Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán and Professor Péter Sótonyi, Rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest officially inaugurated three renovated pavilion buildings on the university’s István Street campus in a ceremonial event.
The ceremony was opened by Professor Péter Sótonyi with a film showcasing the prestigious past and exceptional present of Hungarian veterinary education. In his speech, he highlighted:
“The renewal of university buildings is not only a tribute to the past but also a symbol of our commitment to the future. Through the continuous revitalization of our historic spaces, we aim to shape the global development of veterinary education and research in the spirit of international scientific collaboration.”
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán then delivered his inaugural speech.
Following the speeches, the newly renovated buildings were blessed by Reverend László Süllei, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, and the attendees received a blessing from Reverend József Steinbach, Bishop and Chairman of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary, who emphasized the spiritual and community value of the university.
The event was also attended by Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation; Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary for International Communications and Relations; Márton Nobilis, State Secretary for Food Industry and Trade Policy; János Nagy, State Secretary leading the Prime Minister’s Office; and Veronika Varga-Bajusz, State Secretary for Higher Education, Vocational Training, and Adult Education.
A rich heritage, renewed for the future
As the third veterinary university established worldwide, the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest has been training veterinary professionals since 1787. However, its current campus of nine original buildings was designed almost a century later, in 1880, by Imre Steindl, the architect of the Hungarian Parliament. Over the decades, the buildings had deteriorated significantly, with interiors falling far short of modern standards. Thanks to a 7.3-billion-forint investment launched in 2023 and recently completed, the exterior of the buildings underwent a full historic restoration, while the interiors were equipped with state-of-the-art technology to meet the needs of modern, hands-on education.
One of the biggest challenges of the renovation was ensuring that teaching, research, and clinical activities continued uninterrupted throughout the project. Special care was taken to maintain day-to-day operations during the construction work. The three pavilion buildings now house five departments, including the Department of Surgery (Building B.1); the Department of Exotic Animal, Wildlife, Fish, and Bee Health, along with the Departments of Pathophysiology and Oncology (Building B.2); and the Departments of Chemistry, Physiology, and Biochemistry (Building C).
Cutting-edge facilities
The renovated buildings honour their historical heritage while providing a world-class environment for students and faculty. Covering a total area of 4,250 square meters, the renewal included the modernization of three lecture halls, 11 practical classrooms and operating rooms, six laboratories, and spaces for educational and research purposes. Additionally, the reconstruction addressed the university’s administrative needs by adding 1,000 square meters of new laboratory and office space through the conversion of attic areas.
During the restoration, 401,003 bricks were refurbished, 140.6 linear meters of Zsolnay ceramics were repaired, 40 relief sculptures were restored, 1,800 ornamental plants were planted, and 220 custom-made, historically accurate windows were replaced.
A vision for the future
The buildings represent the first phase of a broader development project aimed at modernizing the entire university. These updated facilities will support the establishment of scientific hubs that ensure the university’s continued success in international education and research. Future plans include the Comparative Medical Research Center, a new building complex that will enable innovative discoveries in collaboration with renowned researchers.
The University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest proudly preserves its history and traditions while actively working to meet the challenges of the future.
