Hungary - Berzsenyi College
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Hungary
Berzsenyi Dániel College, located in Szombathely, started in 1959 as an elementary teachers’ institute. Library and cultural management training has been offered since 1962, teacher training since 1972. Teacher training covers about 25 programmes in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, computer science, and foreign languages. Since 1998, Masters programmes have been offered in general and applied linguistics, Finno-Ugric linguistics, and since 1999 in European Studies. Since 2000, activities have been organised under 3 faculties Philosophy, Natural (and applied) sciences, as well Arts, Pedagogy and Sports. From January 1st 2000, Berzsenyi College has had the status of a regional higher education centre, based on a decision of the Hungarian parliament. The number of students totals 8200. The geographical situation of its region is unique; it is bordered by four countries, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Croatia. The College has an impressive list of international cooperation and participation in international projects, under Phare, Phare CBC, TEMPUS, World Bank, Open Society, and ERASMUS staff and student mobility.
Berzsenyi College can be regarded as one the most important research and development workshops in the region. It has joint projects with academic institutions from 23 different countries. The number of Academic doctors is 3, with habilitation 12, with PhD degrees 44, and there are 68 PhD-students.
The European Documentation Centre working under the College is the only regional centre of its kind. Other important centres that are relevant to eMapps.com are: EECALL- Eastern European Computer Assisted Language learning Laboratory, English Teachers Regional Information Centre and the Library (supported by British Council and also the Vas County Pedagogical Institute.)
The college has strong ties to primary and secondary schools all over the country, and the well organized practicum scheme makes them even stronger. Student research at the college is very strong, with success at national competitions of student societies. Designing and organizing continuing professional education through accredited courses for teachers, librarians, information professionals, and computer, information technology is also an important feature of the college.
Although other programmes have grown recently, teacher training is still a major focus of the college, with strong experience, research and development traditions in didactics, teaching methodologies (including innovative and flexible schemes in computer-based learning and in e-learning). Thanks to the multiple programmes offered, interdisciplinary research is very strong, including complex issues of information and knowledge society (human, pedagogical, technological, organization and management aspects). The Pedagogy and Psychology, as well as the Elementary Education departments are also very active in this aspect.
The aim of the college is to become a part of a regional university, to further strengthen regional, interregional (with Burgenland, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia), national and international ties. In 2005, following the Bologna process, BA, and BSc programmes have been developed, and after accreditation will be implemented in 2006.
The application of new education and information technologies receives a primary focus with regard to the national Schoolnet developments, together with requirements of the growing information and knowledge society, formulated in the Hungarian Information Society Strategy in 2003. Being aware of the new requirements of competency and skills development, the college management has initiated a flexible, open and distance education course for the academic and administrative staff, with a major focus on e-learning.
E-mail:
bruszno@bdf.hu
peterm@bdf.hu
zoltan.sarkadi@bramac.com
frankinf@t-online.hu