This year, Obuda University is celebrating the 145th anniversary of the founding of its first predecessor, the State Secondary Industrial School in Budapest. This founding event marks the starting point of a three-century history for what is now the Bánki Donát Faculty of Mechanical and Safety Engineering. As part of the Hungarian Science Day series, the conference titled “145 Years in the Service of Industrial Education: From Industrial School to University Faculty” was held on November 12, 2024. This event commemorated not only the founding but also several other milestone anniversaries in the institution’s history.
In his opening remarks, Professor Dr. Mihály Réger quoted the speech of Director Károly Hegedűs delivered at the ceremonial opening of the Industrial School: “The goal is not to create someone who knows a little about everything, a dilettante, but rather a thinking and knowledgeable individual…” Professor Dr. Zoltán Rajnai, Dean of the Faculty, in his welcome speech, highlighted the continuous expansion and development of the Faculty, comparable to the dynamic progress seen in the decades following its founding.
Dr. József Gáti, in his presentation titled “145 Years in the Service of Industrial Education: The Era of the Industrial School and Higher Industrial School,” provided an overview of the rich history of the State Secondary Industrial School, which opened on December 7, 1879, with departments in architecture, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. From its initial premises to the “Palace of Industrial Education” designed by Professor Alajos Hauszmann, Dr. Gáti covered the school’s historical journey up to 1947, illustrated with original drawings, period newspapers, and archival documents.
János Kuti, in his presentation “145 Years in the Service of Industrial Education: An Overview from Technical Schools to the Higher Technical School Era,” guided participants through the evolution of new types of technical secondary schools established by Government Decree No. 13970/1947. He discussed the era of technical schools, leading up to the establishment of the Higher Technical School of Mechanical Engineering.
Dr. Sándor Horváth presented “The Life and Work of Donát Bánki,” introducing one of Hungary’s greatest mechanical engineers and his key contributions. He discussed Bánki’s scientific achievements that significantly impacted the field of mechanical engineering, his exemplary teaching methods, and the personal greatness of the man for whom the Faculty is named.
In his lecture titled “From Higher Technical Training to University-Level Engineering Education at Bánki,” Dr. Béla Palásti Kovács traced the evolution of higher education at Bánki Donát Mechanical Engineering Technical College, which began in 1969. He discussed the institution’s collaborative programs with other Budapest technical colleges, its integration in 2000 to form Budapest Polytechnic, and the Faculty’s subsequent integration into buda University, established with five faculties on January 1, 2010.
Professor Dr. Zoltán Rajnai’s presentation, “The BGK’s Revitalized Educational, Research, and Innovation Portfolio (2015–2024),” reviewed the past decade of significant progress in funding and in educational and research conditions. He introduced new adult education initiatives, their business model, developments in human resources, and extensive expansion of building infrastructure, turning long-standing aspirations into reality. His description of the Science and Innovation Park’s development highlighted that, alongside Budapest and its surroundings, the Somogy region also benefited from these advancements.
Finally, Máté Bátori, leader of the Donát Bánki Heritage Preservation Circle, concluded the conference with a presentation titled “145 Years in the Service of Industrial Education: Preserving Traditions Today.” He introduced the Heritage Preservation Circle, an independent organization founded by four enthusiastic Bánki students in spring 2005. The presentation included photos illustrating the organization of traditional ceremonies, graduations, commemorative excursions to honor Donát Bánki, annual wreath-laying at his grave, and memorials of distinguished “Bánki alumni” to continue preserving these traditions.
Complementing the conference’s theme, a commemorative exhibition awaits visitors in the entrance hall of the József Boulevard wing, and additional historical displays are set up in the hallway near the conference room for further insights into the history of predecessor institutions.
Dr. József Gáti
Translated by Emese Dávid-Tóth
