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THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN 2000–2025.: THE FIRST RECTOR'S TERM JANUARY 1st 2000 – JULY 31st 2001
180-227Views:135A new era of higher education in Debrecen began in 2000 – decades after the 1912 founded state university was split into several institutions in 1950 – the Debrecen University was established from four independent institutions, offering the broadest range of study programs in the country with five university faculties, three college faculties, nine institutes and three associated institutions. This study reviews the preliminary steps which had been taken to prepare for the institutional integration within the framework of the Debrecen Universitas Association and the Debrecen University Association, describes the circumstances surrounded the failure of the direct integration of church institutions, and details the events connected to the launch of the new university, also presenting the recollections of those involved in the university leadership at the time. The success of the Debrecen University integration was based on its special characteristics, such as broad-based leadership, close cooperation of rectors elected for a short period from different fields of science, highly decentralized management, the establishment of the Medical and Health Sciences Center and the Agricultural Sciences Center – which combined high-level clinical work and agricultural activities, respectively, with the function of related faculties –, and an infrastructural investment program that enabled advances in the majority of educational areas and focused on support of scientific research. Based on the structural decisions, internal integration processes were launched for consolidated operation of informatics, the libraries and language departments, and in the activities of specialty coordination centers, to facilitate cooperation in educational programs and research work. A constructive and harmonious relationship had been developed with the newly formed university-level students’ union and, within the framework of a collective agreement with the institution's employees. The cooperation agreement with the city of Debrecen, the interconnection with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and participation in the founding of the European University Association were of decisive importance in the university's external relations. The joint works in developing the identity of the University of Debrecen, the creation of symbols and brand images linked to the historical Debrecen Reformed College resulted in trust-based cooperation and breaking down of barriers between the integrating communities of scholars, researchers, students, and employees.
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GYULA PETRÁNYI PROFESSOR OF INTERNAL MEDICINE AND DEAN OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN IN 1953-1954
3-22Views:287In the academic year 1953/54, Professor Gyula Petrányi headed the Debrecen Medical University, which became independent in 1951, as Dean with the power of a rector, and then served as Vice-Rector of the Clinical Faculty of the University from 1971-74. He came to the University of Debrecen in 1950 at the young age of 38, when he was entrusted with the establishment and organization of the II. Department of Internal Medicine. Initially, the clinic was located in Bem Square within the Municipal Hospital, then moved to the clinical premises in July 1951. From 1967 to 1974 he was director of the I. Department of Internal Medicine. Until 1983, he was head of the Internal Medicine Clinic II at Semmelweis Medical University and, at the same time director of the National Institute of Internal Medicine. During his 24 years in Debrecen, he drew on his previous international experience to establish a new clinic that was up to date. He laid the foundations for an integrated approach to internal medicine and sub-disciplinary specialization. His repeatedly published textbooks on internal medicine have underpinned the knowledge and professional work of generations of medical doctors. He is credited with the establishment of the Immunology Laboratory, the Isotope Laboratory, the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Internal Medicine, the Endoscopy Laboratory, the Dialysis Centre, and the foundation of the Central Clinical Chemistry Laboratory. In his scientific activity, he focused on immunology, which was a pioneering field at the time, and as an academician, he laid the clinical foundations for this field in Hungary. His university leadership was characterized by systemic and quality elevation of teaching, clinical and research activities. As dean and clinical deputy rector, he played a significant role in the Medical University of Debrecen serving as an example for other Hungarian medical universities.
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LÓRÁND KESZTYŰS, PROFESSOR OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, THE FIRST HEAD AS DEAN (1951), THEN TWO TIMES AS RECTOR (1959-1963, 1967-1973) OF THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL OF DEBRECEN.
