher education institution in the community’s mother tongue to ensure the continuity of high standard education in the 21st century. The Hungarian Government responded to this need by granting financial support for the university’s

establishment and its operation. Hundreds of scientific publications and research projects prove that our Faculty provides high quality education and research activities. Thus in 2014 the university won the title of best private university in Romania. Besides high standard and competitive education we also aim to lay the professional foundations for the economic and intellectual development of the region (Szeklerland).

The Faculty’s undergraduate programs (15) and master’s degrees are accredited by the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ARACIS).

In 2014 we joined the Erasmus student exchange program.

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Humanities Among the challenges that the Szeklerland faces we may list not only the lack of qualified language teachers, but also the small number of youth with advanced Romanian and English language skills demanded by foreign companies. Although we live in a digital age, no community can do without the humanities and a thorough knowledge of foreign languages. Open-mindedness is a prerequisite of progress and our region may be hindered in this respect by the population’s poor Romanian and English knowledge. The Humanities Department has been trying to improve this situation primarily by providing the background for the training of Romanian and English teachers. Similarly, students interested in comparative and universal literature can also benefit from excellent educational services. Our undergraduate programs meet real needs proven also by the fact that the majority of our graduate students become language

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teachers in different cities of the region; but they can also put their skills and knowledge to good use by becoming researchers, librarians, translators or working for public institutions. Reading and understanding masterpieces of world literature enrich not only our own personality but through the comparative approach they also contribute to a professional insight into our own culture. This is the goal that our World- and Comparative Literature –

English Language and Literature undergraduate program has set itself, while our Translation and Interpretation MA provides the region qualified professionals in these fields.

Teachers of the Humanities Department are also members of the Intercultural confluences research team that can list among its main activities research in the field of theoretical and practical problems arising from intercultural existence, bi- and multilingualism, research in the field of efficient language teaching methods.

We have been organizing international conferences with wide-ranging topics such as the transformation of national myths, self-mythologizing and distorted images of nations, stereotypes, the image of nations in literature, film and the media. Another main domain of our research concerns bilingualism, education- and language policies, theoretical and practical issues of teaching Romanian and English. Several members of the team have also conducted their individual research in these fields during their Ph.D. studies at universities

in the country and abroad. We have been fostering successful relations with national and foreign universities and research centres; works of our colleagues have been published by international journals and publishing houses. Our Department has also been editing and publishing the Philologica series of Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, a scientific journal quoted in international databases.

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Economics The Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering, Miercurea Ciuc offers five undergraduate programs (BSc) in economics: General Economics, Agroalimentary Economics, Economic Informatics, Accounting and Information Systems and Marketing.

The Faculty also provides two master’s programs (MSc): Applied Economics and Finance and Management and Leadership (joint program with the Corvinus University in Budapest and the University of Kaposvår, double degree). The main aim of our teaching activities is to train open-minded, practical and efficient, well-

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prepared young professionals. Therefore, we offer not only theoretical knowledge but update the contents of our courses and seminars every year, organize fieldworks, simulations, competitions and case studies. Our students take advantage of the opportunities offered by the ERASMUS+ program and either opt for a mobility scholarship or for a coupleof-month traineeship abroad.

The relationship between students and teachers can be characterized by cooperation, mutual trust and respect. Students and teachers cooperate in various

research projects, consulting and development projects thus expanding their knowledge and experience. We have good relations with the regional IT Plus Cluster (the association of IT companies from the region), with local large companies and financial institutions, with the Consulate General of Hungary as well as with other important public institutions (Municipal Tax Agency, Local Government, APIA – Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture etc.)

Besides our programs we are also proud of the „Bölöni Farkas” College for Advanced Studies which is a students’ club for talented students, as well as of our Annual International Conference on Economics and Business with 13 editions so far.

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Social sciences The university’s social sciences undergraduate programs are closely related to the developmental needs of the Szekler community. The aim of this mostly practical approach is to enable our graduates to thrive in the labour market as experts in rural development, press correspondents, event organizers and sociologists.

