UK-owned DS Smith Packaging Hungary will invest HUF 12.7bn (EUR 34.4m) at three bases in Hungary, boosting production capacity by over 40 pc, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced on Monday.
Szijjártó said in a statement issued by his ministry that the investments will be undertaken at bases in Füzesabony, Nagykáta, and Győr.
He noted that UK-owned companies employ around 50,000 people in Hungary, of which DS Smith employs over 1,000.
DS Smith said the EUR 34.4m investment would be completed in April 2026 in a press release.
DS Smith operates eight bases in Hungary: one offset and two corrugated cardboard plants, four service centers, and a central office.
Széchenyi István University has been ranked in the 501–600 range in the newly published Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Ranking, released for the first time on 21 November. This achievement reflects the University’s world-class infrastructure, significant research income, increasing output across multiple disciplines, and growing academic reputation.
Széchenyi István University in the world top
A key strength of Széchenyi István University lies in its integration of nine faculties and competence centres spanning eleven disciplines, leveraging their synergies for impactful research and innovation. The University hosts numerous interdisciplinary projects that unite experts from diverse fields to produce significant results. This focus has been validated by THE’s inaugural Interdisciplinary Science Ranking, which placed the University third among Hungarian institutions in the top 501–600 globally. Prestigious institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and the National University of Singapore are also featured on the ranking.
Source: Miklós Máté Korcz/ Széchenyi István University Press Release
Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, highlighted the methodology behind the ranking; it evaluates interdisciplinary research across fields such as computer science, engineering, physical sciences, and life sciences. Infrastructural readiness and research income account for 35%, interdisciplinary publication activity for 40%, and institutional reputation for 25%.
Prestigious positions in previous rankings
“We are grateful to all our dedicated colleagues who contributed to this new success with their efforts. The excellent results are largely due to our institution’s European-standard research infrastructure, which generates significant revenues. Equally crucial is the framework supporting scientific work, including scholarships worth millions of Hungarian Forints annually, covering publication fees, database subscriptions, and hosting prestigious international conferences,” stated the Vice-President.
Students at Széchenyi István University benefit not only from high-quality education but also from internationally recognized infrastructure. Photo: SZE
Széchenyi István University has now appeared on five Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, showcasing its global recognition. On the THE World University Rankings, it is placed in the 1501+ category. In the Young University Rankings, it ranks in the 501–600 category. In the Impact Rankings, the University is placed 601–800, notably in the “Sustainable Cities and Communities” category, where it is among the world’s top 200 universities. Additionally, in the Subject Rankings, SZE is ranked 1001+ in the Engineering category, reflecting its growing academic excellence and impact.
Featured image: the Győr campus of Széchenyi István University (Source: Miklós Máté Korcz/ Széchenyi István University)
As expats consider relocating to Hungary, the choice of city can significantly impact their experience, with various factors playing a crucial role in the decision-making process. In this article, we delve into some important aspects of Hungarian cities such as Budapest, Szeged, Debrecen, Győr, and Pécs, comparing rent prices, higher education opportunities, public transport costs, and leisure activities. However, the final decision on where to settle will hinge on personal sentiments and preferences.
Rent in the most popular Hungarian cities
Based on the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)‘s statistics, the average rent prices in the most-liked Hungarian cities reveal significant disparities. In Budapest, the average monthly rent is approximately HUF 259,000 (EUR 630.95), making it the most expensive city in the country. In contrast, Debrecen has a slightly lower average rent of around HUF 220,000 (EUR 535.94), while Győr follows closely with rents averaging HUF 176,000 (EUR 428.75). Szeged offers a more affordable option, with average rents around HUF 200,000 (EUR 487.21), and Pécs is among the least expensive, with rents averaging HUF 195,000 (EUR 475.03). This comparison highlights Budapest’s high rental costs compared to other cities, which provide more budget-friendly living options for expats.