24-66Views:306In 1951 Lóránd Kesztyűs as dean became the first head of the University Medical School of Debrecen formed from the Faculty of Medicine of the Debrecen University, and then he was elected rector of the institution for two periods (1959-1963, 1967-1973). He had determining roles in the infrastructural extension of departments and clincics, in modernisation of medical education with increased number of medical students, in enhancing productivity of scientific research, in developing clinical service with high regional and national reputation and in shaping a performance based, democratic leadership managament under restrictive conditions of a state party centralized political system. His internationally recognised research activity and national science policy achievements led to foundation of immunology and allergy research in Hungary. He was elected to member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Establishing the related department, with text book writing and creating his school of scientists, made him a momentous professor of pathophysiology. His friendly, direct and open persionality had an important role in realisation of a succesful leadership and organizational climate at the departmental and institutional level. Presentation of his achievements is based on a monograph of his past co-worker with reflections of three professors (two of them also served as rectors).
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODERN INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN
146-179Views:103At the end of the 20th century, information technology initiated revolutionary changes. The first inter-university networks, established by American universities, rapidly transformed the internet into a global system, soon reaching Europe and countries behind the Iron Curtain. In Hungary, higher education institutions were the first to recognize the opportunities presented by this new technology, and in the early 1990s, they commenced the development of internationally competitive networks. At that time, Debrecen was home to several independent universities and colleges, which set the objective of creating a unified IT infrastructure. This development was facilitated by state funding and the lifting of the Eastern technology embargo, which enabled the adoption of advanced Western network devices and protocols. By the autumn of 1994, a city-wide optical fiber backbone network had been completed, providing high-speed data transmission between campuses using FDDI technology. The implemented system integrated 12 kilometers of optical cable, more than twenty connected buildings, and over one thousand computers, offering a bandwidth of 100 Mbit/s—ten times the capacity of contemporary Ethernet networks. Initially, the network provided essential services such as internet access, email, and shared printing, while also laying the groundwork for future integrated systems, including academic and administrative records. The city network, named UDNet, thus represented not only a significant technological innovation but also established a stable foundation for the long-term development of information technology at the University of Debrecen.
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BÉLA PUKÁNSZKY PROFESSOR OF GERMAN STUDIES THE RECTOR MAGNIFICUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1947/48.
13-21Views:286Béla Pukánszky, Literary historian. germanist, corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, was a professor at the University of Debrecen from 1941 until his death. He was the Head of the Department of German Literature at the university; he was dean of the Faculty of Arts in the academic year of 1947/48 and rector of the university in the academic year of 1948/49. Due to his unfortunate, early death at the age of 55, he worked at the University of Debrecen for only nine years, but he was known and recognized far beyond the walls of the university through his scholarly work.
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Ethnography and Folklore Studies at the Hungarian Universities until 1960
Views:319Ethnography and Folklore Studies at the Hungarian Universities until 1960. At the University of Budapest at the end of the 18th century it was Dániel Cornides (1732–1787) who dealt with issues of Hungarian ancient religion, while András Dugonics (1740–1818) paid attention to various aspects of Hungarian folk poetry (tales, idiomatic phrases, proverbs) and folk customs in his lectures. Descriptive statistics, reports of the state of affairs in various regions and ethnic groups within the country documented the ethnographic character of these areas and groups in the first half of the 19th century. In the second half of the century professors of Hungarian literature and language investigated and discussed these topics with a comparative European perspective at universities. Ethnographic and folklore-related knowledge was disseminated by excellent professors of classical philology and oriental studies. Professors of geography (János Hunfalvy, Lajos Lóczy) played a crucial role in providing information about faraway peoples and continents at the University of Budapest.
The first associate professor (Privatdozent) in ethnography was Antal Herrmann at the University of Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca, now Romania) in 1898. He delivered his lectures until 1918 in Kolozsvár, and between 1921 and 1926 in Szeged where the University of Cluj was relocated to. The first university department for ethnographic and folklore studies was established at the University of Szeged, where Sándor Solymossy, a scholar of comparative folkloristics, became professor. At the University of Budapest the first department for ethnography and folklore studies was founded for professor István Györffy, who primarily studied material culture and the people of the Great Hungarian Plain. His successors were Károly Viski (1942), then folklorist Gyula Ortutay (1946). In 1951 at the University of Budapest another department came into being for István Tálasi who was a scholar of material culture studies and historical ethnography.
