2015
On January 15, 2015 Open Days were held at the Institute. After the joint conference, all those interested could gain insight into the Institute’s life or attend any class.
On January 16, 2015 recognition certificates were awarded to participants of a special course implemented within the framework of a jointly organized programme by the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute and the István TürrTraining and Research Centre, with the support of an EU project (HUSKROUA 1101/041) running between October 22 and December 19.
The rag rug weaving training is a co-project implemented in partnership with four countries – Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine. The training was supported by the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Cross-Border CooperationProgramme.
On January 22, 2015 on the occassion of Hungarian Culture Day 2015 Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institutetook active part in the Voice of the Nation Programme together with all Hungarian primary and secondary schools worldwide. Also Tea-Time band concert was organized within the frames of collaboration of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association, the Pro Cultura Subcarpathica Civil Organisation and the Rákóczi- Institute of Beregszász.
On January 23, 2015 Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó paid an official visit to Transcarpathia, who was accompanied by Levente Magyar, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs, Árpád Potápi, State Secretary for Hungarian Communities Abroad, Ernő Keskeny, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipontentiary of Hungary to Ukraine, Oszkár Seszták, President of County Council of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg Megye, József Bacskai, ConsulGeneral of Hungary in Uzhgorod, Endre Szalipszki, Consul General of Hungary in Beregszász.
In Beregszász Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade visited Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute, where he was received by the Chairperson of the Institute Ildikó Orosz. The Minister viewed the building of the institution for vocational training, which is part of the Institute, the newly formed teaching kitchen, as well as chemistry laboratories stocked with chemical agents necessary to establish a chemistry degree course.
On January 29, 2015 “1944 – Deportations Year” exhibition, remembering the tragedy of the Transcarpathian Jews of 1944, as well as Stalinist deportation of Hungarian male population of Transcarpathia was organized as a final event of the Hungarian Holocaust Memorial Year – 2014 program series supported by CIVIL FUND by the Tivadar Lehoczky Research Institute ofFerenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute.
The Hungarian Minister of State for Higher Education came for a visit to Beregszász on March 13. The first destination of László Palkovics became the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute where he was greeted by the Institute’s Chairperson Ildikó Orosz. The State Secretary visited the renovated buildings of the Institute and of the Institute of VocationalTraining. Subsequently, a contract for further support of the institution was signed.
The Hungarian Revolution and War for Independence of 1848-49 was marked at the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute on March 13. The outstanding epoch was remembered by the students of the History and Social Sciences Department under the guidance of Ferenc Molnár. The event was also honored by the presence of the Hungarian Minister of State for Higher Education László Palkovics.
Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute was visited by Miklós Zsolt Kis, Minister of State for Agricultural and Rural Development, Prime Minister’s Office. Arriving on the morning of March 14, the official guest was met by the Institute’s Chairperson Ildikó Orosz. The official and his entourage visited the new building of the Institute of Vocational Training and the recently inaugurated Cultural Centre named after Sándor Fodó.
On March 19, 2015 a writer-reader meeting with Zsolna Ugron was arranged by the Pro Cultura Subcarpathica CivilOrganization. The writer’s companions were Anikó Lévai, Goodwill Ambassador of the Hungarian Interchurch Aid and a communications expert Kata Molnár-Bánffy.
Rákóczi Days series of events were held at the Institute on March 23-28. Within the frames of the programme certificates were awarded to the graduates of the courses of the Centre for Adult Education. The VIIIth Meeting of Choirs of higher education establishments, opening ceremony of Ágnes Kulin’s exhibition Sign Language, as well as an international interdisciplinary conference “Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Central and Eastern Europe: Challenges and Values” took place. The programme’s final element became the Xth Alumni Meeting organised by the Institute’s Alumni Association.
On March 31, 2015 a traditional Easter celebration was arranged by the Institute’s Department of Pedagogy and Psychology.