Our graduates who successfully found employment are living proof of the need for qualified and smart professionals working at micro-regional associations, cultural institutions, public administration, radio or TV stations or NGOs. One of the main strengths of social sciences studies in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) is its

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practical approach. Educational field trips, professional development programs and workshops enable contact between potential employers and students and they also present an opportunity to gather professional experience during their university studies at Sapientia. The graduate students of social sciences studies possess better social competences; more advanced analytical skills and increased social intelligence. Social research at the Sapientia University in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) is carried out by involving our students and regional public institution representatives – mayors, teachers, communication and rural development experts.

Our research topics address the following three main fields: social media usage, rural development and lifestyle. Our research activities related to rural development are mostly small scale analyses that follow a practical approach. Research results are used then for urban planning and development strategies by different institutions – town halls, companies, cultural centres.

Probably the most interesting research field is lifestyle including topics on current issues such as: what are the main work-related migration trends in Szeklerland; according to what set of values do teenagers and young adults live; the current issue of overeducatedness; women as successful entrepreneurs, our level of environmental consciousness, our trust in local products, changes in our news consumption habits.

Research data and results are published in scientific journals, books and volumes of studies.

The university’s Scientia Publishing House issues the scientific journal edited by the members of the social sciences department, namely the Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Social Analysis series.

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Engineering Sciences Educating engineering intellectuals in Szeklerland has a fairly short tradition; as a matter of fact, there was a lack of such professional education in the whole of Transylvania and the Hungarian speaking regions. Therefore, it is a challenge to develop this field from which the region could benefit the most in the 21st century. At present the food industry and environmental engineering seem to have a major importance; this is underlined by the professional collaborations with local economic players and public institutions (CsĂ­ki SĂśr Brewery, TusnĂĄd Mineral Water Company, Environmental Protection Agency of Harghita County, Emergency County Hospital Miercurea Ciuc, as well as other institutions and NGOs).

The potential for touristic development of Szeklerland is also supported by the Engineering and Management in Catering and Agrotourism BSc programme. If we observe

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the development of the global scientific landscape, we can see that the fast paced development of life sciences is followed by their implementation. The groundwork for this is made possible with the help of bioengineering sciences. Our university is keeping up with modern science and for this reason our engineering programme also offers biotechnologies and genetic engineering BSc programmes.

80% of the teachers of the technical sciences department have graduated at our faculty, earned their PhD, and now they lead the way for future generations of students. The majority of the young team graduated in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), their talent being confirmed by more than 100 scientific articles published in prestigious international scientific journals. We can say that in the field of engineering sciences – research and teaching alike – our university meets international standards.

The department’s research topics aim at improving and further developing the already existing results of the scientific field (e.g. practical application of fluorescent protein, biotechnological production of proteins for medical use and raw materials for the chemical industry), but we also focus on microbiological research of soil and forage improvement, production of high nutrition functional foods, the role of natural antimicrobials in food preservation as well as promoting local food production and conducting research on microbiological analysis of special local habitats. Our undergraduate students take an active part in the department’s research activities and they disseminate the results on different student conferences and competitions achieving good results and bringing home the winning prizes.

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University Library The library of the Sapientia University in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) started its operation in 2001 together with the beginning of the first academic year.

It was a great challenge for all of us to open our library at the same time when teaching activities started.

It is an academic library and being the university’s most important intellectual resource centre its main objective is to aid and assist educational and research activities. The University Library’s collection grows through targeted purchases and welcome donations.

Our hard work over the past years has resulted in having a collection of about 58.000 documents available to the readers. A considerable proportion of the library’s 30

main stock can be directly accessed in the reading room through the open-shelf system where books and documents are placed into thematic groups according to UDC. The extra copies as well as other collections and lesser used books and documents are stored in depositories. Thanks to the Hungarian Government nearly 10 000 scientific documents are accessible online for our university students and teachers.

The modern public area of the library consists of a reading room with 104 seats and a cloakroom. In the reading room, besides the open-shelf system granting free access and browsing, 14 computers are available for the visitors of the library.