The head of the ethnography and folklore department of the Hungarian University of Kolozsvár (Klausenburg, Cluj) was Károly Viski in 1940–1941, and Béla Gunda between 1943 and 1948. At the University of Debrecen established in 1912 a number of associate professors held ethnographic and folklore lectures between 1925 and 1949 (István Ecsedi, Károly Bartha N., Tibor Mendöl, Gábor Lükő), but an autonomous department was established only in 1949, led by Béla Gunda until 1979. At the University of Szeged Sándor Bálint was appointed professor of ethnography and folklore studies in 1949, but only after 1990 became it possible to provide M. A. degrees in ethnography and folkloristics. M.A. degrees in ethnography and folkloristics have been provided at the University of Budapest since 1950, while at the University of Debrecen since 1959.
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ENDRE TÓTH, PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY, BETWEEN 1947 AND 1950, DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN, BETWEEN 1950 AND 1958, DEAN OF THE REFORMED THEOLOGICAL ACADEMY OF DEBRECEN
Views:372The life and work of Endre Tóth (1899–1970), a reformed theological professor and church historian, first in Pápa and later in Debrecen, is a unique Hungarian 20th-century intellectual destiny. While his quiet character made him averse to official duties, the troubled historical circumstances forced him to hold serious church offices for decades. He held various posts at the Reformed Theological Academy of Pápa and the Transdanubian Reformed Church District from the mid-1920s for two decades, then became professor at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Debrecen between 1947 and 1950. He was then professor at the Reformed Theological Academy, after the Theological Faculty seceded from the State University and operated under the Reformed College, and dean for a decade from 1948. It is also thanks to his wisdom and humility that the pastoral education in Debrecen, while maintaining its former academic quality, has survived perhaps the most difficult decade in its history without serious losses. Under the direction of Endre Tóth, in 1950 the separation from the state university, the move to the college, the admission of theology students from Sárospatak after the nationalization of schools, and the processing of the upheavals of the 1956 events took place, while the Transtibiscan District changed bishops twice (when he arrived in Debrecen, Imre Révész, his predecessor at the department, was still the bishop; after 1948, János Péter, and from 1957 Tibor Bartha was the bishop). In addition to his work as head of an institution, he also performed educational and scientific activities as a church historian.
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REZSŐ BOGNÁR PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY, RECTOR MAGNIFICUS OF THE KOSSUTH LAJOS UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCES BETWEEN THE ACADEMIC YEARS 1951-54. AND 1973-75
3-23Views:277Rezső Bognár graduated from the József Nádor University of Technology and Economics in Budapest and worked beside Géza Zemplén at the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University of Applied Sciences unil 1950. At the age of 35 he already became a corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He moved to Debrecen as an academic, where he organised the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University's newly established Faculty of Natural Sciences. The four decades he has spent in Debrecen have spread far beyond the walls of the institute, since he was rector of the university for a total of five academic years, and vice-rector for seven academic years, both positions he has held on two occasions. He played a particularly significant role in enabling the Debrecen Academic Committee to start its work in 1976 and to build its headquarters in Debrecen.
