Introduction of Organisers of IOI 2023

The University of Szeged (SZTE) celebrates its 100^th anniversary in 2021, however, it traces its origins back to 440 years. Its predecessor institution was founded by István Báthory, Prince of Transylvania and King of Poland, on 12 May 1581 in Cluj-Napoca. It was relocated in 1921 to Szeged, Hungary as „Hungary’s second university of science”. With the support of Kuno Klebelsberg, the Minister of Culture, the University of Szeged became the new „Göttinga by the river Tisza”. It was here that Nobel laureate Albert Szent-Györgyi carried out his research on biological combustion processes, with special reference to vitamin C and the catalysis of fumaric acid. It was also here that Katalin Karikó studied and earned her graduate degree in Biology, and later on her PhD in biochemistry. With her discovery of the mRNA technology, she paved the way for the development of the vaccine that played a key role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

With more than 8,000 employees – including more than 2,200 teachers and researchers – and its 22,000 students, the University of Szeged is one of Hungary’s most popular and internationally ranked higher education institutions. SZTE has been ranked among the world’s top 400 universities in the latest Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, that measures and assesses university commitment to sustainability across four areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. SZTE was ranked the best university in Hungary by the 2022 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings of higher education institutions, with an overall position of 551-560th. The University of Szeged was the first Hungarian higher education institution to be listed on the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings.

Students at the University of Szeged can choose from a large variety of programmes in 13 different fields of study, many offered in English, German, French and other languages. Currently more than 4,000 international students participate in one of the 70 full-time international study programmes. The R&D and innovation activities of the institution are internationally recognized, and SZTE has developed strategic relationships with industrial partners in the field of R&D&I, as well as the world’s most advanced laser centre, ELI-ALPS. SZTE’s clinical network serves the population of the cross-border region with internationally renowned medical education, research results and high-quality health care. The institution is one of Hungary’s most prestigious educational-, health-, scientific- and innovation centres, which – together with its vibrant cultural life – makes it one of the leading cultural, economic and intellectual centres of not only the Southern Great Plain region but the whole country. SZTE is a member of the EUGLOH (European University Alliance for Global Health) project, participates in the European University Association, as well as the SGroup European Universities’ Network.