On April 9, 2015 the Hungarian Poetry Day was held under the auspices of the Hungarian Language Department Group of the Institute’s Philology Department.
On April 22, 2015 Earth Day series of events were run by the Institute’s Department of Biology and Chemistry, as well as the Departments of Geography and Tourism, Mathematics and Informatics.
On May 14-16, 2015 on the occasion of the 200th birthday anniversary of Lajos Vágner (1815-1888) an international scientific conference was organized by the Department of Biology and Chemistry in collaboration with the István FodorResearch Institute, the M.G. Kholodniy Institute of Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Uzhgorod National University, the Local History Museum of Transcarpathia and the Museum of Natural Sciences of Hungary.
On May 21 29, 2015 a Career Day was held under the auspices of the Departments of Education and Career Tracking at the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute.
On June 4, 2015 commemoration of the Day of National Togetherness took place at the Institute jointly organized by the teaching staff and students of the Art School of the village of Nevetlen.
On June 10, 2015 Katalin Novák, State Secretary for Family and Youth Affairs of the Ministry of Human Resources of Hungary, and Zoltán Guller, President of Hungarian National Foundation for Recreation and responsible for the implementation of Erzsébet – programme paid an official visit to the Transcarpathian region. In Beregszász they paid a call on the Institutewhere they met Ildikó Orosz, Chairperson of the Institute and the Transcarpathian Hungarian Pedagogical Association, viewed the Institute’s renovated building, negotiated on the issue of implementation of the programme aimed at providing recreation possibilities for children within the framework of which more than two thousand Transcarpathian Hungarian children had a possibility to spend a week long summer vacation in Hungary.
On June 10, 2015 Ildikó Orosz, Chairperson of the Institute and István Kenyeres, Director General of Budapest City Archivessigned a cooperation agreement aimed at harmonizing the professional activities of the two institutions. The abovementioned cooperation agreement stipulates attendance of major events, lecture presentations at the conferences of both institutions, publications exchange, cooperation in joint research areas. The agreement also provides students of the Institute with an additional opportunity of attending the Budapest City Archives, thus getting closer acquainted with its professional work, as well as meeting the requirements for compulsory practice.
On June 11, 2015 Deputy State Secretary for international cooperation at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of HungaryÁdám Zoltán Kovács came for a visit to Beregszász. During his stay, Mr. Ádám Zoltán Kovács, on behalf of Transcarpathia László Brenzovics, Member of Parliament and President of the Foundation for the Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute andIldikó Orosz, Chairperson of the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute signed an agreement concerning the third tranche of the Eastern Partnership programme, providing financial assistance in the amount of HUF 155 million for the first installment and HUF 140 million for the renovation of the Transcarpathian region’s public institutions by the Hungarian State.
On June 15, 2015 a travelling exhibition Bridges, Ages, Budapest of the European Passenger Foundation was opened in Gross Arnold exhibition hall of the Institute by joint efforts of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA) and the Pro Cultura Subcarpathica Civil Organisation. Following the exhibition opening ceremony a round-table discussion was held, during whichrepresentatives of the Hungarian Academy of Arts introduced themselves, as well as numerous participants from Transcarpathia such as non-governmental organizations and associations involved in cultural and artistic activities, representatives of several art schools and young talents.
On June 18, 2015 a cooperation agreement was signed between Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute and Mukachevo State University presupposing closer cooperation between the two educational establishments.
On June 24, 2015 a cooperation agreement was signed between Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute and St. Athanasius Greek Catholic Theological College. The agreement was signed by Ildikó Orosz, Chairperson of the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute and Tamás Véghseő, Rector of the Theological College in the council chamber of the institution of Beregszász. According to the agreement, pastoral assistant training for Greek Catholic Church may start at the Institute of Beregszász in the autumn of 2016.