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LIFE AND WORK OF CLINICAL PROFESSOR SÁNDOR ÁRVAY, DEAN ENDOWED WITH RECTOR’S RIGHTS (1954−1955), CURATIVE-PREVENTIVE (CLINICAL) VICE-RECTOR (1965−1971) OF THE DEBRECEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
3-20Views:241Sándor Árvay (1903-1997) was professor and head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Medical University of Debrecen for 22 years. Three years after his appointment, he performed the duties of a dean of the university with the rights of a rector. Ten years later, as clinical vice rector, he managed the curative and preventive tasks of the university for six years. As a university student, he studied in Debrecen, Budapest, Vienna and Basel. During his clinical internship in Debrecen, he learned the theoretical foundations of experimental medicine at the Institute of Physiology in Basel. After his professional examination, he experienced the practical duties of healing patients as a chief physician in Szikszó, Máramarossziget, and Gyula. Armed with his extensive theoretical and practical experience, he was appointed head of obstetrics. He has developed his clinic into one of the national centers of the profession, and through his extensive national and foreign connections, into an internationally renowned institute. Thanks to his work, 5 department heads, 9 university professors, and 21 head physicians have emerged from his institute, the Árvay school. He was awarded prestigious state and social awards for his outstanding public activities in the leadership of the university and in social organizations. After his retirement, he selflessly helped his colleagues for another 17 years with wise advices and useful observations. His human qualities, modesty, puritanism, broad knowledge and wisdom are exemplary and are respected by all of us. We take great care of his exceptionally rich spiritual legacy, and preserve his memory with respect and grace.
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100 YEARS OF PEDIATRIC CLINIC OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN THE HISTORY OF PEDIATRICS AND THE PEDIATRIC CLINIC IN DEBRECEN
167-190Views:254The tradition of pediatrics in Debrecen dates back to the 18th century. József Csapó, working in the intellectually stimulating environment of the Reformed College, is credited with publishing the first Hungarian pediatric medical textbook. The official inauguration of the current building of the Pediatric Clinic was held on November 6, 1924. The internationally renowned professor Félix Szontagh became the first director of the Pediatric Clinic in Debrecen. Under the leadership of his successor Zoltán Bókay, the clinic gained further recognition both domestically and internationally. László Kulin was designated as a full professor and director of the clinic in 1949. During his tenure, between 1950 and 1952, the country’s first air-conditioned ward for malnourished infants and premature babies was built. Professor László Kulin retired in 1972, and an excellent clinician, his colleague and student, professor Béla Kövér succeeded him. Thanks to Béla Kövér’s efforts, one of the first Perinatal Intensive Care Centers (PIC) in Hungary was established at the clinic in 1976. In 1949, László Kulin was appointed public teacher and director of the clinic. During its operation, in 1950-52, the country's first air-conditioned ward for emaciated babies and premature babies was built. László Kulin retired in 1972 and was succeeded by his colleague and student Béla Kövér, who was a well-known excellent clinician. Thanks to his work, one of the Perinatal Intensive Centers (PIC) was established at the Children's Clinic in Debrecen in 1976. Professor László Karmazsin was selected as director in 1977. He created the conditions for the development of several subspecialties, including psychology, pulmonology, immunology, and neonatal care. During his leadership period were also established the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) providing diagnostic laboratories and scientific research. Professor Éva Oláh was chosen as director in 1992. She established an admissions department and prioritized the development of hematology and cytogenetics. From July 2007, Professor György Balla took over as director. During his time, new departments were formed, and the integration of the Pediatric department of Kenézy Gyula Hospital into the Pediatric Clinic strengthened the clinic's capacity for comprehensive pediatric care. Pediatric care in Debrecen became a leading institution even by international standards. Professor Gábor Veres was entrusted with the role of director on April 1, 2018. His tragic death in January 2020 interrupted the exciting development of the clinic, which sought to merge the Debrecen and Budapest schools. Tamás Szabó has been the head of the clinic from February 2020. The development and growth of the clinic continued both in the field of infrastructure, treatment, research and education.
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COMMON MEMORIES ABOUT THE GREAT PROFESSOR-INDIVIDUALITIES OF AGRICULTURAL HIGHER EDUCATION OF DEBRECEN AND MAGYARÓVÁR.
