The Hungarian Student, 1958 (2. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1958 / 6. szám
the Hungarian student Technical University of Budapest by ANDREW L. SIMON, Dipl. Eng. 6 STUDENTS IN CANADA (Continued from p. 5.) to the universities from coast to coast. With the co-operation of the Department of Immigration, students who were accepted at distant universities were transferred to the cities where they were to continue their studies. Intensive courses in English were organized in Montreal through the joint efforts of NCCU and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The first classes opened on February 18, 1957 and were held in church halls until March when they were moved to Petőfi House. Petőfi House was the residence made available by the Principal and Board of Governors of McGill University for the use of Hungarian refugee students. All Hungarian students were admitted, regardless of the university to which application for admission had been made. Many went subsequently to universities in various parts of Canada. Other English language centers were organized through the co-operation of the universities and the Department of Immigration and groups of Hungarian students were sent to Hamilton, Ontario, London, Ontario, Kingston, Ontario, Edmonton, Alberta, and Fredericton, New Brunswick. Here they attended intensive English courses until May 31, 1957 and then were given help in finding summer employment. As of September 30, 1957, 658 students had registered at the NCCU Students’ Centre. In addition, two groups of students from the University of Sopron consisting of 193 students of Forestry Engineering and seventy-six students of Mining Engineering had gone to the Universities of British Columbia and Toronto respectively. Thus, there were a total of 958 Hungarian students in Canada at that time. The Engineering students made up the largest group of these—approximately 60 per cent—with Science, over 8 per cent and Medicine, including Dentistry, Pharmacology and Pre-Med over 8 per cant, making up the largest groups of the remaining faculties. Approximately 4 per cent decided not to continue their studies. Of these, by far the greatest number were the wives of students who had either been students themselves or were eligible to continue their studies. A total number of 531 students were admitted among forty universities across Canada. This number will increase by the addition of those who will register for the first time in September 1958. Until that time, total figures on Hungarian students attending universities in Canada will not be available. T HE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY of Budapest is a state school. It was founded in 1860. The curriculum of every engineering student is compulsory, established by a board of professors at the University and the Ministry of Education. During recent years the school system went through some slight changes. The ancient European methods were reformed according to Soviet ones. A few years later, however, Soviet universities began to use the European system. The number of students totals approximately 12,000; faculty members 600. The faculties are equally developed and equipped by the state. They consist of the following: Mechanical engineering Electrical ” Civil Chemical ” Architectural ” There is no degree system in Hungary as there is in other parts of Europe. The University gives the title of Diplomed Engineer. The Doctor Technicus title is also obtainable after candidacy, dissertation, personal research, publications, and final examination. The basis for admission is the passing of a state mature examination. (See The Hungarian Student, February 1958 issue.) Before admission an aptitude test on mathematics and science is held by the board of the University. Each application must be approved by the Ministry of Education. Those who pass the test (about 20-30 per cent) and are approvëd by the Ministry, may register with the faculties. The students attend lectures held by the professors, and seminars held by assistant professors, reiterating and explaining the same subject matter, or giving quizzes. There are two to four quizzes and two to four drawings required per course. Before a student can pass a course, he must take oral, or written and oral examinations. During the summer, the student has to do field work plus one month special military service. The student admitted to the faculty of Civil Engineering has to take the obligatory courses in the first two years. After the second year, the sudent must pass qualifying oral examinations before a faculty committee on the following main subjects: Mathematics Mechanics Geodesy It is mandatory to pass these examinations before further studies. In the third and fourth years, Civil Engineering is divided into three different branches: Bridges Hydraulics Roads and Railroads The curriculum of these branches is the same but each branch has its main subjects in greater detail than in other subjects. After the Absolutorium, when all courses are successfully completed, the student obtains his thesis from the Faculty. Three guiding advisors are named to help the student, one from the Faculty, and two from industry. The subject of the thesis contains an industrial design and a detailed theoretical dissertation on a special problem. The final examination is held when the presented thesis is accepted by the advisors. Seven members plus the Ministry of Education are named to the examination board by the University. The first part of the examination is a defense of the thesis; the second part an examination of the student on his main branch subjects. The final examination has to be passed within two years from the absolvation. Two years’ training in the construction industry is obligatory for full qualification. There is no credit hour system at the Technical University of Budapest. Nevertheless, we may itemize the courses on the following basis: 1 lecture hour (per week a semester) = 1 credit hour. 3 seminar hours (per week a semester) = 1 credit hour. The listings have been made according to the Index or lecture book, and the available official textbooks written for these courses by the lecturer which are ordered by the Ministry of Education. Thus we can see that Hungarian engineering students must work hard to earn their degree at the Technical University of Budapest. Hungarian Section Three Poems and an Essay. The Editors of The Hungarian Student held a poetry, essay, and short story contest a few months ago. Manuscripts were sent by Hungarian students from all over the world. In the poetry contest László Baránszky Job won first prize, Sándor Nyári won second prize, and Ádám Józsinczy came in third. In the essay contest, no first or second prizes were awarded. Endre Zaják won third prize with an essay about Innsbruck. The writings of these four contest winners is published in the Hungarian Section. Winners of the short story contest will be announced in a later issue.
