The Semmelweis Foundation located in Vienna has organized its international conference entitled Conference on Hospital Hygiene and Patient Safety for the second time on March 7-8, 2017 in Budapest. During the opening ceremony of the 2-day conference among others Dr. Ágoston Szél, Rector of Semmelweis University held an opening speech, as the leader of the largest and most renowned institution bearing the name of Ignaz Semmelweis.
The Summer University on Hungarian Language and Culture at Eötvös Loránd University prepared a present for Spring to those who are interested in Hungarian language and culture.
Semmelweis University has been ranked as 262nd according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking list, on the basis of which our university has achieved the best result in the field of life sciences and medicine among Hungarian higher-education institutions.
The delegation of Tokyo Medical University visited Semmelweis University on February 24-25, 2017, in the framework of which the collaboration has been reinforced on three different levels between the two institutions. Besides the Memorandum of Understanding a Sister Agreement as well as a Student Exchange Agreement were also signed by the representatives of both universities.
The members of the Japanese delegation, led by Dr. Mamoru Suzuki, President of Tokyo Medical University, were Dr. Miki Izumi, Professor of Medical Education, Ms. Aya Nagata, Coordinator of the Student Exchange Program and Dr. Mária Mernyei, Professor, who provided a lot of support in the organization of the delegation’s visit. The representatives of Tokyo Medical University were welcomed at Semmelweis University by Dr. Ágoston Szél, Rector, Dr. Miklós Molnár, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. József Sándor, Scientific Advisor of the Department of Surgical Research and Techniques, Dr. Marcel Pop, Director of International Relations and Dr. Judit Vadlövő, Project Coordinator of the Directorate of International Relations.
After a warm welcome Rector Szél said that he considers this visit very important, since the agreements signed during the discussion provide an opportunity for both Japanese and Hungarian students to study abroad in the framework of a training programme. Rector Szél expressed his gratitude to H.E. Dr. Kosuge Junichi, Ambassador of Japan in Hungary, who participated in the official discussion and the signing process together with Ms. Yoshiko Okamoto, Second Secretary of Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in Hungary. As Rector Szél pointed out, the presence of His Excellency at the discussion unquestionably proved the high level of Japanese-Hungarian relations.
Dr. Kosuge Junichi talked about the undergoing process of the reinforcement of Japanese-Hungarian political and economic relations, and he expressed his appreciation that this is also manifested in the academic relations.
Dr. Mamoru Suzuki, President of Tokyo Medical University, also highlighted the significance of the signing of these agreements: according to him the collaboration now has become official between the two institutions.
Dr. Miklós Molnár talked about the fact that more and more Japanese students study at Semmelweis University and he expressed his hope that Hungarian students will soon also have an opportunity to study in Japan. Dr. Molnár also said that our institution will be pleased to have Japanese professors as lecturers at Semmelweis University.
Dr. József Sándor emphasized among other things that both institutions have the same principles and purposes: a well-operating patient care system.
At the end of the discussion the leaders of both universities officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding, a Sister Agreement as well as a Student Exchange Agreement. These agreements contain regulations regarding the mutual student-, researcher- and staff exchange programme, the exchange of information between the two institutions as well as the organization of common lectures and seminars. The agreement related to the exchange of medical students provides the opportunity for the following: both universities to send and receive 2-2 graduating students for clinical training during one academic year, for maximum 8 weeks per student.
After the discussion and the official signing of the agreements the Japanese delegation visited the 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, where Dr. András Matolcsy, Director, welcomed the representatives of Tokyo Medical University. The delegation also visited the Heart and Vascular Centre, where they were welcomed by Dr. György Bárczi, Senior Lecturer. Dr. Bárczi introduced the facilities and the daily work of the Centre to our Japanese guests in details.
Pálma Dobozi
Source: Directorate of International Relations
Photo: Gábor Ancsin
Translated by: Katalin Romhányi
All the five faculties of Semmelweis University were represented at Educatio International Education Expo 2017. At the information desks Semmelweis students provided assistance to those who asked for information about the university. These Semmelweis students gave us their feedback about their experiences during the expo as follows.
“The majority of secondary school students arrived at the expo with a clear plan; some of them already knew what type of a physician he/she would like to become. Most of the questions were related to the content of the courses and the curriculum. For instance, they were interested in the amount of work required for a successful exam, or what the average is of unsuccessful exams. Many secondary school students asked about the content of practical training and about the period of specialization. We have received many questions regarding the quality of dormitories and the availability of space, also about language proficiency exams required for the entrance examination and the diploma, as well as about score limits. Some people also enquired about the preparatory course for the final examination organized by the university.”, said Zsófia Purman, member of the Students’ Union of the Faculty of Medicine.
“The recognition of the Faculty of Health and Public Services is continuously growing, which is also proven by the fact that every year more and more people visit our information desk at the Educatio Expo with a clear goal. Most of the students inquired about the courses and the job opportunities after graduation. The majority of people were interested in the programmes offered by the Institute of Digital Health Sciences, but many students wanted to hear more about mental health. According to our experiences it is the health related informatics and manager training about which students usually lack detailed information. For instance, it was new for many students that health related informatics also deal with financial questions, but everybody could get all the needed details at the information desks.”, said Réka Sára Kovács, President of the Students’ Union of the Faculty of Health and Public Services.
“Most of the secondary school students were interested in the dietetics and the physiotherapy programmes offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences. Most of the questions were related to the requirements of the entrance examination, courses, and job opportunities after graduation both in the common and private sectors. The information desk of the Faculty of Health Sciences was directly visited by people at the Educatio Expo: many students had a clear plan and asked their questions related to particular programmes accordingly.”, expressed László Kósa, President of the Students’ Union of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
“Many students asked us about why they should choose Semmelweis University, or why they should apply to the Faculty of Dentistry. They waited for a confirmation from us, medical students. In such cases we can provide assistance in the process of decision making with orientational questions related to the faculty. Among other things students asked what sort of knowledge they need for a successful admission (whether it is rather Chemistry or Physics), and about the course material. We could demonstrate the process of prosthesis-making by using visual aids. This way the discussion was more personal: we showed them what they are going to study here and we also talked about university life and life as a medical student.”, said Szabolcs Ferenczi, President of the Students’ Union of the Faculty of Dentistry.
“The questions were mostly related to the entrance examination, as well as university course material: how difficult Chemistry is and what they will study during the courses. Those students who visited our desk directly, in general knew that the university does not have a central campus, thus they wanted to know how unpleasant it might be to visit different buildings to attend classes. We also received questions about the university, the dormitory, scholarship opportunities and freshmen camps.”, said Viktor Erdősi, President of the Students’ Union of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
Pálma Dobozi, Eszter Keresztes, Szilvia Tóth-Szabó
Photo: Attila Kovács, Semmelweis University
Translated by: Katalin Romhányi