229-243Views:302In the history of domestic vocational education in agriculture, the year 2018 has recorded itself onto the pages of history’s golden book with two significant anniversaries. Mosonmagyarovar celebrated the bicentenary of its birth and Debrecen celebrated its existence of a century and a half. These two higher education institutions were called to life by different reasons. While Ovar opened its gates to a private initiative, in Debrecen the local farmer society was the driving force with the binding precondition to which was connected tightly to have the mother tongue education accepted by the Viennese court. The time proved afterwards that the education in Hungarian language did not go to the detriment of expertise at none of the institutions. It must be acknowledged that in the field of vocational training, Magyarovar was the one which gave the first large faculty of teachers but soon Debrecen outgrew itself to the acropolis of vocational training too. The Ministry of Agriculture solved the incidental differences of standards by switching teachers. Owing to this, some professor-individualities had the chance to teach at both places. In our compilation – as a sample – we selected a few meaningful personalities with great authority who are claimed to have by both university faculties.
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Gyula Mitrovics, Professor of Pedagogy the Rector Magnificus of István Tisza University of Debrecen of the Academic Year 1940/41.
Views:298Professor of Pedagogy Gyula Mitrovics was Rector Magnificus of the Hungarian Royal István Tisza University of Debrecen in the academic year of 1940-1941. His profound interest in the arts and his Protestant identity
shaped by the oscillation between the Sárospatak versus Debrecen axis constituted the basis and the framework for an overarching career which the child of a Sárospatak family of educators could fulfill in the Hungary of the first half of the 20th century. Despite the fact that the success of his early publications and the affirmative critical responses beckoned the young and upcoming teacher to a career in art history or to the calling of an aesthete, the interests of the arts faculty of the ”newly born” university of Debrecen dictated a different professional alternative. His attention turned to pedagogy, of which he became privat-docent in 1917, then full professor in 1918. Starting from this juncture, he led parallel professional lives rooted in aesthetics and pedagogy. In the year before his retirement he was elected rector of the university. His attitude in this supreme office was characterized by seeking compromises, which was a direct consequence of the priorities of the age in which he lived. It was during his rectorship that the university was to surrender its science departments. However, the diplomatically sensitive rector was able to attain the continuance of instruction in the disrupted departments by employing external lecturers. During his retirement as pensioner his life assumed a tragic turn: int he year 1949 – prompted by outside advice – he resigned his position as corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy then, in the middle of the 1950s he left Hungary. The one-time Debrecen professor of pedagogy spent his remaining years in Stuttgart and that is also where he died in 1965. -
Jenő Bacsó, Professor of Civil Procedures the Rector Magnificus of the Hungarian Royal István Tisza University of Debrecen during the Academic Year 1938/39
3-32Views:368Jenő Bacsó, Professor of Civil Procedure the Rector Magnificus of the Hungarian Royal István Tisza University of Debrecen during the Academic Year 1938/39. Jenő Bacsó was the emblematic figure of the jurist training and university life in Debrecen. The editor of the „Debreceni Képes Kalendárium” told that Jenő Bácsó should have been elected rector for the academic year 1938/39 even if someone else could be the next, since he was the person who joined the city, the College and the university. Besides Béla Szentpéteri Kun he was the other professor at the faculty who taught and took part actively in the university life from the establishment of the faculty (1914) to the suspension of the jurist training (1949). He held several positions and educated during his active 33 years as well as during two years after his retirement: he was one of the major figures of the committee which was responsible for handing-receiving of the office of the dean, he took part in Mensa Academica, the committee of the university territorial planning, furthermore, as Rector he was a member of the commission of inquiry sent at the time of the student rioting. He was one of the members of the National Council of the Higher Education from Debrecen. He was the dean of the Faculty of Law during three academic years: 1922/23, 1934/35, 1946/47.