Source: Pixabay
Monthly public transport pass
The prices for a monthly public transport pass for adults vary across Hungarian cities. In Budapest, the cost is HUF 8,950 (EUR 21.80), allowing unlimited travel on all public transport within the city. Debrecen offers a slightly cheaper monthly pass, priced at around HUF 8,650 (EUR 21.07). In Szeged, the monthly pass costs about HUF 8,800 (EUR 21.44), while in Pécs, it is slightly lower at HUF 7,300 (EUR 17.78). Győr has the most economical monthly pass at HUF 5,600 (EUR 13.64)
Higher education
When considering higher education opportunities in Hungarian cities, Budapest, Pécs, Debrecen, Szeged, and Győr each offer unique advantages that cater to a diverse student population. Budapest, as the capital, is home to some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, including Eötvös Loránd University, Semmelweis University and Corvinus University, attracting a significant number of international students with a wide array of English-taught programmes. Szeged is home to the highly regarded University of Szeged, known for its strong emphasis on research and a vibrant student life, making it a popular choice among both local and foreign students.
In Debrecen, the University of Debrecen offers a comprehensive selection of courses and is particularly noted for its contributions to agriculture and medicine, while also maintaining a welcoming environment for international students. Pécs, with its historic university founded in 1367, provides a rich academic tradition alongside modern facilities, fostering an inclusive atmosphere for study. Lastly, Győr is home to Széchenyi István University, which focuses on engineering and applied sciences, offering practical training opportunities through strong industry connections.
Photo: Illustration/Pixabay
Leisure activities and fun
While all of the points mentioned above play a crucial role in deciding which city is the perfect match for you, you probably do not want to spend your time in Hungary all cooped up in your room. Therefore, it is also important to take into consideration what opportunities you have outside your home to have some fun after an exhausting day. When exploring leisure activities, nightlife, and pubs in Hungarian cities, Budapest stands out as the epicentre of vibrant nightlife, offering a diverse array of ruin pubs, clubs, and bars that cater to all tastes.
Szeged boasts a lively student scene with numerous bars and cafés, particularly around its university, where young people gather for casual drinks and socialising. Debrecen offers a more laid-back nightlife experience, with popular local pubs and clubs that foster a friendly community vibe. Pécs, known for its rich history, features charming bars that often host live music and cultural events, creating a relaxed yet engaging atmosphere. Finally, Győr combines historical charm with modern nightlife options, where visitors can enjoy a mix of traditional pubs and contemporary bars. Thus, each of these Hungarian cities provides plenty of fun options for a night out.
On Monday, János Lázár, the head of the construction and transport ministry, said that the ministry is coordinating the revamp of ten busy railway stations.
Lázár said in a Facebook video that Debrecen railway station will be rebuilt with private capital as part of the scheme.
Commercial functions are being hived off from railway purposes and handed over to private capital, he said, noting plans to create a shopping mall with a railway point of arrival.
Tenders are open to private capital for projects in Debrecen, eastern Hungary, Győr, in the west, and Szeged, in the south of the country.
As we wrote today, a train derailed at Keleti station, several trains delayed, details HERE.
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The first CUPRA Terramar model rolled off the production line at German car maker Audi’s factory in Győr (NW Hungary) on Friday.
Audi Hungaria chairman Michael Breme said production of the “sister brand” would contribute to high capacity utilisation at the plant for the next five years.
Audi Hungaria director for vehicle production Zoltán Les said the Terramar was produced on the same platform as the Audi Q3.
CUPRA CEO Wayne Griffith said the brand, launched in 2018, had sold over 700,000 units in six years.
István Joó, the head of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA), said that the more than 700 companies in Hungary’s automotive industry employed 150,000 people directly.
Recent investments could double the annual output of the sector in a few years, raising it to over 1 million units, he added.
After the market launch of the Terramar, about 300 of the vehicles will be produced each day.
Last year, Audi Hungaria produced over 170,000 vehicles and 1,600,000 engines.
Széchenyi István University of Győr has signed a cooperation agreement with building materials maker Mapei Kft, the school said on Wednesday.
