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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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The FOUNDATION AND THE FIRST TWENTY YEARS OF THE HEALTH COLLEGE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN
253-278Views:241The article reviews the circumstances of the foundation and dynamic development of the Health College during its first two decades when, with extensive Hungarian and international cooperation, four programs were launched in the college, which had not existed previously in Hungary. In addition, several other programs, that up till that time had been available only in Budapest, were initiated. As a result of the dynamic training development, the number of students increased significantly by the end of the nineties. Because of the increase enrollment, the College was struggling with a significant lack of space, consequently beginning in 1997 developing and improving the infrastructure became increasingly critical. By taking over and repairing old and erecting new buildings the college significantly expanded by several thousand square meters. Additionally, the dormitory of the college was also renovated. The creation of the college was part of the national concept and strategy in the nineties aimed at establishing and expanding higher education for healthcare workers. In the first twenty years, six new programs were launched at the college, and by the end of the 2000s, the institution was able to start a master degree.The rate at which the college was developing was somewhat broken or slowed down by the transformation of higher education in the 2000s, the start and the storms of university integration, the introduction of the Bologna system, and the accompanying structural transformations. The college successfully faced the obstacles, and tried to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the new systems. The 2000’s saw the creation of new bachelor programs, specializations and master programs, including some that had not existed in our country before.The overview of the history of the first twenty years is inseparable from Dr. Zsolt Lukácskó, who was the founding director general of the college and then, after it had been declared to be a faculty, its first dean until 2007.
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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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INSTITUTIONAL BOOM IN SOCIALIST HIGHER EDUCATION, OR A COLLEGE IN EVERY TOWN?
128-145Views:97The Hungarian Historical Society and its South-Transdanubian Group organised a conference, titled ’Chapters from the history of education in Hungary’ in Mohács, Hungary, between 13 and 15 August 2025. It was at this conference that a lecture was given on the foundation of colleges that reviewed the evolution and transformation of the institutional network until 1990, with some references to subsequent reorganisations.
No such lecture can provide a complete picture, consequently, it mainly focused on the major junctions relying on bibliographic data. Although the principal topic was the evolution of the college network, the changes affecting universities also had to be mentioned since, during the transformation, integration and foundation attempts, such universities gathered up the colleges eventually often transforming them into university faculties. The first part of the three-part study reviews the fundamental changes until Act III of 1961 on the education system of the Hungarian People’s Republic was enacted; the second part examines the motivations behind the quantitative growth of the institutional network, while the third part showcases the changes in West-Transdanubia through the expansion of the higher education institutions (university, teacher training college) in Pécs, with a particular focus on Zala County, where it was impossible to establish an independent higher education institution.