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Az egyetemi testnevelés kialakulása és fejlődése Debrecenben a két világháború között
32-40Views:197The Formation and Development of Physical Education at the University of Debrecen Between the Two World Wars. This study offers an overview of the beginnings, formation, as well as the production of the institutional and human resources of university-level physical education. The reader is provided with information pertaining to the difficulties relating to the introduction of mandatory university-level physical education and the role Debrecen—and Debrecen’s Gymnastics Association: DTE—played in securing
accommodation for the gymnastics lessons. Thus, we can learn about the changes and shifts, from optional to obligatory, of the university physical education of female students. We can also receive information as to who the first physical education instructors at the university were and additional information concerning those university educators who were the chief supporters of the systematic exercise of students and of university-level sports. It was due to the dedication of these people that it was in Debrecen that a position for sports physician was first created. The duties of the sports physician included the health check-up of students who participated in the gymnastics exercises. In addition, the study also includes information pertaining to how the university sports centre was created and extended as well as how the interest of the student body in exercise was enhanced by the University Athletic Club of Debrecen (DEAC) -
The HISTORY OF CARDIAC SURGERY IN DEBRECEN
262-284Views:295The establishment of cardiac surgery in Debrecen is closely interlinked with thoracic surgery. This activity started and continued for many decades at the Auguszta Sanatorium, later the University of Debrecen's Department of Surgery II, which housed thoracic surgery at the time. In the Auguszta Sanatorium, which was nationalised after World War II, a thoracic surgery department was established in 1948, under the direction of Dr. József Schnitzler, whose professional interests in the 1960s turned towards cardiac surgery. He found a suitable partner for his groundbreaking goal in the pioneering work of Hungarian cardiac surgery, Dr. Árpád Eisert, a leading surgeon of the Jósa András County Hospital in Nyíregyháza. As a result of their exemplary professional cooperation, the first closed heart surgery was performed in Debrecen in 1963. The heart-lung machine required for cardiopulmonary bypass necessary to start open heart operations was provided by a donation from Béla Köteles, the son of Hungarian emigrants born in America, who founded his own instrument manufacturing company there. The first open heart surgery was performed by visiting professor Gábor Kovács from Szeged with Professor Schnitzler in 1968. In 1972, András Gömöry was entrusted with the management of cardiac surgery, and he succeeded in creating a team of highly qualified doctors and specialists even under the prevailing difficult circumstances. This, provided a solid basis for further development within the field. In 1983, after the retirement of Professor Schnitzler, Árpád Péterffy, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, was appointed as Head of the Department of Surgery II. Due to the knowledge, professional and work organisation experience he had gained abroad, cardiac surgery in Debrecen developed with great strides. The number of operations increased significantly, while the mortality rate was reduced by a third. He managed to acquire a new building for cardiac surgery in 1993, which created the opportunity for further development. The new building significantly improved the quantity and quality of cardiac surgery and made Debrecen an internationally recognised flagship of Hungarian cardiac surgery. Due to his work in international exchanges his students were able to improve their knowledge in Western European countries and elsewhere overseas. After his retirement in 2008, he continued to work as Professor Emeritus in our clinic, remaining fully committed to supporting our work, the development of cardiac surgery in Debrecen, and the preservation and enhancement of its reputation. As his professional successor, Associate Professor Tamás Szerafin was entrusted with the leadership of the cardiac surgery department. Together with his colleagues, their aim has been to preserve and further develop the patient-centred spirit and professional dedication of their predecessors, and to preserve the built heritage.
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The Initiation Ceremonies of the Hungarian Royal University of debrecen -23 october 1918.
111-124Views:260Initiation Ceremonies of the Hungarian Royal University of Debrecen – 23 October 1918. The last Hungarian king, Charles IV on the 23rd October 1918 – some days before the disintegration of the Austrian-
Hungarian Monarchy – visited Debrecen and solemnly, with ceremony, as was customary, officially inaugurated the Hungarian Royal University of Debrecen that was already functioning for four years. The
study – mainly with the reflections of the press and photos of the time – follows the events of the significant day of Debrecen. -
Doctoral Dissertations of the Mathematical Seminar of the University of debrecen at the beginning of the 20th Century (1927-1940)
Views:367Doctoral Dissertations on The Mathematical Seminar of the University of Debrecen at the Beginning of the 20th Century (1927–1940). In this article we present 16 mathematical dissertations, the life and later carrier of their authors (15 persons) in two parts. These dissertations were written under the direction of Professor Lajos Dávid between 1927 and 1940. At that time he was the leader of the Mathematical Seminar of the University of Debrecen. The themes of the dissertations were connected with his scientific work, such as history of mathematics (the two Bolyais), or research work in mathematical analysis (arithmetic-geometric mean). The dissertations were published separately as books. Later these were collected in a colligation named Dissertationes Davidianae Debrecen 1927–1940. We have to mention this colligation does not contain the dissertation of Ferenc Kárteszi. We found his work among the dissertations of Doctors of Philosophy in the Library of the University of Debrecen. (Part 1: 1927–1934).