Széchenyi István University of Győr signs cooperation
The aim of the cooperation is to bolster practice-oriented instruction at the university’s Building, Construction and Transport Engineering Department. Mapei Kft staff will give presentations to students and assist with dissertations and graduate research. Mapei Kft will also contribute to upgrading the department’s labs.
A Dutch truck containing an escape room built as part of a crime prevention initiative will tour six Hungarian cities between 9 and 20 September, the organiser Pécs University said.
Dutch escape room truck in Hungary
Organised in cooperation between the research centre for the fight against human trafficking set up at Pécs University’s Faculty of Law and the Dutch Reshape Foundation, the “escapetruck” had already visited Hungary twice in the past.
The truck contains three escape rooms set up demonstrating the circumstances that surround people when working in a brothel, forced into prostitution, the statement said.
Visitors can listen to the story of a victim, presenting her background story, and the way human traffickers operate.
By receiving clues on how to get out of the escape room, they are forced to get actively immersed in her story, also demonstrated with visual and sound effects.
Participation is free of charge and the organisers especially recommend the escapetruck experience to 14-18-year-olds, who are the most vulnerable group.
Additionally, members of the Hungarian police force are also offered educational events at the site.
The escapetruck will visit Győr on 9-10 September, Budapest on 11-12 September, Kaposvár on 13 September, Dombóvár on 16-17 September, Komló on 18 September, and Pécs on 19-20 September.
German car maker Audi on Tuesday showcased in Barcelona its CUPRA Terramar model which will be produced at its factory in Győr, Hungary.
Audi Hungaria chairman Michael Breme said they will use the same platform for the production of the Terramar as was used as for the Audi Q3 model, lowering investment cost, and keeping the production level high.
Mr Breme said that, for the time being, they do not plan to manufacture models of other brands as their capacity utilization with the Q3 and Terramar models is close to 100pc. For the future they will adapt to all changes, he noted.
Around 3,000 people are working in Győr on producing Q3 and Terramar models, he added.
Zoltan Les, board member for car production, said they have been working for more than two years on the integration of the Terramar model into their production system.
Mass production of the Terramar will start in the near future. Audi plans to manufacture 770 vehicles a day in Gyor, with Audi Q3 cars accounting for 60pc of output and Terramar cars 40pc.
The CUPRA Terramar will be available in petrol, mild hybrid and new generation plug-in hybrid versions. The engines for the petrol and mild hybrid versions will also be made in Gyor, Mr Les said.
According to Cupra’s announcement, deliveries of the Terramar model will begin in the last quarter of this year.
Audi Hungaria produced 1,660,425 engines at its plant in Gyor last year. Output edged down from 1,677,545 a year earlier. Vehicle output rose to 177,775 last year from 171,134 in 2022.
Győr has been a success story with 500 billion forints (EUR 1.3bn) of development carried out in the north-western Hungarian city since 2014 and the ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrats will continue to “have the city’s further development in mind”, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday.
In a speech delivered in the city, Szijjártó expressed thanks to all who have participated in the success story and said that 51 large developments carried out in Győr since 2014 have created more than 3,500 jobs. Szijjártógraduated from the Czuczor Gergely Benedictine High School and College in Győr and worked as the youngest local council member between 1998 and 2002.
The Fidesz-backed mayor in Győr, Dr. Csaba András Dézsi, a former local hospital director, lost the city in the 9 June municipal elections. The winner was Bence Pintér, a former journalist and editor-in-chief of Azonnali, a media outlet financially supported by Péter Ungár, the MP and co-chairman of the LMP – Greens. Azonnali ceased operation after the 2022 general elections.
Though the municipal elections were held on 9 June, the new mayor will only enter office on 1 October. The locals elected a Fidesz majority to the local government, which will probably make Mr Pintér’s job difficult.
Italians drink higher quality Fanta than their Hungarian peers even though the branding is not different in the two countries. Coca-Cola acknowledged the differences, while the Hungarian authorities said the company did not breach dual quality regulations. János Lázár, one of Orbán’s strongmen, harshly criticised Coca-Cola’s practice and urged stricter rules.
