Eötvös Loránd University

Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, also known as ELTE, is one of Hungary’s oldest and most prestigious academic institutions. Founded in 1635 by Cardinal Péter Pázmány as the University of Nagyszombat (now Trnava, Slovakia), it played a crucial role in the development of higher education in Hungary and continues to be a beacon of academic excellence and research. The history of ELTE is closely intertwined with that of Hungary. The university was moved to Buda in 1777 and then to Pest in 1784, where it was renamed the Royal Hungarian University. Its relocation to Pest was a strategic move aimed at making the university a center of education and culture in a more accessible and populous area. The current name, Eötvös Loránd University, was adopted in 1950 in honor of the Hungarian physicist Loránd Eötvös, famous for his work on gravity and his experiments with the torsion pendulum, which deeply influenced modern physics. ELTE is divided into eight faculties covering a wide range of disciplines: Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Law and Political Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, Education and Psychology, Teacher Training and Education, and Business and Economics. This multidisciplinary structure allows the university to offer a comprehensive and integrated education, preparing students for a variety of careers and contributing to progress in research in numerous fields. One of ELTE’s distinctive features is its commitment to scientific research. The university hosts numerous internationally relevant research centers, ranging from theoretical and applied physics to molecular biology, from computer science to social sciences. This commitment is supported by collaborations with academic and research institutions worldwide, making ELTE a global player in the scientific research landscape. The university’s main campus is located in the heart of Budapest, in historic buildings reflecting the city’s rich cultural heritage. One of the most fascinating anecdotes about ELTE is related to its University Library, founded in 1561 and one of Hungary’s oldest and most important libraries. The library houses a collection of around two million volumes, including medieval manuscripts, incunabula, and first editions of scientific and literary works. The main reading room, with its vaulted ceiling and carved wooden shelves, is a place of great beauty and serenity, where students and researchers can immerse themselves in study.