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JÁNOS HANKISS, PROFESSOR of LITERATURE, RECTOR MAGNIFICUS OF ISTVÁN TISZA HUNGARIAN ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1944/45.
11-30Views:412János Hankiss started his academic career at the University of Debrecen in 1920. In the distinguished community of his peers who taught at our university between the two world wars, János Hankiss indubitably belonged to the top professionals. If a university’s academic rank is determined not only by its local or national prestige but also by its international recognition and appreciation, then in this latter frame of reference it was perhaps Professor Hankiss who did most to put Debrecen on the map for Europe and beyond. Indeed, he would share his knowledge not only within the confines of the University: he was a popularizer of scholarship and of the literary culture who was ready to move beyond the narrow limits of his immediate professional field and to address a larger audience. Besides, his name is also associated with the still extant quarterly periodical Debreceni Szemle [Debrecen Review] and Debrecen University’s International Summer School.
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THE SEMI-JUBILEE OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN: THE ANTECEDENTS
228-233Views:91The quarter-century commemoration refers to the fact that the University of Debrecen started operating as universitas officially, i.e. according to laws implemented by the state. The reunification actually took place in 2000, therefore, now is indeed the time to commemorate the re-establishment of the unified University of Debrecen. However, prior to this, certain events had already taken place that led directly to the establishment of a unified university. But to where and when can we put the initiation of this process? Can we link it to a certain date? The answer is yes. It may also be interesting to note that these lines are written by someone who has been involved from the very beginning and has been able to work on the re-establishment of the various 'universities' operating in different parts of our city.
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THE OFFICIALS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN BETWEEN 1914 AND 1950.
146-174Views:278The compilation of basic data, lists of teachers and officials is essential for the history of the University of Debrecen. As one of the „by-products” of the publication prepared for the centenary of the University of Debrecen, wasa day-by-day list of university officials compiled. As the archives from 1914 to 1950 were extensively scrapped in the 1950s, it is not always possible to determine the dates of the officials' activities from the surviving archives. In any case, the archontology that has been drawn up taking these into account includes the officials of the Rector’s Office, the Dean’s Offices, the Quaestura („Study Office”), the Economic Office (later the Economic Directorate) and other service institutions between the dates indicated above. The University Library staff have already appeared elsewhere.
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PAST – PRESENT – FUTURE: 15 YEARS OF THE KERPELY KÁLMÁN COLLEGE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES
174-185Views:243Student organizations – and within them, colleges for advanced studies – play a special role in the life of higher education institutions. These communities offer not only opportunities for talented and motivated students to deepen their academic pursuits, but also convey core values: a commitment to science, a sense of social responsibility, and a persistent drive for intellectual growth. Colleges for advanced studies build bridges between theoretical knowledge and practical experience, between individual ambition and shared purpose – all within a supportive, inspiring environment. Throughout our university years, these communities become spaces where we learn not only to study, but to think, create, debate, and collaborate. This is why such colleges are not merely academic forums – they are transformative communities. They are places where friendships are forged, life-long connections are made, and professional journeys begin. Since its founding in 2010, the Kálmán Kerpely College for Advanced Studies at the University of Debrecen has played a distinguished role in fulfilling this mission. Following the intellectual legacy of its namesake, the College has provided its members with both high-level academic enrichment and meaningful community experiences over the past fifteen years. Its anniversary offers a fitting opportunity to reflect on its history, its impact, and all it has contributed – to individuals, to communities, and, in a broader sense, to the university as a whole.