Fanta is different in Hungary than in Italy, Coca-Cola acknowledges
We wrote HEREthat Italian Fanta had more than double the orange content than its Hungarian version. In Hungary, the orange juice from concentrate in a bottle of Fanta is approximately 5%. Meanwhile, that is 12% in Italy, which is why they differ both in appearance and taste. The Italian version is much closer to the taste of real oranges since it is slightly tart.
The National Food Chain Safety Office (Nemzeti Élelmiszerlánc-biztonsági Hivatal, Nébih) has previously investigated the manufacturer’s products for similar reasons and found no legal violations. The agency explained that having the same branded product with different compositions in different countries does not necessarily breach dual quality regulations. According to the Nébih, “the composition set by the manufacturer is influenced by the preferences of consumers in each country, referred to as “national taste preferences”.
This is where Construction and Transport Minister János Lázár, one of Orbán’s strongmen, enters the game with a Facebook post. He said nobody should consume sugary drinks, but the quality difference is outrageous. He added that the state institution accepting Coca-Cola’s explanation cannot fulfil its task. He said that was a question of the Hungarians’ health.
Therefore, he suggests stricter regulation and wants a system that can follow the way of foods and he would like to stand up against players taking advantage of the suppliers and robbing the buyers.
Photo: depositphotos.com
Lázár slammed Spar, Lidl and Aldi, saying they are only interested in the profit, and that makes Hungarians vulnerable. “They deceive us with quality, but the biggest problem is with unhealthy food”, he added. Lázár suggested that multinational companies try to sell “unsellable garbage” in Hungary. Therefore, he urged state control in the market.
Vitézy slammed Lázár for not dealing with railway problems
Criticism came from an unexpected source: Dávid Vitézy, a former mayoral candidate in Budapest backed by Orbán’s Fidesz. Vitézy suggestedLázár should deal with the problems of the Hungarian railway, where Intercity trains are delayed 30 minutes, air conditioning does not work, and the situation is just getting worse. Vitézy highlighted that MÁV has not been this inaccurate for decades.
He said the situation got worse in the last two years, under the leadership of Lázár. That is because the minister halted all railway investments, the purchase of new trains and locomotives, and introduced cheap passes and tickets generating considerable losses. Furthermore, he torpedoed the creation of a national traffic organising institute and brought the morale at MÁV down. Vitézy highlighted those problems were more serious than Fanta’s orange content.
Lázár does not stop: he calls Győr, Nyíregyháza and Hódmezővásárhely cheaters of the national traffic system
His reason is that the state-owned Volánbusz operates public transport in those cities, but they do not pay for it. The “loss” they made reached HUF 4.5 billion (EUR 11.5 million). “That is the robbing of the country and the passengers”, he wrote on Facebook. He added they would collect the debt and spend it on modernising the Volánbusz fleet.
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Széchenyi István University has improved its ranking by 12 places compared to last year’s results and is again in the top 400 in the latest European ranking of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), published on 10 July. According to the detailed information, the institution’s corporate perception is particularly outstanding, ranking 109th best on the continent.
For the second time this year, QS, one of the largest international organisations for ranking higher education institutions, has published its ranking of European universities. Széchenyi István Universityis also included in the ranking, in 370th place, which represents a 12-place improvement compared to last year.
The list is topped by Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) in Zürich, followed by Imperial College in London and the University of Oxford. The list includes 684 out of almost 3500 universities in 46 European countries, including 15 universities in Hungary, and according to the results, SZE is ranked as the sixth best in Hungary.
The Győr-campus of Széchenyi István University – one of the best in Europe in many fields. Photo: Miklós Máté Korcz
“This latest success shows that our University is among the best in Europe. The fact that our institution is highly regarded by companies and employers plays a major role in this: in this respect, the University has moved up 33 places compared to last year to 109th in the ranking. Our students also benefit greatly from the close relationship we have with companies, both through our practice-oriented education and in their future careers. The 184th place in the category of ‘Inbound Exchange Students’ shows the high interest of foreign students, and our University is ranked 261st, improving by 20 places in terms of the Faculty Student Ratio” – analysed Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, of Széchenyi István University.
