The young people who filled the lecture hall in the Chemistry Building participated in the Friday afternoon event not only as students but also as active researchers. Organized by the International Student Union (ISU), the event has now outgrown its original scope: while it began in its first year as a small-scale faculty event, this year it attracted more than 300 registered participants, and thanks to the live stream to adjacent rooms, as many as 450 interested individuals were able to join the program.
At the opening of the event, the dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology emphasized that the education provided here is inseparable from scientific work.
- All of our degree programs are built on a very strong research foundation. We are talking about world-class research, and we expect every faculty member to contribute to the advancement of their field through their own research. However, this work is not an end in itself: we strive to actively involve students in the research as well. While this has been a natural part of the experience for Hungarian students for decades, for international students it is a novel and exciting opportunity that we are working to promote in collaboration with ISU- said Ferenc Kun.
He added: Today, international students—numbering about 800—make up one-third of the faculty’s student body, coming from more than a hundred countries, thus creating an exceptionally rich cultural and academic environment from which Hungarian students can also benefit.
The conference’s professional diversity was reflected in the five keynote presentations, which explored cutting-edge issues in technology and the natural sciences. For example, the audience learned about Shruti Sharma’s research on 3D-printed, shape-shifting drone wings and Leon Ibraj’s presentation on the role of silver and gold nanostructures in molecular detection.
Biology and environmental science also played a prominent role: Haniehsadat Kazemi examined the pathogenicity and probiotic potential of yeast, Afshan Khan guided participants through the world of proteins responsible for cell health, while Sumaya Zaman analyzed the heat island phenomena and environmental challenges of major Central European cities—Vienna, Rome, and Zagreb.
Yazan Alzaied, the faculty president of the International Student Union (ISU), emphasized that the conference is not only about showcasing academic milestones but also about community building. Although the focus is on the Faculty of Science and Technology, the event is becoming increasingly open: students from the Faculty of Informatics and the Faculty of Engineering were also represented, with attendees coming from other universities, too.
According to the organizers, the high quality of the presentations faithfully reflects the caliber of international research conducted at the University of Debrecen; from basic research to direct product development, students are making lasting contributions at every level.
Press Center-TB