On June 24, 2015 a settlement agreement was signed between the National Remembrance Committee (NRC) and Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute. Chairperson Ildikó Orosz, Vice-Rector Gyula Fodor, György Csatáry, Head of the Department of History and Social Sciences, and Erzsébet D. Molnar, a researcher of the Lehoczky Tivadar Research Instituterepresented the Institute. The settlement agreement was signed by István Ötvös, board member of the NRC and Ildikó Orosz.
On June 26, 2015 an end-of-year and a degree award ceremony was held at the Reformed Church of Beregszász, at which as many as 155 graduates were awarded BSc degree certificates, as well as SSc certificates. The welcoming speech was given by Minister of Justice Trócsányi László. On behalf of the County Council, the guests were greeted by Vice-President Mykhailo Popovich. Within the framework of the celebration degree certificates were also awarded to pastoral assistant majors of the Reformed Theological Academy of Sárospatak who were trained externally at the Institute.
On August 12, 2015 the newly-elected governor of Transcarpathia Hennadii Moskal came for a visit to Beregszász. During his stay the governor paid a call on Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute. At the meeting taking place at the higher education establishment present were Ildikó Orosz, Chairperson of the Institute and the Transcarpathian Hungarian Pedagogical Association, Vice-Rectors of the Institute Ilona Vass, Gyula Fodor and Béla Rácz, and the newly appointed President of the State Administration Office of Beregszász district István Petruska.
On August 12, 2015 Minister of State for Social Affairs and Inclusion, Ministry of Human Resources (Hungary) Károly Cziberecame for a visit to Transcarpathia, which bore coordinating and information-gathering nature. During his stay in BeregszászMinister honoured with his presence Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute. At the higher education establishment the politician met with EP parliamentary representative Bocskor Andrea; member of parliament of Ukraine and president of the Hungarian Cultural Federation in Transcarpathia László Brenzovics; Ildikó Orosz, Chairperson of the Instituteand the Transcarpathian Hungarian Pedagogical Association; József Bacskai, Consul General of Hungary in Uzhgorod and Endre Szalipszki, Consul General of Hungary in Beregszász.
On September 1, 2015 on the occasion of the opening of the 2015/2016 academic year in Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute an ecumenical worship service was held by the clergymen of historical churches of Beregszász in the Roman Catholic Church.
On September 18, 2015 opening of the 2015-2016 Academic Year of Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institutewas celebrated in the Reformed Church of Beregszász. Within the framework of the event the Rákóczi Prizes established by the Institute were presented. Zsolt Németh, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, became this year’s Mother country laureate, while in Transcarpathia the prize went to the retired bishop of the Reformed Church of TranscarpathiaLajos Gulácsy.
On September 25, 2015 to mark the 80th birthday of an internationally recognized mathematician dr. Béla Bódi, who was born in Transcarpathian, a scientific conference was held by the Department of Mathematics and Informatics.
On September 25, 2015 members of the Hungarian-Ukrainian branch of the Inter–Parliamentary Union paid an official visit to Transcarpathia. The Hungarian delegation visited the Institute of Beregszász where Ildikó Orosz, Chairperson of the Instituteand László Brenzovics, member of parliament of Ukraine and president of the Hungarian Cultural Federation in Transcarpathia welcomed the delegation. Upon briefly presenting the Rákóczi-Institute’s history, Ildikó Orosz showed the guests around the imposing building.
On October 3, 2015 a charity marathon was organized by the Transcarpathian Advocacy and Development Center ADVANCEin collaboration with the Hungarian Interchurch Aid in Beregszász, aimed at raising public awareness in support of those families who face difficulties brought about by the current economic, political situation in Ukraine and the war. Anikó Lévai, Goodwill Ambassador of the Hungarian Interchurch Aid, and István Kovács, nicknamed “Koko”, Olympic, amateur and professional boxing world champion joined in the charity running in support of this noble aim. More than three hundred young people took part in the aforementioned sports event, fifty of whom represented Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute.
