Dr. Ilona Pajtókné Tari, newly reappointed for another five years as rector of Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, presented the results of the 2024-25 academic year at a press conference on July 2. She emphasized achievements in education, research, the arts, sports, social responsibility, sustainability, and international partnerships.
Reflecting on the university’s heritage, the rector noted that the community’s expertise and integrity create what they call the “Eszterházy feeling.” This year’s double jubilee celebrated both 250 years since the start of teaching within the Lyceum’s walls and the 300th anniversary of founder Bishop Károly Eszterházy’s birth. Events included a thanksgiving mass, wreath-laying, a two-day historical conference, and a classical music concert.
Eszterházy University maintained its strong position in global rankings. It placed among the top institutions in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which evaluate universities on contributions to goals such as poverty reduction and climate protection. The university also retained its standing in the Quacquarelli Symonds European ranking.
This year saw the launch of new programs in psychology and engineering management in Eger, as well as mechanical engineering in Jászberény in partnership with Óbuda University. The rector also highlighted the Erasmus+ EU GIFT project, an alliance of seven European universities focused on quality food, sustainable agriculture, and viticulture.
A new Faculty of Arts was established, bringing the university’s total to six faculties. Eszterházy hosted the National Scientific Students’ Associations Conference (OTDK) in arts and art studies, welcoming about 1,000 participants. These efforts helped the university earn the “University of the Year 2025” title in the culture and arts category.
Eszterházy also celebrated sports successes, with its handball teams winning national titles and the volleyball team taking silver. Geography student Ábel Molnár climbed the world’s highest volcano, Ojos del Salado, proudly displaying the university flag.
The university continues to support students and staff with family-friendly initiatives. It recently received the Family-Friendly Workplace Award for the sixth time and operates a campus child care program. Spiritual life also remains central, as seen with the campus hosting the Carpathian Basin University Chaplaincies Meeting.
Rector Pajtókné Tari thanked all students and staff, stating that “the credit belongs to all of us, the glory to God.” Admissions results were also strong, with a ten percent rise in applications and nearly 4,100 first-choice applicants, making Eszterházy the 11th most popular among Hungary’s 62 higher education institutions.
The university expects to award nearly 1,400 diplomas this year, with graduation ceremonies held on July 3 and 4 in Eger and earlier on June 28 in Jászberény.
Source: Eszterházy Károly Catholic University & Nagy Adri, Molnár Ábel, Szántó György
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