The University’s Infrastructure Laboratories

TV studio

The University has a 620 sqm state of the art lab at the disposal of our bioengineering students. The biology lab is suitable for learning the basics of biology equipped with optical and stereo microscopes. The chemistry lab is where our students learn about inorganic and organic chemistry.

The physics-chemistry and transduction laboratories also contain a variety of equipment. The food technology lab is the place where students learn about fermentation, milk and dairy, bakery and meat processing technologies being also able to produce such products.

Most subjects of the environmental protection specialization are put into practice in the environmental biotechnology lab with equipment for producing biogas, purifying drainage water and composting. Genetic engineering and cell culture labs are at the disposal of industrial biotechnology and genetic engineering students.

The Faculty in Miercurea Ciuc (CsĂ­kszereda) has its own TV studio. Its main role is to provide practical insight into TV media production for students attending the Communication and Public Relations specialization.

In the studio we produce our own materials including photos, videos, promotional videos, aimed at popularising the University and its work. We consider that our own media materials can best promote our work. It is also important for the students to gain hands-on professional experience which will later improve their chance in finding employment in this field.

Translation and interpreting lab The university has a special room equipped with the most up-to-date equipment to serve the needs of the Translation and Interpretation MA students. The equipment was installed in December 2015 in one of the university’s renovated classrooms where now 18 students can practice their simultaneous interpreting skills, an element that makes our MA unique in Transylvania and thus more appealing to graduates who want to continue their studies in this domain.

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Dormitory and Canteen The Sapientia Campus in Miercurea Ciuc (CsĂ­kszereda) has 20 rooms with 4 beds and 70 rooms with 3 beds accommodating 290 students. Each room has a private bathroom and entrance hall, single and bunk beds; wireless internet connection is available in all rooms.

The rooms are also fitted with smoke alarms. There is a communal kitchen on every floor equipped with a stove, furniture and microwave oven.

In addition to the student dorm rooms there are 18 additional guest rooms which have been recently refurbished. Guest rooms are available to visitors, teachers and guests attending university events.

The university canteen is a well-equipped lunchroom for students. They can choose their favourite dish from a daily three course menu. Occasionally other events are also held here. Students organize balls here and it is also the venue for welcoming the university’s guests.

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Community-based programs of the University Silver Academy The Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania lives up to its name and aims to share knowledge and wisdom. Obviously, it focuses primarily on providing different level higher education programs for those who are interested, but at the same time it aims to play an active role in several community building and social development activities. As the institution grew stronger and gained stability, it hosted more and more events the participants or beneficiaries of which were not solely its students or its employees. The Silver Academy Educational Program launched in October 2015 is designed for a senior target audience - above 50 – with whom the university had no direct relationship before.

It was a great challenge for the university to plan a series of courses adjusted to the needs and interests of the

audience. To ensure efficiency the university sought help from the local elderly club. The program started at the end of October 2015 and since then participants could attend 14 different courses from different fields of study on Wednesdays. Since 2016 the courses are held every second week and the number of senior participants is about 600.

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Coffee shop presentations The Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering in Miercurea Ciuc has been seeking different ways through which it can play an active role in our community and be present in several domains of public life.

Besides competitions organized for high school students, baccalaureate preparation courses, open academy courses and the Silver Academy, the University has been organizing a series of Coffee shop presentations. The aim of these events is to create the opportunity for the larger public to meet our teachers – not only in our town, but also in three other locations – and to listen to presentations on topics of public interest. Coffee shop presentations are held in Gheorgheni (Gyergyószentmiklós), Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), Sfântu Gheorghe (Sepsiszentgyörgy) and Odorheiu Secuiesc (Székelyudvarhely).

Baccalaureate preparation courses The Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) has been offering free baccalaureate preparation courses for many years now. Our university provides preparation courses in Romanian language and literature and Mathematics once a week. The courses are held by high school teachers together with our university students. These courses offer a great opportunity for students to prepare for their baccalaureate exams and to experience alternative teaching methods and learning contexts. There are more than 200 students every year who attend our preparation courses and successfully pass their exams. One of the strategic aims of our institution is to take part in solving the educational problems of our region.