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Vilmos Haendel, Professor of Law the Rector Magnificus of the Hungarian Royal István Tisza University of Debrecen during the Academic Year 1942/43.
15-48Views:272Vilmos Haendel was a lecturer for 14 years at the law academy at the Reformed College of Debrecen, then for nearly 30 years he taught political sciences at the University of Arts and Sciences of Debrecen. Being a well-rounded person he stood out from among the teachers of the Law Faculty of the university before the World War II. He played an important role in the political, social and cultural life of Debrecen for decades. At the same time, his nationalism and anti-Semitism made him a typical figure of the public life of the city in the first Half of the 20th century. The study describes his way of life on the basis of such data which have not been summed up so far, and tries to show his teaching career and the events of the year when he was the Rector flashing his most important scientific works.
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Doctoral Dissertations on The Mathematical Seminar of the University of Debrecen at the Beginning of the 20th Century (1927–1940). Part. 2.
162-193Views:245In this article we present 16 mathematical dissertations, the life and later carrier of their authors (15 persons) in two parts. These dissertations were written under the direction of Professor Lajos Dávid between 1927 and 1940. At that time he was the leader of the Mathematical Seminar of the University of Debrecen. The themes of the dissertations were connected with his scientific work, such as history of mathematics (the two Bolyais), or research work in mathematical analysis (arithmetic-geometric mean). The dissertations were published separately as books. Later these were collected in a colligation named Dissertationes Davidianae Debrecen 1927–1940. We have to mention this colligation does not contain the dissertation of Ferenc Kárteszi. We found his work among the dissertations of Doctors of Philosophy in the Library of the University of Debrecen. (Part 2: 1934–1940).
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THE TRANS-TISZA PLANT PROTECTION FORUM IS 30 YEARS OLD
250-265Views:98The 30th anniversary of the Trans-Tisza Plant Protection Forum (30th TNF) was jointly organised by the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences of the University of Debrecen (University of Debrecen) and the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania (EMTE) on 15-16 October 2025 in Târgu Mureș. The Plant Protection Forum, which has been held continuously for three decades (raised to an international level every three years during the period), will be held annually from 2025. Consequently, the 30th TNF was also the 12th IPPS (International Plant Protection Symposium). In 1868, higher education for farmers was launched in the Trans-Tisza region to create the best, always modern agriculture. To help with this, we started the series of TNF (IPPS) events in 1996, the aim of which is to combine the results of modern science with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the plant protection of organic farming systems (Eco-Farming), which continue to be offered in the city of Debrecen in the future.
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Négy ablak – a Debreceni Egyetem és a reformáció: (Ünnepi megemlékezés – 2017. szeptember 27.)
155Views:221Four Windows – University of Debrecen and the Reformation (Celebratory Commemoration – 27 September 2017) The University – founded in Debrecen in 1912 – has always emphasised its roots attached to the Reformed College. The aim of the festive council held on 27 September 2017 was to recall the several centuries-old close connection between the Reformation and the traditions of the University and the city through the college’s foreign relationships. The crystal windows installed in the University Aula in 1938 picture the Reformed College and its historical relations, the important stations of the Debrecen students’ travels to foreign universities, namely Zurich, Utrecht, Wittenberg and Geneva. They also perpetuate the latin names of the four traditional university faculties: Jurisprudentia, Philosophia, Medicina, Theologia. In the commemoration high-ranking representatives of the three partner countries – that became important to the city of Debrecen, the University of Debrecen and the Reformed College based on the Reformation – commemorated about the more centuries-old protestant relationships between Debrecen and Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland. In the following, we publish two welcome speeches and two lectures heard in the celebratory commemoration.
