ELI (Extreme Light Infrastructure) Laser Research Centre
The Extreme Light Infrastructure Attosecond Light Pulse Source (ELI-ALPS) Laser Research Centre is one of the pillars of this infrastructure was built in Szeged and is one of the largest scientific investments in Europe, with support from the European Union amounting to over 70 billion HUF.
The purpose of ELI-ALPS is to establish a unique, laser-based European user research facility where ultrashort laser pulses and light sources will be accessible for international researchers. ELI-ALPS’ Lasers will able to generate the shortest and greatest number of laser pulses per second so far. This allows researchers to examine elementary intramolecular physical processes and also provides unparalleled infrastructure to carry out basic and applied research on an ultrafast timescale for outstanding research results in biology, medicine and material sciences. There is a cooperation agreement between ELI-ALPS and the University resulting in the collaboration in the organisation of research projects and training programmes. The entire complex was opened in May 2017 and the facility will become fully operational in 2019.
A scientific industrial park is planned in a 80-hectare area surround the ELI-ALPS facility and is welcoming all start-up and successful businesses that could utilize the laser research centre and are drawn to Szeged by the inspirational atmosphere of the city. The Hungarian Molecular Medicine Centre of Excellence will also operate in the ELI Science Park and will be established as a large scientific investment of the EU. An automotive industry competence centre may also be formed in conjunction with the University of Kecskemét. The first facilities were opened in 2019.
SZTE Experience
Ferdous Rahman – Faculty of Law and Political Sciences
My name is Ferdous Rahman and I am from Bangladesh. I am pursuing doctoral studies at the Department of Private International Law at the Faculty of Law and Political Science under the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme. Currently I am in the first year of my four-year PhD programme. I came to know about SZTE while exploring for the Stipendium Hungaricum programme. Among the other available options, this was my first choice. Apart from its excellent ranking, I got my supervisor with similar research interest. The increasing number of international students gave me a comfort of having a cosmopolitan environment. After starting my studies here in September 2019, I am convinced that I could not expect more. For prospective students, I would advise that SZTE can be their next home as I got mine. Everyone here including the professors, the administrators, and the students are very friendly and helpful. They make studies a joyous journey instead of pile of classes and books. After my graduation, I will return to my home country. The knowledge and the experience that I have been receiving here will be a great resource for my academic career. I intend to continue my research further and expect to contribute to policy formulation at national and international level."
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.