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Erasmus + program Following the institutional accreditation and gaining the right to take part in the Erasmus+ student mobility program, the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania started its mobility programs in the academic year 2013/2014. Since then our students, teaching staff and administrative staff have won several mobility grants. The partner institutions of the Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering in Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) are the following: • Corvinus University of Budapest, Business School • Budapest Metropolitan University • Budapest University of Technology and Economics • University of Debrecen • University of Dunaújváros • Eötvös Loránd University • Eötvös József College • Eszterházy Károly University • International Business Academy • University of Kaposvár • Kodolányi János University • National University of Public Service

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

University of Nyíregyháza University of West Hungary Óbuda University Pannon University University of Pécs Selye János University University of Szeged Szent István University Széchenyi István University College of Szolnok Universidade de Vigo Universita degli Studi della Tuscia Wesley János Theological College

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Students’ Committee The Students’ Committee of the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania was established in 2002 and it is the university’s most important student-generated club. Until 2005 the Committee was responsible for representing students’ interests and organizing different events. Later on its community building role has extended to representing the interests of the whole student body. The main objective and mission of the Students’ Committee is to represent students’ interests in the university’s decision making bodies, such as the Local Coordination Council, Faculty Council and the University Senate. The Students’ Committee also works on creating and developing partnerships with other student- and youth organizations, NGOs and other organizations involved in higher education activities.

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Events organized by the Students’ Committee The first major event of the academic year is the Freshmen’s Camp organized for first year students in order to meet their colleagues and seniors attending the university. The aim of this event is to connect freshmen and senior students through entertainment and games and to help them become accommodated with college life.

The camp is followed by the Freshmen’s Ball. The event is similar to the traditional high-school freshmen’s ball and it involves the freshmen’s initiation through challenges for the brave participants.

Since 2010 the Students’ Committee helps organizing the University Cup of the Carpathian Basin. Its main goal is to develop sportsmanship, to promote futsal and to cultivate relations among Hungarian student communities.

Another popular event is the Ice Carnival which „Takes the whole city on ice!” This traditional event recalls the atmosphere of old carnivals, when participants wear masks and go skating on the Vákár Lajos Ice Hall.

The most prominent event of the academic year is the Student Days held every year including entertainment, parties, competitions and a variety of programs. Beside these major events the Students’ Committee organizes other events as well, such as Game Night, PC Night, Karaoke Night, Film marathons, Sapi University Cup, Scientific Talks, wine tasting, theme parties (Engineering Party, Santa Claus Party, Halloween Party, PR Party, Retro Party) and balls (Year Opening Ball, Carnival Ball, End of Year Ball etc.).

Besides parties we also organize the Student Scientific Conference of the Faculty in the following

sessions: Social Sciences, Humanities, Engineering and Economics. The conference is open to all BA and MA students encouraging them to undertake scientific research.

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Life in the City Pilgrimage in Șumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) Șumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) is the greatest Roman Catholic pilgrimage site within the Carpathian Basin.

The pilgrimage and the worship of Virgin Mary started in 1440s, when the Franciscan monks settled here and it has continued up to our days. Since the 1990s the Annual Pentecost Pilgrimage brings thousands of people to the city. Thousands of people come from all over the world to Șumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó), to the „Saddle” between the two mountains of Șumuleu (Big and Small) to worship Virgin Mary. In the past few years new forms of the pilgrimage have been established.

According to past traditions pilgrims started their journey from different places close and far on foot,

waving banners and flags that represented their village, and marched towards the steep hill. Pilgrims from regions far away also come to Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) in an organized manner, but they form a group only as they go up Szék Street. Pilgrims from abroad usually come as part of an organized trip.