“We thank all our dedicated colleagues for our achievement in the QS European ranking. Our excellent ranking confirms that our students can study at a university that provides them with an internationally recognised high-quality education and that, through its corporate contacts, not only equips them with practical knowledge but also lays the foundations for their careers. In the coming years, this will be further enhanced by our innovation parks in Győr, Zalaegerszeg and Mosonmagyaróvár. In the future, our community will continue to work to catch up with the best in the world,” stressed Dr Bálint Filep, President of Széchenyi István University.
The QS Higher Ed Summit: Europe 2024 is taking place in Barcelona these days, where Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations of Széchenyi István University, also spoke at the opening panel discussion. Photo: SZE
Hungarian travellers often prefer to start their long-haul flights from Vienna Airport. In response, Taiwan’s China Airlines has introduced a new “rail & fly” service tailored for them.
China Airlines’ Rail & Fly service
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/N509FZ
In collaboration with the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the airline now offers an interline service. This allows Hungarian passengers to book Austrian train tickets from Győr and Budapest that connect with China Airlines flights, turizmus.com writes.
The train ticket is issued on the same reservation as the China Airlines flight ticket, enabling passengers to receive both bookings simultaneously. This new, affordable service can be booked directly through the airline’s website.
The airline offers non-stop flights between Vienna and Taipei. Besides Vienna, the airline provides excellent connections from Europe with daily non-stop flights from Frankfurt and four weekly non-stop flights from Amsterdam.
Additional non-stop routes to Taipei include departures from London, Rome, and Prague. Taipei serves as a convenient hub for further travel to destinations in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand, according to Sárdi Rezső, the GSA of China Airlines.
Széchenyi István University has once again secured its place among the top institutions in the latest world rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a leading higher education rating organization. This achievement is attributed to the University’s excellent corporate and academic reputation and its student-to-teacher ratio reflecting the high-quality education.
QS, one of the two largest international university ranking organizations, releases its current world rankings every summer. The latest rankings, published on 4 June, once again have listed Széchenyi István University in the 1001-1200 range. Among Hungarian universities, it ranks as the sixth best, following the three major provincial universities with medical faculties and the two traditional universities in the capital (University of Szeged, University of Debrecen, University of Pécs, Eötvös Loránd University, and Budapest University of Technology and Economics), all of which have several centuries of history.
The significance of this position is underscored by the fact that Széchenyi István University succeeded in a competition involving over 25,000 higher education institutions worldwide, with nearly 5,700 evaluated and 1,503 making it to the list. The prestige of the ranking is highlighted by the presence of renowned universities at the top, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, and Imperial College London and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
The ranking of Széchenyi István University is a testament to the value of the diplomas awarded by the institution in the job market. Photo: András Adorján
Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, emphasized the University’s strengths by analysing the detailed data, noting that Széchenyi István University is among the world’s top 300 for corporate reputation and in the top 600 for student-to-teacher ratio, which indicates the quality of education. Additionally, the University ranks in the top 700 based on academic reputation.
“We are extremely proud of this result, which is significant because it shows that our global visibility has consistently strengthened. Our University is closely linked to the economy, as evidenced by our significantly improved corporate reputation in this year’s rankings. This greatly contributes to the success of our research projects, innovations, and practice-oriented education,” said Dr Lukács.
“Our University has undergone tremendous development in recent years, reflected in our performance in international rankings. This success is the result of nearly a decade of internationalization efforts, long-term strategic planning, and the high-quality work of our dedicated colleagues. Naturally, we are aware that further efforts are needed for continuous improvement. Our current ranking assures students that they can obtain modern, up-to-date knowledge and competitive, marketable diplomas through internationally recognized programmes,” highlighted Dr Bálint Filep, President of the University.
