Between 5 and 11 May 2025, the Faculty of Military Science and Officer Training (FMSOT) of the Ludovika University of Public Service (LUPS) organised the first International Cadet Week in Budapest, Hungary. The event was attended by 10 officer cadets from four countries, and was an important step towards the popularisation of Hungarian military traditions and the establishment of relations between military universities.
In addition to the Hungarian officer cadets, cadets from the General Mihailo Apostolski Military Academy of North Macedonia, the Military Academy of the University of Defence in Serbia, the Military University of Technology in Poland, the Polish Land Forces Military Academy, and the National Defence Academy of Georgia also took part in the event, because they attended professional, cultural and recreational events during the week.
The event was organised by the students of the Bánlaky József Military Science College for Advanced Studies, who prepared the daily activities for the foreign officer cadets and organised sports and leisure events, thus the programme included the presentation of the training portfolio of the FMSOT, the structure of Hungarian officer training and the infrastructure of the university. The cadets visited the state-of-the-art laboratories and practical training classrooms, and they also went on a trip to the Szolnok campus, where they got to know the aviation training programme of the university and the modern training tools, therefore they gained a deeper understanding of the university's capabilities.
The programme also included a professional and cultural day, during which the cadets could get to know more about the Hungarian culture and history by taking a guided tour of the most beautiful parts of Budapest, and friendly sports competitions were also organised for the participants, so they could interact with each other in a more casual setting. The cadets took part in the Ludovika Festival, where they could see the Hungarian Defence Forces' weaponry and military technology, and they also attended expert lectures on modern military innovations. These lectures provided them with valuable insights into the latest developments in the field.
The culmination of the festival was the Hundred Days Celebration, which is one of the most important events of officer training in Hungary, the guests from abroad were also impressed by it. Thus the participants of the event gave great feedbacks, which, among others, highlighted the diversity of the programs and the high level of organization. They pointed out that the event offered a chance to develop professionally, also to gain new friends, and to strengthen international military relationships. Due to these, the International Cadet Week was organized by the FMSOT, with the aim to create a new tradition. The success of the event proved that similar programs are expected to be organized in the future. The event was not only about the professional development of the participants, but also about the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding in the field of military education. It is clear that the first International Cadet Week has successfully achieved its objectives of presenting Hungarian military traditions and international cooperation. The FMSOT is looking forward to further programs, in which the next generation of officers from all over the world can meet.