Walleshausen Gyula: A magyaróvári agrárfelsőoktatás 175 éve (1818-1913) (Mosonmagyaróvár, 1993)

10. A Pannon Agrártudományi Egyetem, Mezőgazdaságtudományi Kar, Mosonmagyaróvár - napjainkban

started again with a three-year training system but under very poor conditions as the university building was nearly destroyed and plundered and there was few equipment and instruments available.

Among the students were many who were sent to university by the party with a high scholarship, but without any preparatory classes. The returned teachers and lecturers and some of the new ones tended to meet the former requirements at the Academy of “Óvár” (a common abbreviation of Mosonmagyaróvár)., The commanders kept a sharp eye on the rate of failure, because the rate was found to be too high.

During those years social tensions became stronger and stronger. The failures during the building of socialism could not be corrected. On 23rd October 1956 a big demonstration was organized in the capital. The commanders of the party wanted to break it up using violence. But revolution broke out and spread over the country very quickly. A peaceful demonstration was organized in our town on 26th October as well. However, the remaining armed forces of the subverted power applied volleyfiring against the demonstrators: 106 fell victim in the massacre and several hundreds were injured. Six students of the Academy died and many were injured seriously.

After the revolution had been suppressed by Soviet troops, an extremely merciless reprisal followed. Many innocent people were executed or put into prison. The director of the Academy and his deputy were imprisoned and many teachers and lecturers of the Academy were dismissed. A lot of students were called to account and disciplined. Many escaped revenge by going abroad.

In autumn 1957, in order to lessen tension, the gevernment allowed three academies to transform into “higher educational institutions with university level”. Training now took four years, but the names of the faculties remained unchanged. In 1959 a Land-research Department and a Training Farm were established at the Academy.

VIII. (1962-1970)

In 1962 the institution was renamed again. It received the name of Agricultural College and was governed by a rector. This was a sign of lessening oppression.

In 1959 a campaign had been started to organize agricultural co-operations, but ended with very disappointing results. Although the commanders expedted that agriculture would improve the poor economic situation of the country, the steps taken had contradictory results and essentially agricultural production decreased. Although the government spoke of the importance of higher education and the practical aspects of training, the College was deprived of its training farm. Some party cadres had the exceptional chance to attend university and graduate without secondary education.

The conditions for education became better at this time. The castle building was renovated, flats for teachers and a hostel were built and an isotope laboratory was installed as well. The subsidy amounts were raised and more intense research work could have been completed. A Production- Development Department was organized with the task of analyzing the profitability of research work. Based on traditional lectures programmes for the public, the College organized an Agricultural University Extension programme named after Újhelyi Imre. Up to this point foreign relations were restricted to the Eastern-countries. In 1963 superiors approved opening relations with the “Hochschule für Bodenkultur” (College of Soil Cultivation in Vienna). Soon after the strict entrance examinations and instructions were made easier and some of the most talented but “class-alien” students could have been admitted, too. 10—15 % of the students carried out some research work in Scientific Students’ Circles at the College. The College had a successful folk dance ensamble and sports teams. Horse back riding was possible again. Since 1967 the educational period has been 5 years and post-graduate training has been started as well.

On the occasion of the 150th aniversary, scientific lectures, discussions, cultural programmes, graduates’ meetings and several exhibitions were organized.

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