Students at Széchenyi István University benefit not only from high-quality education but also from internationally recognized infrastructure. Photo: SZE
The SZEnergy Team, a team of students developing an electric vehicle at Széchenyi István University, has once again taken first place in Europe’s largest energy efficiency competition in the category of self-driving and electrically powered city cars. In the latter, they won first place, breaking their own world record for the second time.
Europe’s largest energy efficiency competition
The student team from Széchenyi István University wrote its name into the history books of the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition in 2022, when it won, achieving a world record in the city car category. Last year, the students from Győr set the bar even higher, breaking their own record with a result of 291 kilometers per kilowatt-hour, and also took first place in the autonomous, i.e., self-driving, category.
The SZEnergy Team continued its success story at this year’s competition in Nogaro, France, from 20 to 24 May, first by overwhelmingly winning the autonomous category and then by winning the electric city car category with a superb performance. In the former, the team beat prestigious universities from the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Türkiye, and Norway, while in the latter, it beat prestigious institutions such as the Politecnico di Milano and the Technische Universität München.
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The team from Győr defended their title in a very strong field at the Circuit Paul Armagnac, with their vehicle named “SZEmission” winning first place in the small city car category with a new world record of 309 kilometers per kilowatt-hour, improving their previous world record by 18 kilometers per kilowatt-hour. This means that the car covered the designated distance with such low fuel consumption that it would have covered 309 kilometers using the equivalent of 1 kilowatt-hour – the same amount of energy used by a hairdryer in an hour. The car, which underwent numerous improvements in preparation, beat the second-placed team from the Université de Toulouse by an outstanding 41 kilometers per kilowatt-hour.
In the autonomous category, the teams had to complete three tasks: first, the vehicle had to negotiate a 1.2-kilometer-long section of the track, then navigate a sector of obstacles with buoys and finally park in the only free space between two cars – all in self-driving mode, without human intervention. The team from SZE proved to be the best once again.
Balázs Für, team leader of the SZEnergy Team, said that the bad weather conditions made their job difficult, but the work they put in all year finally paid off.
“We did a lot of testing and simulation to get the most perfect set-up for the races. Fortunately, the weather turned more favourable on the day of the energy efficiency race, so we were able to improve on last year’s world record and win the category for the third year in a row, beyond our own expectations,” he said. The team leader said that they have a good relationship with the other teams, who congratulated them on their fantastic result and asked about the technical solutions of the car so that they could improve. “For us, there is always room for improvement regarding our car, so we will continue to work on improving efficiency and achieving further success,” he said.
Balázs Für thanked the Széchenyi István University, the Institute’s Automotive Research Centre, the HUMDA Hungarian Mobility Development Agency, a member of the Széchenyi University Group, and the sponsors for their support.
“I would also like to thank all the members of the team, as this success is primarily due to them, without them this result would not have been possible,” he added.
Dr Ferenc Szauter, Head of Vehicle Industry Research Centre at Széchenyi University, pointed out that the superior victory, achieved for the third time in a row with continuously improving results, is due to the conscious research and development work and the close cooperation of students and mentors.
“The two new first places also show that our institution’s talent management activities are world-class: we are not only competing with the most prestigious universities, but also ahead of them,” he said.
Europe’s biggest energy efficiency competition, SZEnergy Team – Photo gallery:
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
The students of the SZEnergy Team of Széchenyi István University won the Shell Eco-marathon energy efficiency competition for the second time in the autonomous category and for the third time in the electric city car category. Photo: Balázs Miklós
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Dr Glenn Tiffert, a professor at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in the United States, highly appreciates the development of Széchenyi István University in recent years. He delivered a packed lecture on securing supply chains at the Győr Science Park on 9 April. According to the researcher, the institution works closely with industrial players in an exemplary manner, assisting students in their practical training.
Széchenyi István University aims to impart cutting-edge knowledge to its students and regularly invites renowned speakers from prestigious universities for this purpose. Most recently, on 9 April, the University hosted Dr Glenn Tiffert, a professor of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, ranked fifth in the world on the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) global ranking. The researcher, who visited Hungary with the assistance of the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, delivered a lecture titled “Semiconductors: A Case Study on Securing Supply Chains” to a fully packed audience in the aula of the Győr Science Park, inaugurated by the University last year.