On October 9, 2015 Deputy State Secretary for Eastern Opening Zsolt Csutora came for a visit to Transcarpathia. During his stay in Beregszász, he paid a call on the Institute, holding talks with its management.
On October 16, 2015 a conference titled Social, Cultural and Tourism Relations in the Carpathian Basin was jointly organized by the Transcarpathian Hungarian Tourism Council and Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute.
On November 2nd, 2015 Antal Kiss, the ministerial commissioner at the National Development Ministry of Hungaryresponsible for carrying out tasks related to the coordination of direct public resources, the Executive Director of the Hungarian Development Center for winning public procurement tenders of Hungarian applicants of the EU direct payments came for a visit to Transcarpathia. The Hungarian guests held talks with Ildikó Orosz, Rector of the Institute and Chairperson of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Pedagogical Association, as well as József Barta, Vice President of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association (KMKSZ).
On November 10th, 2015 State Secretary responsible for public education at the Ministry of Human Capacities of HungaryJudit Czunyiné Bertalan was informed about the general situation of Hungarian-language education in Transcarpathia, handing over Hungarian grammar books to Ukrainian schools educating the Hungarian language as a second language. During her first stopover of the two-day visit to Transcarpathia Judit Czunyiné Bertalan met the leaders of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Pedagogical Association and the Institute.
On November 18-19th, 2015 Prime Minister responsible for Hungarian communities abroad and President of the crossborder investments István Grezsa paid a two-day visit to Transcarpathia. On November 18th he gave a keynote speech, laying a wreath to the victims of “málenykij robot” in Beregszász at the commemoration ceremony organized by the the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute.
On November 26th, 2015 a cooperation agreement was concluded between the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute and the University of Prešov of Slovakia in Beregszász. The document was signed by Ildikó Orosz, Rector of the Institute and Péter Kónya, Rector of the University of Prešov.
On December 11th, 2015 delegation of the Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Government Office led by Chief of Staff József Társy came for a visit to Transcarpathia. During their stay in Transcarpathia the guests handed over a useful gift bag to the leaders and teaching staff of the Elementary and Nursery School of Kígyós, upon which they made time for a courtesy call on Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute.
On December 12th, 2015 dr. Ildikó Orosz, Chairperson of the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute and the Transcarpathian Hungarian Pedagogical Association was awarded Gold Badge by the Chairmanship of the National Student Council in recognition of devoted support of talented tertiary level students, and effective running of student conferences. Outstanding Organizer of Student Conferences Award was granted to dr. Natalia Varadi, associate professor of the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute, for exemplary work in supporting local and national organizers of higher education student academic activities. The awards were handed over at the closing session of the National Student Council in Budapest.
On December 18th, 2015 István Csernicskó, habilitated associate professor of the Department of Philology of Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute, Head of the Antal Hodinka Research Institute, was conferred with The Hungarian Language Guard Award for language cultivation in the Hungarian Parliament. The Hungarian Language Guard Foundation had bestowed honours to those living outside the kin-state for the second time for outstanding support and cultivation of the Hungarian language.
On January 21-23rd, 2016 the Educatio International Education Exhibition had been held for the sixteenth time in Budapest. The event aims at analyzing questions related to higher education. Its objective is to create links between the exhibitors: the Hungarian and foreign higher education institutions, textbook publishers, language schools, vocational training institutions with those concerned: students, parents, and educators. The Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute participated in the exhibition for the first time. The event’s visitors and exhibitors alike were presented with the opportunity of getting closer acquainted with the professional proposition of the Institute, its activities, opportunities for professional collaboration.
On January 21st, 2016 Deputy State Secretary for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and TradeÁdám Zoltán Kovács came for a visit to Beregszász. During the course of his visit, he attended Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute, where he viewed the premises of the institution currently being under renovation and the Institute for Vocational Training together with the Institute’s Rector Ildikó Orosz and László Brenzovics, President of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association (KMKSZ).
