SUMMER ICEBREAKER - Thoughts on the First LEPSY CEEPUS Summer Course
The activities of the LEPSY CEEPUS Network started on September 1, 2023. We held the first Coordination Meeting in November 2023, where we discussed the implementation of the Summer University to be held in Budapest in detail with the partners. The first LEPSY CEEPUS Summer University took place from May 27 to June 1, 2024, welcoming students from Serbia and North Macedonia. The program received support through multiple channels. On one hand, the TEMPUS Public Foundation provided scholarships for the students, and on the other hand, Rector Gergely Deli supported the students with free dormitory accommodation. Additionally, Dean Gábor Kovács ensured the smooth implementation of the programs, provided free meals for the students, and delegated colleagues to assist.
As members of the organizing committee—Imre Dobák, Zoltán Bács, Szabolcs Mátyás, and Johanna Farkas—we felt the weight of responsibility. We followed detailed plans, prioritizing multifaceted, creativity-demanding programs showcasing Hungary's landmarks and peculiarities, including lectures, group work, and sightseeing tours in Budapest and Szentendre.
Dean Gábor Kovács opened the Summer University. He presented the characteristics of the Faculty of Law Enforcement and gave insight into the Faculty's future plans. The students were open, allowing us to establish a harmonious, collegial, and friendly connection from the very beginning. Members of the St. George College presented the students' daily lives in detail, and the instructors showcased their professional work. The students participated in the sessions with discipline and precision, paying great attention, and actively contributing to the successful completion of tasks. Exploring the landmarks of the capital and visiting Szentendre, accompanied by political science students, was a significant experience for the students.
Based on the feedback from the students and the leaders of the partner institutions, we can consider the event a success. They were very satisfied with the infrastructure provided by the Campus, the programs, and the high professional standards of the lecturers' work. The first LEPSY CEEPUS Summer University concluded successfully, significantly contributing to the enhancement of the international recognition of the Ludovika University of Public Service.