02. Dec. 2025
Written by: Steve Szabó

Our Grade 12 students accompanied by the school principal, visited today the Open Day of the National University of Public Service (NKE) at the Ludovika Campus, located only a three-minute walk from Avicenna International College. Upon arrival, we entered the main hall where all major faculties had set up information stands. We arrived too early, so we became the first visitors of this huge and modern campus that later on got totally full teeming with interested students making it almost impossible to move around at about 10am. Our students immediately began collecting brochures and engaging in conversations with the university’s ambassadors, who were very approachable and eager to explain their programmes.

The event showcased the full academic spectrum of NKE: the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies (ÁNTK), the Faculty of Military Science and Officer Training (HHK), the Faculty of Law Enforcement (RTK), the Faculty of Water Sciences (VTK), and the Nemeskürty István Teacher Training Faculty (NITK). Each stand introduced its own degree programmes, including international relations, public administration, military and defence studies, policing and investigation, water governance and diplomacy, and modern teacher education. Students had the chance to browse materials, ask questions about admissions, and learn about typical career paths after graduation.

Unsurprisingly, the military and defence-related stands drew the most attention from our group and also in general. Cadet students in uniform explained the structure of officer training, the balance between academic modules and physical preparation, and the leadership skills expected from future military professionals. They spoke enthusiastically about their daily routine, joint exercises, and the strong sense of community within the faculty. Many of our students spent extended time here, exploring the practical aspects of defence studies and the opportunities available within the Hungarian Defence Forces.

After visiting all the stands, we continued to a series of faculty presentations held in nearby lecture halls. The morning began with a short welcome from university leaders, who highlighted the Ludovika Campus’s historical mission of preparing future public servants. The ÁNTK presentation introduced programs in international relations, public policy, diplomacy, and cybersecurity, all emphasizing global awareness and the importance of service-oriented governance. The RTK session focused on law enforcement training, discussing investigation methods, crime prevention, and the practical simulations available on campus -such as mock crime scenes, interrogation rooms, and situational training environments. The HHK presentation gave a more formal overview of military science, strategy, leadership training, and the academic expectations placed on officer candidates. The VTK highlighted the global significance of water management, climate impact, and water diplomacy, while the teacher training faculty presented its vision of preparing modern educators dedicated to social responsibility and civic engagement.

Throughout the morning hours our students interacted with numerous ambassadors who generously shared their personal experiences, from the challenges of balancing demanding programmes to the satisfaction of contributing to public service. The visit provided an authentic impression of the university’s academic culture and mission, characterized by discipline, international outlook, and a strong commitment to serving society.

Overall, the Open Day offered our interested Grade 12 students a clear and inspiring picture of the study paths available at the National University of Public Service. The combination of interactive stands, informative presentations, and personal conversations helped the group better understand the roles of public administration, policing, military leadership, environmental governance, and education within Hungary and beyond. The proximity of the Ludovika Campus to our high school makes these opportunities even more tangible for our students as they reflect on their post-secondary future. We will continue these series; on 1 December a team of dedicated experts will come to Avicenna to hold a 3-hour long workshop to our 12 graders to prepare them how to plan their professional future and make the right uni choice.

Written by: Steve Szabó
02. Dec. 2025