The journey up to the Altar has the same meaning for everyone – pilgrims are filled with enthusiasm and devotion as they arrive and meet Virgin Mary. Lots of miracles have happened and lots of prayers have been answered thanks to Virgin Mary’s intercession.

This is why Șumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) is a place of worship and pilgrimage.

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The Day of Thousand Szekler Girls According to tradition, each year on the first Saturday of July, the Thousand Szekler Girls festivity is organized in the „Saddle” of Şumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó), at the „Three Hills” Altar. The event has been organized every year for over 80 years now and its aim is to preserve the Szekler folk costume and the Roman Catholic religion. The event was established by the Sisters of Social Service, the Association of Roman Catholic Women, Gábor Albert Takács OFM provincial chief and Pál Péter Domokos ethnographer. Our Szekler girls have travelled far away in search of a job leaving behind Szeklerland and thus the need to call them back home emerged. Over the years the Thousand Szekler Girls festivity has grown into a real movement.

Although it was banned after the Second World War, after the regime change of 1989 it was restarted and it has been taking place every year. The festivity aims to provide an opportunity to preserve the cultural heritage 40

of Szeklerland, to preserve its folk music, songs, folk dance and folk costumes, and to create a framework where different groups and performers can meet. The one-day program includes the groups’ march to the Şumuleu mountain on horseback and carts, the mass in the church of Şumuleu, different programs in the „Saddle” of Şumuleu and handicrafts fair.

City Days of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) According to the Local Government’s decree of 1998, the locality celebrates the anniversary of its name being mentioned for the first time as a city at the first weekend of August each year. The first official written document that mentions the name of the city was issued on 5 August 1558 by Queen Isabella in Turda (Torda). The city celebrates this moment by organizing the City Days. The celebration offers programs for several days and gives multiple opportunities to its every citizen to participate in meaningful recreation.

There are a lot of events organized at this time such as the Gala Concert of the Csík Chamber Orchestra, the Potato Festival, craft fair and exhibition, the Szekler Supermarathon sponsored by the Apemin Tusnad, the „Dob-Ban” International Rhythm Festival, and performances of the Hargita National Szekler Folk Ensemble and of the „Csíki Játékszín” theatre. The large variety of programs includes several events for children, pop concerts and fireworks as well.

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International Jazz Festival Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda)

Early Music Festival MiercureaCiuc (Csíkszereda) Every July different locations of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) and Şumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó) are filled with the sounds of early music. At this time our city becomes the centre for music and early music education. The idea of the festival emerged in 1979 during a commemoration ceremony celebrating Kájoni János’ work.

The first early music festival was held in 1980, initiated by the Barozda and the Kájoni Ensembles. During the festival the audience can listen – free of charge – to renaissance and baroque music performed by the most prestigious artists. Since 2008 the public has also been invited to the Early Music Summer University, with instrumental master classes and presentations by renowned teachers and artists where young aspiring musicians can learn about the music of the early ages and can practice the accurate performing style of the given period.

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The International Jazz Festival Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) is an annual event started in 2009. The event has grown into a prominent cultural event of the city and its surroundings. The festival has already created a tradition and it aims to promote live music and especially jazz, one of the most difficult yet most beautiful music genres. While providing an opportunity for local jazz performers the festival also tries to attract more and more foreign bands which familiarize audiences with new styles and trends. It also helps to promote intercultural dialogue and has already proven that jazz – being such a colourful genre – will satisfy every taste.

Traditional and local products fair and exhibition The Harghita County Council together with its subsidiary institution the Harghita County Chamber of Agriculture organize the traditional and local products fair and exhibition every third Saturday of the month where Szekler farmers and producers can sell their products. On these fairs one can buy meat, dairy products, bakery products, honey, fruit and vegetables. Moreover, since April 2009 several other fairs have been organized such as the spring, fall and Christmas fairs. At these bigger fairs you can also purchase different handmade products and other handicraft items. The program aims to promote high quality services and products typical for Szeklerland. It is hoped that this event will contribute to the development of conscious consumer behaviour, so that Szekler buyers will look

for local, environment-friendly, healthy products and consuming products made in Szeklerland will become the symbol of a healthy lifestyle. Fairs also serve to strengthen local identity and relations among local producers.