Dr Glenn Tiffert at the statue of Széchenyi István on the Győr campus. (Photo: András Adorján)
Prior to his lecture, the professor told the press that he came to Győr to learn about Széchenyi University‘s innovation activities, its connection to the industry, and to share his knowledge with the audience. “I was impressed by what I saw here, especially how the institution closely collaborates with the local industry to provide practical training for students. This is a great model from which we could all learn,” he said, adding that he is open to further cooperation.
At the event, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, introduced Dr Glenn Tiffert as an expert on modern China, whose areas of expertise include academic, corporate, and governmental research, the integrity of science and technology policy, influence from foreign powers. He is a researcher in Chinese political and legal history, author and co-author of numerous academic publications. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the University Research Security Professionals Association, established to increase security awareness at universities.
Many students showed interest in Dr Glenn Tiffert’s lecture, and the auditorium of the Győr Science Park at Széchenyi István University was packed for the event.(Photos: András Adorján)
Many students showed interest in Dr Glenn Tiffert’s lecture, and the auditorium of the Győr Science Park at Széchenyi István University was packed for the event.(Photos: András Adorján)
Many students showed interest in Dr Glenn Tiffert’s lecture, and the auditorium of the Győr Science Park at Széchenyi István University was packed for the event.(Photos: András Adorján)
In his lecture, through the example of semiconductors, Dr Tiffert drew attention to the dangers of supplier exclusivity in global supply chains. He demonstrated that the current model of the world economy is not safe with the establishment of a monopoly position, as the absence of a single supplier can lead to complete collapse, as happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when the production of essential chips for the automotive industry ceased. According to the researcher from the Hoover Institution, it is worth reconsidering the role of countries involved in development in the global supply chain and expanding manufacturing markets, as a more diversified economic chain could be beneficial in the long run. The professor spoke highly of the research and development activities at Széchenyi University and the involvement of talented students in professional and scientific activities. He believes that innovative scientific work, close cooperation with the corporate sector, and international networking at the university are key to future industrial development.
read also: University Awards Gala and Media Ball: Széchenyi István University recognizes its best – PHOTO GALLERY
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Maintenance work will be carried out in Budapest from 16 to 28 March. For this reason, railway traffic will be restricted between Déli station and Budapest-Kelenföld.
From 16 to 28 March, maintenance work will be carried out on the railway bridge over Nagyszőlős Street in Budapest. Thus, railway traffic will be restricted between Déli station and Budapest-Kelenföld, Mávinform reported on Thursday.
Railway traffic changes in Hungary
The change will also affect suburban and long-distance traffic on the Budapest-Győr-Hegyeshalom, Budapest-Székesfehérvár-Nagykanizsa, Székesfehérvár-Szombathely, Székesfehérvár-Tapolca and Budapest-Pusztaszabolcs lines.
From 16 to 28 March, several services will also change their terminals in the capital, moving to Kelenföld or Keleti railway station instead of Déli station. On some nights, there will also be work between Ferencváros and Budapest-Kelenföld, so some trains will be modified, according to Mávinform’s information.
In recent years, rents in Hungary have gone through the roof. This is confirmed by the latest survey, which shows that in some places rent costs almost half of the average salary, while in others it is only a quarter.
In theory, the ideal housing situation would be if rents did not exceed 30% of tenants’ salaries. With this in mind, Ingatlan.com has analysed the rents of more than 14,000 rental properties in different parts of Hungary to find out how much of the average salary is needed to rent an apartment.
Rent situation in Budapest
There are significant differences in housing, no wonder. In the capital, on average 37% of salaries go on rent: the average gross salary was 697,000 forints (1790 euros), compared to 250,000 forints (642 euros) in mid-February.
