Faculty of Materials and Chemical Engineering
Keeping up our traditions
When the freshmen arrive on the campus of UM in September, they are overwhelmed by the spectacle, which is not only impressive from a bird’s eye view. Although the university campus is part of the city, it is a world apart in the 85-hectare park of the Dudujka Valley. A variety of services make life easier here on one of Europe’s most beautiful campuses.
Freshmen who move into the Bolyai dormitories can lay their heads down to sleep in one of the largest dormitory systems in the country. With six buildings and rooms of 2, 3 or 4 beds, it is home to around 1,500 students. The Uni-Hotel, with another 603 beds, is located next to the modernised student halls of residence.
The faculty was founded in 1735 under the name of “Berg-schola”, and its success enabled Empress Maria Theresa to elevate the institution to the status of a higher education institution on 22 October 1762 under the name of “Academia Montanistica”. The term covered both mining and metallurgy. In the 18th century, the transport of mined ore was difficult, so smelters were set up right next to the mines. The Academy was a well-known and sought-after centre for mining, metallurgy and related sciences throughout Europe.
The Hungarian training of materials engineers started here in Miskolc in 1993 under the leadership of Professor Dr. Pál Bárczy. His name is also known more widely in connection with Miskolc’s research into space materials. The city’s heavy industry past has provided an excellent environment for materials engineering, which links to metal and metallurgical industries worldwide.
The interests of young university citizens are represented by the Student and Doctoral Student Council (HÖK). Those who are interested in programmes and scholarships abroad can also benefit from the help of several student organisations. At the same time, there are also many self-study groups, clubs and activities. The university’s indoor sports hall, renovated in 2017, is surrounded by handball, tennis, and basketball courts, athletics fields and football pitches, and a municipal swimming pool is located on campus. Every year you can take part in the “Deer Chaser” University and College Relay Race and the Selmec Memorial Run. Another important event is the Materials Engineering Sports Day, where students compete in various sports against teams of lecturers.
The Selmecbánya Academy has a colourful student tradition. As the academy was unique, almost all students came from far away. Experienced, older students helped the younger ones to manage in these new surroundings. Of course, this meant “testing” whether the newcomer was worthy of trust. This was and still is the purpose of the “balek” education, with a few jokes and pranks thrown in, because serious rules cannot exist without fun. Examinations and initiations of new members, shared entertainment and singing together are typical features. The students shaped the customs to their own taste, dropping and adding things. Of course, life was not all fun and games. They formed their own aid societies to support needy students. They held charity balls and get-togethers and nursed their sick peers, sometimes donating blankets, pillows or firewood. They also paid for the funerals of their deceased companions. Over the decades, traditions have changed, but the main point remains the same: to love your vocation, to help your fellow students and to live as happy a student life as possible.