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Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), City of sportS The city’s geographical location and the long lasting cold and snowy winters make the town of Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) the home of winter sports. The town prides itself with an over eighty-year-old tradition of ice hockey; therefore, it is not surprising that ice hockey is the most popular sport.

The history of local ice hockey dates back to 1929, this was the time when the first founders (Gyula Miklós, István Czáka, Lajos Vákár) reacted to some TV news with the words „We could also do this”. According to the available sources the first national matches were played during 24-25 January 1931 against the Romanian Tennis Club. Since then the teams of Ciuc have won 13 national championships, out of which 8 under the name of the

Miercurea Ciuc Sports Club (HSC Csíkszereda). The city’s adult ice hockey team has been participating in the MOL League since 2008 and in 2011 it obtained the first position on inter-league level as well.

Besides ice hockey Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) can also look back on nearly 80 years of ski tradition.

The town prides itself with excellent athletes not only in the field of alpine skiing, but also in biathlon and cross-country skiing. One of our most important athletes is Éva Tófalvi, the most successful ski shooter from Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda). She is followed by Edit Miklós, alpine ski racer also from the town. Luckily the next generation of successful athletes is already in training. At the 2013 European Youth Olympic Winter

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Festival in Brasov two other names from Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) have excelled: Dorottya Búzás in biathlon and Emil Imre short track speed skater. The two young athletes won – for the first time in the history of Romania – a gold and a silver medal. Even though Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) is considered to be the home of winter sports, in the last few years cycling as a summer sport has also gained popularity. Károly Eduárd Novák cyclist is at the forefront of this sport, a

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Paralympic world champion. Since 2013 he has been the president of the Romanian Cycling Federation.The first Cycling Tour of Szeklerland was organized in 2007 and since 2008 it has been included among the events of the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The Miercurea Ciuc Football Club is formed of adult and young teams and it operates the Football Academy of Szeklerland. The Márton Áron Centre for Talented Youth was opened in September 2016 and it serves as a dormitory for high school students with good academic results and for the young members of the Football Academy of Szeklerland.

The city’s adult men’s basketball team plays in the second division of the national championship. The „Hargita Gyöngye” Basketball Club is formed of young people from Ciuc and players from other parts of the country as well as from abroad.

Besides ice hockey, skiing, cycling and basketball there are several other sports, like figure-skating and martial arts, where athletes from Ciuc have achieved great success. One of the most successful representatives of martial arts is Csaba Búzás master in karate (7 DAN), kendo (5 DAN) and iaido judo (3 DAN) and founder of the school. Members of his teams have won national and world championships as well.

Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) is not only famous for its high-performance sports but recreational and mass sports are also popular. The „Erőss Zsolt” Sport Arena with a seating capacity of 1200, was inaugurated in 2007. Next to it an artificial grass football pitch was constructed and several new sport centres have been built as well. The „Vákár Lajos” ice hall offers people of all ages the possibility to practice skating and other ice sports all year round.

„Csíki Csobbanóʺ swimming pool The newest sports venue, the „Csíki Csobbanó” swimming pool opened its gates in May 2013. It is open to anyone who purchases a 3-hour daily ticket, or a 10 entry monthly ticket. Senior and medically retired citizens can receive a special discount.

There is a special sports pass and a special group discount for schools. There are two swimming pools:

one 33x25 m water polo pool which is 2,3 m deep, and a 12,5x25 m pool, with a depth between 1,20 and 1,80 m. The venue is suitable for competitive events, the grandstand seats 550 people. For safety reasons there are professional lifeguards on duty at all times performing supervision and, if needed, rescue duties.

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530104 Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda) Piaţa Libertăţii (Szabadság tér) nr. 1 Tel.: +40 266 314 657, fax: +40 266 372 099 E-mail: csikszereda@sapientia.ro, miercureaciuc@sapientia.ro csik.sapientia.ro