More than 12,000 freshers are beginning their studies at the University of Debrecen as of this September. At the ceremonial senate meeting of the university on Sunday for marking the start of the new academic year, Minister for Education and Children’s Affairs Judit Lannert underlined that the future of Hungary is inseparable from the University of Debrecen, which serves as a model for other institutions of higher education in our country in so many respects. This year’s ceremony was also about honoring outstanding contributions to the reputation of our university. It was for the first time that titles of rector emeritus and decanus emeritus were conferred upon former leaders who have played a decisive part in the history of the institution.
Hírek Award címkével
Gábor Sramkó, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology, has received unique international recognition. The Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia honored him with a state award for his work in developing Mongolian-Hungarian bilateral relations and education in Mongolia. The biologist-researcher, who specializes on the genetic protection of endangered plant and animal species, received the highest professional recognition, awarded to foreigners only in exceptional cases.
A research team at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Debrecen has explored the connection between periodontal disease, as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), and its possible inflammatory, microbial and genetic background. The research team members concluded that periodontitis is normally associated with a heightened risk of developing later neuro-degenerative diseases, even after having been accounted for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, metabolic and inflammatory comorbidities.
Andrea Nagy has become the recipient of a prestigious award in recognition of her exceptional commitment to promoting French language and culture. The head of the French Department within the Institute of Mediterranean Languages and Cultures at the Faculty of Humanities (BTK) of the University of Debrecen (UD) has received the Knight’s Cross of the French Order of Academic Palms (Ordre des Palmes académiques) from Ambassador Jonathan Lacôte at a ceremony held in the French Ambassador’s Residence in Budapest.
The Chinese director of our Confucius Institute (CI) at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Debrecen has become the recipient of a highly prestigious recognition. In 2025, the leadership of Tianjin Foreign Studies University honored Professor Cui Xianjun by awarding him the title of Best Chinese Director of the Year in the pool of directors from as many as seven CIs that they operate as partner institutions.
Gert Loosen has received a prestigious award and high honor from the monarch of Belgium for his outstanding work in expanding and improving Hungarian-Belgian cultural and professional relations. Assistant Professor at the Institute of German Studies at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Debrecen and Director of the Dutch-Flemish Center in Debrecen, Professor Loosen received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of the Crown on December 9 at a ceremony held at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium to Hungary.
The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Debrecen awarded this year’s Debrecen Prize for Molecular Medicine to molecular geneticist Jeffrey M. Friedman, a medical researcher at the Rockefeller University of New York. The professor and his colleagues identified leptin, a hormone produced by adipose tissue, which plays a role in regulating body weight. Professor Jeffrey M. Friedman received the award at a ceremony held at the University of Debrecen on Tuesday, after which he gave a lecture on the causes and treatment options of obesity.
This year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine goes to Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell of the United States and Shimon Sakaguchi of Japan. In 2023, the Japanese professor's scientific work was recognized with the Debrecen Award for Molecular Medicine by the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Debrecen. Since the award was established, the professor at Osaka University is the third recipient to receive a Nobel Prize.
Topics such as the harmonization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with medical research, the role of artificial intelligence and network pharmacology, as well as opportunities in next-generation pharmaceuticals and theranostics, were discussed at the Doctor Honoris Causa Symposium on Thursday. At the scientific session, Professor Shao Li– member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and Director of the Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Tsinghua University – presented his research findings. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Debrecen on Friday.
The University of Debrecen was named University of the Year in the student-friendly category at the first-ever awards gala, where Chancellor Zoltán Bács received a special ministerial prize for his professional work. At the ceremony, the Ministry of Culture and Innovation honored Hungarian universities in as many as eight categories.