At the meeting of the Senate of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest on April 4, Prof Dr Péter Sótonyi was unanimously elected as rector with 16 yes votes. The Board of Trustees of the Marek József Foundation, which maintains the University, initiated the appointment of the candidate as rector to the President of the Republic on April 5.

The Board of Trustees of the Marek József Foundation announced a tender on February 21, 2024, for the appointment of the rector (senior leader) of the institution in accordance with the Act CCIV of 2011 on national higher education, the Charter of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, and its Organizational and Operational Regulations.

By the deadline of March 22, 2024, at 4 p.m., Dr. Péter Sótonyi submitted his application for the position of rector.

According to the announcement, the Senate evaluated the application and unanimously elected the candidate for rector.

Expressing his gratitude for being elected, Dr. Péter Sótonyi stated that he had led the institution for over a decade with faith, passion, and by preserving the traditions of the University. He outlined an inspiring, ambitious vision for the future and tirelessly works towards its realization. In 2016, the University regained its autonomy and fulfilled it through a change in model. Renovations and new investments began, a historically significant salary increase was implemented, the scientific performance of the university increased, and its prestige rose – all of which were not hindered by Covid-19. The number of students doubled in 12 years.

He emphasized that all of this is the result of collective effort. Through unity, everyone can benefit – this is the most important lesson of his decades at the University.

Following the meeting, the Senate sent its personnel proposal to the Board of Trustees of the maintaining foundation, which initiated Dr. Péter Sótonyi’s appointment to the President of the Republic at its meeting on April 5.

The appointment can be made earliest from September 27, 2024, and it is valid for up to 5 years.

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Dr. Péter Sótonyi was elected Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Szent István University in 2012, and since 2016, he has been the rector of the re-established University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest for the second term as a leader.