Tribute to Prof. Dr. László Dux

’On this memorable occasion we salute you for your lifetime achievements in the most beautiful educational facility of the University of Szeged, the Health Sciences Education Centre named after Ilona Banga, the colleague of Albert Szent-Györgyi, the first Nobel Prize-winning researcher of the University of Szeged’- said Prof. László Rovó, Rector of the university. In his welcome speech, he emphasized that biochemistry is the future of medicine and one of the best known and most successful fields of science at the University of Szeged, and Professor Dux is well known for continuing and advancing its strong and deep rooted traditions started by Albert Szent-Györgyi. He revealed that Professor Dux was his tutor and, based on the personal relationship they had developed back then, he could rely on his advice and support later on.

On behalf of the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, the Dean, Prof. Dr. György Lázár, welcomed the Professor Emeritus Dr. László Dux. The two doctors have known each other for at least half a century. Prof. Dr. György Lázár said that his father had mentored László Dux when he was starting his scientific career as a doctor. Prof. Dr. György Lázár pointed out that Prof. Dux is an outstanding teacher and researcher in the medical education of Szeged, and holds the record for the number of medals awarded for teaching excellence.

‘I have known László Dux for the longest time’ – said Professor Emeritus Dr. András Varró. He spoke about the years they spent together in secondary school between 1968 and 1972, the prizes they won in academic competitions, the warnings from the headmaster about their long hair, their parallel careers as university classmates and their study trips abroad.

He highlighted the period between 1991-1997, when Dr. László Dux contributed to the achievements of the university as Vice-Rector for Education. He also supported the initiative to establish a foundation for talent development in 2012, which has by now grown into the National Academy of Scientist Education. The main goal of the program is to support talented young people interested in biomedical research and to foster their scientific work.

‘I first met Professor Dux in June 2007,’ said Dr. Anikó Keller-Pintér, Associate Professor at the University of Szeged, in her review of the past 17 years at the Department of Biochemistry. The first thing I noticed in Professor Dux's room was the portrait of Albert Schweitzer. I also noticed that the door to his room was always open, and I did not need to ‘make an appointment’ for a conversation. His love of sport, punctuality as well as his ‘live and let live’ management style were the hallmarks of his working method’, said the student-turned-successor, who helped to make several departmental projects and conferences a success. The success of their teamwork was illustrated by the group of young scientists present at the event, a group of 25 Scientific Study Circle (TDK) students from the Department of Biochemistry.

The series of welcome speeches was concluded by a celebratory dinner and pleasant discussions.