THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE SZEGED SCIENTISTS ACADEMY INTO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENTIST EDUCATION
In 2013, the Foundation for the Future of Biomedical Sciences in Szeged launched the Szeged Scientists Academy program. Building on its achievements over the years, the Foundation was renamed the National Biomedical Foundation in 2021, when the program expanded nationwide as the National Academy of Scientist Education (NASE), encompassing all Hungarian cities with higher education in the area of human life sciences (Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged), with the support of the Hungarian government.
In the short term, the program still aims to engage and support talented young people interested in biomedical and natural science research, helping them in their scientific work and making a career in science more attractive. In the long run, the Academy seeks to encourage young researchers to build their careers in Hungary.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENTIST EDUCATION
One of the essential innovations of the educational processes of the Szeged Scientists Academy, and then of the National Academy of Scientist Education is that it guides students who are talented in research through the steps of becoming a scientist from their secondary school years.
The 7 National and the 27 Regional Education Centres
The principal education of the secondary school pupils takes place in seven National Education Centres (in Debrecen, Gödöllő, Hódmezővásárhely, Pécs, Szeged and Szombathely) and 27 Regional Education Centres.
The Regional Education Centres are led by the Szent-Györgyi Senior Teachers whose primary task is to find and mentor the pupils within their region who are particularly interested in natural sciences and are later planning to choose a research career.
The professional background to the regular theoretical and practical trainings organized by the Senior Teachers is constantly provided by the Academy.
The NASE’s Scientific Partner Institutions
University students pursue their studies in four cities (Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged) across eight Scientific Laboratories, located in the country’s best-equipped research facilities and guided by outstanding experts - the so-called Szent-Györgyi Mentors. In each laboratory, a team of mentors welcomes the students who begin their research work alongside their university studies. To support them academically, some students may also follow an individual curriculum which allows them to independently schedule their laboratory presence as required by their research. Importantly, high-level research activity should never compromise general academic obligations.
The work of the Szent-Györgyi Mentors is supported by an International Mentor Team of nearly 60 members including outstanding researchers, even several Nobel Laureates.
The first dormitory of the Academy was opened in Szeged and has been available for the university students since September 2022.
THE BERT SAKMANN DORMITORY
The Academy aims to provide a highly motivating, high-quality environment that meets the program’s professional standards for all participants.
This vision became a reality in Szeged in the spring of 2022 with the opening of the Academy’s first dormitory – the Bert Sakmann Dormitory. In addition to several student rooms, the dormitory features an international mentor room, where Nobel Laureates and other internationally renowned mentors can comfortably spend their time in the company of young people. A dedicated community and educational space has also been created, hosting cultural programs, professional forums and training sessions for the Academy’s students.
The aim of the Academy is to educate broad-minded intellectuals who, in addition to their excellent professional knowledge, will be useful members of society.
In the summer of 2022, Professor Bert Sakmann donated the original duplicate of his Nobel Prize medal and diploma to the Academy, which are exhibited in the dormitory named after him, to the delight of the visitors and the students living there.