The capital’s fifth district is particularly expensive, with 44 percent of the average salary: an average rent of 340 thousand forints (EUR 873) for an average salary of 779 thousand forints (EUR 2000). In districts XI and XIII, with the largest supply of rented accommodation, the ratio of rents to gross salaries is 30 and 31 percent respectively. With rents of 250 thousand forints, earnings were 841 thousand forints (EUR 2160) respectively. The cheapest district continues to be the 15th, where the average rent for a rented apartment is 24 percent of the local gross wage.
Rent situation outside Budapest
Székesfehérvár and Debrecen are the most expensive of the duchy towns, but even there the ratio is close to ideal, at 33-33 percent. Debrecen has a rent of HUF 200,000 (EUR 513) and an average salary of HUF 599,000 (EUR 1530), while Székesfehérvár has an average rent of HUF 205,000 and a gross average salary of HUF 620,000.
The ratio is more favorable in Veszprém, Győr and Pécs, where the rent of HUF 150-180 thousand is 26% of the average gross salary of the district, which is HUF 581-694 thousand. In Szolnok, Szekszárd, and Miskolc, one of the big university cities, rents are the cheapest in this comparison, at 18-20 percent. As a rent of 100-120 thousand HUF (EUR 256-310) can be financed from 539-553 thousand HUF gross (ca EUR 1420).
Based on official figures, but…
“If we look at the average rents in Budapest and in the duchies, the capital has the most expensive apartments for rent compared to the average salaries. However, when looking at the wage data for a given district, city or borough, it should be taken into account that although an increasing proportion of tenants are registering for the address, not everyone is doing so, so the latter’s salary data may not or not at all appear in the local earnings data,”
László Balogh, chief economist at ingatlan.com, was quoted as saying in the release.
As we wrote earlier, based on The Economist’s recently coined Carrie Bradshaw index, Budapest emerges as the priciest European city for solo flat rentals, details HERE.
The surge in ice cream prices primarily stems from the need to elevate both production costs and employee wages. Producers of raw materials such as butter, milk and chocolate have increased their prices, making the ice cream more expensive. Moreover, they are burdened with out-of-control utility bills and rental expenses.
Increased operational costs and more
Starting this month, the Bécsi Café in Győr will implement a price increase on its cakes and ice cream, driven primarily by increased operational costs and the intention to raise employee wages. Consequently, customers can expect a 10% increase in prices compared to last year, according to 24.hu.
Dóra Bint, owner of Bécsi Café in Győr, noted that while regular customers return, their frequency has decreased with most visiting only once a week and purchasing fewer scoops of ice cream. However, she remains optimistic about maintaining turnover and anticipates bustling streets this summer, ensuring better preparedness.
Similarly, Norbert Horváth, owner of Édes’N confectionery in Győr, shared plans for reopening, including special offers for children with ice cream gifts throughout the summer. The new owner of Édes’N, Kiara Domokos Pápainé, emphasised a continued focus on providing value for money, committing to keeping cake prices under HUF 1200 (EUR 3).
Ice cream season to start soon
Despite potential supplier price increases, they hope to avoid significant product price increases. Ice cream will be available for sale from 1 March, initially priced at last year’s rate of HUF 550 (EUR 1.42), which is expected to increase to HUF 600-650 (EUR 1.54-1.67) later on.
Antal Tukovics, a pastry chef from Mosonmagyaróvár, explained the necessity of price adjustments due to rising raw material costs, noting the challenge of maintaining competitive cake prices without risking customer loss. He also mentioned significant shifts in consumer habits since the onset of the pandemic leading to a substantial decrease in turnover.
Huge drop in consumers
The drop in consumers is between 60-70% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Consequently, despite increasing raw material prices, he cannot raise cake prices to compensate, resulting in a reduction in workshop operations and staff.
Nevertheless, this scenario extends beyond Győr, as shifts in consumer behaviour have also been observed in Budapest since the onset of the pandemic. It is anticipated that raw material prices in the capital will remain elevated, with ice cream prices potentially surpassing HUF 650 (EUR 1.67) in certain areas.
Read also:
3 easy Hungarian desserts for your busiest weekdays – HERE
New streetfood place opened at Budapest Airport! – HERE
