UPDATE 11th March 2020: Educational break at the University of Szeged
In order to prevent the spread of the new Coronavirus, subject to the decision of the University’s maintainer – keeping in mind the personal safety of the students – the Rector ordered a rectorial (educational) break for the 12th and the 13th of March.
In order to prevent the further spread of the virus, the Leadership of the University calls the attention of all University citizens to the following preventive and protective measures shall be followed:
- Pay attention to basic hygiene rules while at work. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with warm water and soap and avoid contact with people already infected.
- Keep monitoring your general health condition and contact your GP on the phone or via e-mail in case you develop symptoms.
A joint circular issued by the Rector and the Chancellor of the University of Szeged was published on the 26th February 2020 in order to protect the general health of the community of 30,000 university members. Among others, university members shall be exempted from work duties and attending lectures upon the arrival from an area where the spread of the coronavirus is confirmed.
Measures applying to employees
Excursions, short-term visits, missions to the areas mostly affected with the disease (see the list of the areas concerned on the website of the National Public Health Service of Hungary here: www.nnk.gov.hu) currently cannot be ordered nor authorized, and employees arriving back from such areas after 12th February 2020 shall be exempted from work duties for the following 14 days, with an absentee pay for the duration of leave. The reception of invited persons and delegations from the affected areas shall be postponed if possible. Employees working in health and patient care shall refrain from attending conferences and professional events abroad.
Employees working in healthcare, especially in patient care, technical-economic areas and administration are requested to suspend their private journeys abroad and postpone their trip after the end of the epidemiological situation.
Events organized by the University
Concerning the organization of events hosted by the University, a prior authorization of the event shall be requested from the Coronavirus Operative Committee via e-mail at coronavirus.jelentes@rekt.szte.hu. The request shall include the name, venue, type, date, duration and number of prospected participants.
Referral to media
The management of the University emphatically draws attention that the Rector and Chancellor of the University as well as the members of the Coronavirus Operative Committee – Prof. Dr. Csaba Lengyel, President of Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Centre; Prof. Dr. László Kovács, Vice President of Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Centre and Dr. Máté Dömötör, Director General for Legal and Administrative Affairs and Human Resources – are exclusively entitled to publish official statements and to impose any measures.
Concerning students
All students of the University of Szeged were informed by the joint circular issued by the Rector and the Chancellor of the University of Szeged that was published on the 26th February 2020 as well as through a circular sent on Neptun system.
To receive credible details and be fully informed, the University of Szeged has created a call line for university students which can be contacted 24/7. Via the +36 70 439 9279 phone number, students can receive information in both English and Hungarian regarding the Coronavirus disease.
In order to prevent the spread of the new Coronavirus, subject to the decision of the University’s maintainer – keeping in mind the personal safety of the students – the Rector hereby orders for the 12th and the 13th of March Rector’s (educational) break.
Examination of suspected cases
An operative professional group consisting of the colleagues of Albert Szent Györgyi Health Centre and representatives of professions concerned was set up back in January to impose measurements in a timely and the most effective manner. It has been stated that the coronavirus has not appeared yet in Szeged and all suspected cases will be transferred to Szent László Hospital in Budapest as imposed by the National Public Health Service of Hungary. Suspected cases will be isolated at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Albert Szent Györgyi Health Centre and patients with confirmed diagnosis will immediately be transferred to Szent László Hospital. No patient has been tested positive for coronavirus in Szeged so far.
In addition to skilled professionals, all necessary tools and protective equipment are at disposal at Albert Szent Györgyi Health Centre, as essential in the event of a possible increase in infections. The Health Centre is properly equipped to treat and isolate infected patients. An action plan concerning this matter has been elaborated.
The operative group is continuously monitoring recommendations of WHO, the National Public Health Service of Hungary and the Hungarian Government and imposes measurements in accordance with the latest information and on the basis of an epidemiological risk assessment.
Useful links in English:
Resolution for rectorial break
1/2020 (II.26.) Rector-Chancellor Circular regarding measures in connection with the spread of the coronavirus infection1/2020 (III.06.) Circular of the Coronavirus Operative Committee
2/2020 (III.09.) Circular of the Coronavirus Operative Committee
3/2020 (III.09.) Circular of the Coronavirus Operative Committee
4/2020. (III.11.) Circular of the Coronavirus Operative Committee
Useful links in German:
Rundschreiben Nr. 1/2020 (III.06) des Operativen Coronavirus-AusschussesRundschreiben Nr. 2/2020 (III.09) des Operativen Coronavirus-Ausschusses
Rundschreiben Nr. 3/2020 (III.09.) des Operativen Coronavirus-Ausschusses
SZTE Experience
Ahmad Adha - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
I am Ahmad Adha from Indonesia and currently a 3rd year student in Theoretical Linguistics PhD program. I chose the University of Szeged (SZTE) as my study destination because it is located in the center of the town and it is also the highest ranked university in Hungary. The university staff and the professors were very accommodating and understanding when I decided to change the program that suits my research topic. I am so glad that I can be a part of my current department, and of course SZTE, since it is also the Center of Pragmatic Research which aims to promote advanced linguistic pragmatic research with international collaborations. After graduating, I wish to continue to work in my academic field as a professor and a researcher. My advice for prospective SZTE students is to choose a university with a good academic reputation that fits their passion.
Nikki - Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies
My name is Nikki and I am from Iran. Currently I am a second year student studying Physiotherapy at the University of Szeged. I really like the Environment of Szeged as it is a true University City where you can meet people from around the world. I consider Szeged as my second home since I have established my own path here and I have a lot of friends who make me feel home. The reason why I came to Szeged is because I was informed by one of my friends about the fact that the University degrees are EU accredited and will help me to reach my goals and open doors for future job opportunities. Once I have obtained my degree, I would like to stay in Hungary and pursue a post graduate program. Later on I will seize the opportunity to gain some job experience in my field here in Hungary before I hold my ground in Europe.
