SOTE CENTER EDUCATION

Today, there are four main areas where Semmelweis University has its facilities: By the Klinikk metro stop This is the biggest area and is rightfully named Klinikk (clinics); the NET building at Nagyvarad square (Picture 1) the third tallest building in downtown Budapest. It is in the process of being renovated and one of the most visited buildings by first, second and third year students; the brand new main building in the Tzolt street. Houses most of the first and second year subjects and is as close to a main campus building one can get at Semmelweis University; and the old secretariat building at Ulloi boulevard 26 This used to be where the English and German secretariat had their offices, but they have both moved to the new main building in Tzolt street. Still, Pathology Department One (third year) and Internal Medicine Department two (third-fifth year) are still there. With the end of the socialism and the begin of the process of democratisation, which started in 1989, important changes happened for the University, the most significant of which was probably the restoration of its autonomy.In the late 1990s, in the spirit of institutional integration, the reform of the network of Hungarian higher education was on the agenda, the aim of which was a rational integration of the fragmented institutional structure. On first of January of 2000, Semmelweis University of Medicine (SOTE) merged with the Imre Haynal University of Health Sciences (HIETE) and the University of Physical Education (TF), and renamed Semmelweis University. With the addition of the Faculty of Health and Public Services in 2010, the University now comprises a total of six faculties, namely the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences and the aforementioned Faculty of Health- and Public Services.As the greatest investments of this latter period, one should certainly mention the transplantation and surgical clinics which were commissioned in the early 1990s, the new Dentistry Centre, as well as the new Basic Medical Science Centre on Tzolt street (Picture 2).The brand new main building in Tzolt street in the ninth district, (metro stop Klinikk) Hosts almost all the first and second year classes (except Anatomy, Histology and Embryology a big subject that is across the street, in the Department of Anatomy). The University carries the maximum total of nearly four thousand people and the students are not only from Hungary but also from several other countries. The most significant development in the training of foreign students was arguably the commencement of classes in German and English in 1983 and 1989, respectively. In part as a direct result of this, the number of international students continued to rise right through the regime change, and they continue to be important pillars of the University to this day.For the construction of the new campus was done a contest to name who would be responsible for the architectural design. The winner office of the contest was the M-Teampannon LTD., With the team consisting of architects: Noll Tams, Madzin Attila, Golda Jnos, Juhari Katalin; Interior designer: Csavarga Rzsa; architect staff: sztai Blint, Seljn Mrk, Mszros Erzsbet, Hidasnmeti Mt, Akucs Levente, Varga Bence.A new building integrating five separate theoretical institutions and a 1300 m2 public area was created during the first stage. The positioning of the building was partly defined by the adjoining block in Tzolt street. Eventually a passage way is to be opened here that will, according to the plans, connect the new public area with lli road and the Klinikk subway station.Semmelweis University is a new home for the students and researchers since October 2008 on 27 000 square meters (Picture 3). Its main goal is to serve the higher student and researcher number.The building reflects the 21st century by its elegance and functionality (Picture 4). It is significant of its capacious, wide rooms and glass hall style by which it can be a popular location for daytime events too. Besides its functionality, its approximately 5000 square meter area has locations appropriate for grand events too. The rental possibility of the auditoriums (Picture 5) in the educational area (one for 300 person, two for 180 person and two for 80 person), the elegant hall and gallery (2600 square meters) assures high quality locations for the events. The university restaurant Darwin Cafes professional background assures the service of trainings, postgraduate courses and partner meetings. The buffets available at the location are perfectly appropriate for the flexible catering of the occurring service of conferences, seminars and exhibitions. There are five academic institutions: Department of Physiology and Experimental Research and Human Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Biophysics and Radiation Biology and Medical Chemistry, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Biology Institute Pato.The structure of the building marked by geometric features comprises a large expanse of flat slabs and reinforced concrete columns (Picture 6). The slabs with a thickness of 25 inches allow longer spans which contributes to the thermal comfort of the place and a better organization of space.The inner structures of the university are simple, using the transparency to ensure natural lighting of the space and the feeling of an airy environment, besides giving a modern air on the facade of the building (Picture 7). With the use of Natural materials such as wooden surfaces and natural stone revetments, the designers' intention was to reflect on the ambiance of the University's older buildings (Picture 8). The block is defined by three inner courts; the poured-floor is the work of artist Antal rknyi.The architectural design, which won the Budapest Architecture Award in 2008, maintains the traditions of the old university buildings but with more modern architectural and construction solutions (Picture 9).

Picture 1: The Universitys NET building, shortly after its construction in 1976 (SE Archives)

Picture 2: The location of the new building in Tzolt street.Picture 2: The location of the new building in Tzolt street

Picture 3: The Project of the new building.

Picture 4: The facade of the ??? street.

Picture 5: Auditorium.

Picture 6: The structure of the building.

Picture 7: Natural light due to the glass facade of the building.

Picture 8: Natural materials used on the interior decoration.

Picture 9: The mean facade of the Semmelweis University.