Interview with Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector, Semmelweis University

13 May Interview with Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector, Semmelweis University

Can you briefly introduce yourself, your educational and business background and share what you’re most proud of during your time leading the university?

I serve as rector of Semmelweis University and head of the Heart and Vascular Center. Being a Semmelweis-graduate myself, I am proud to lead Hungary’s oldest medical institution, with over 255 years of continuous operation and a strong presence in Central and Eastern Europe in education, healthcare and research.

Semmelweis University hospitals handle approximately 3.5 million cases annually, representing 10% of Hungary’s patient care. We are a top-tier institution, especially in treating the most complex cases — some procedures, like specific organ transplants, are performed exclusively here. Patient care is central to our internationally recognized medical education, which is now even more practice-oriented thanks to ongoing curriculum reforms.

As a clinician and rector, I am proud that our university owns its hospitals, allowing us to offer comprehensive training across all disciplines, from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. With over four decades of experience in international medical education, we offer programs in Hungarian, English and German. Our German program began in 1983, followed by the English program in 1989.

Semmelweis University is among the most international universities globally, with students from 129 countries. I am also personally engaged in international collaboration: my son is currently a resident in orthopedics and traumatology at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and my grandchildren were born in Boston. Research, development and innovation, focused on health and life sciences, form Semmelweis University’s third core pillar. It is a leading institution not only in Hungary but also in Europe, having awarded over 100,000 degrees since its founding. Semmelweis trains the highest number of doctors, dentists, pharmacists, midwives and other healthcare professionals in the country, making it the largest health science education center in the region. Semmelweis University has pioneered numerous medical procedures in Hungary, including the third long-term kidney transplant (1973), first heart transplant (1992), first liver transplant (1995) and the first permanent artificial heart implant (2012). In 2015, we performed Hungary’s third catheter-based mitral valve surgery. Our Heart and Vascular Center is a flagship institution. In collaboration with the National Institute of Oncology, we also carried out Hungary’s first adult lung transplant (2015) and first pediatric lung transplant (2018).

As the country’s largest hospital, we provide the most extensive healthcare services in Hungary. It’s a very special privilege to lead the university from which I graduated in 1991. Following that, I spent two years in Germany as a young doctor and researcher at the renowned University of Heidelberg. I am an interventional cardiologist, performing procedures such as stent and valve implantation, pacemaker and defibrillator insertion and structural heart disease interventions. These experiences gave me valuable perspective on how we can prepare our students for both local and international medical careers and they have deepened my commitment to keeping Semmelweis University at the forefront of medical education and innovation.

How many students are currently enrolled at Semmelweis University and what is the ratio of international to domestic students?

Semmelweis University has 15,000 students across six faculties, with 35% coming from abroad. Around 5,500 from 129 countries study in our English and German-language programs, while our international campuses and partner institutions in Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Romania and Serbia also offer Semmelweis-accredited courses in multiple languages. Our international PhD program, one of the most comprehensive in the region, currently hosts 1,200 doctoral candidates.

We collaborate with over 200 universities worldwide, including transatlantic partnerships with leading institutions like Harvard. Beyond bilateral agreements, we engage in extensive scientific and academic programs. A key example is the Stipendium Hungaricum program, which promotes Hungarian higher education globally and enhances cultural diversity at institutions like Semmelweis University. The Pannónia Scholarship Program, launched last year, has expanded global mobility opportunities for Semmelweis students, faculty and researchers, including study and research in the US. It supports both short-term visits and longer collaborations that were previously limited.

Our ties with the US continue to grow. One highlight is our partnership with Harvard Medical School, which is hosting its Clinical Scholars Research Training Program at Semmelweis from 2023 to 2026. In 2023–24, 57 participants completed the program; this year, 72 graduated in March. This collaboration has elevated our clinical research and international standing. We also have long-term exchange agreements with Rutgers, the University at Buffalo and the University of Houston, enabling our students to gain transatlantic experience and engage in joint research projects.

Student mobility is a key priority at Semmelweis, with 500–600 students going abroad each year. While EU support through Erasmus+ is no longer available, we launched the Pannónia Exchange Program, backed by the Hungarian government, to ensure continued access to international opportunities.

What is the potential for collaboration between Hungarian and American higher education and where do you see it heading?

In addition to Harvard, we collaborate with universities like Rutgers, Buffalo, Houston, Methodist Hospital and Stanford. We aim to expand our scientific partnerships and mobility programs, benefiting both students and faculty.

Budapest is renowned for its beauty and culture, making it an ideal location for hosting high-level scientific conferences. This year Semmelweis University is hosting at least five major congresses, including a vascular surgery conference and the Times Higher Education Summit, both held in May, highlighting key developments and innovation in health and life sciences.

What is your vision for Semmelweis University in the next five to ten years? How will the university continue to lead in medical and healthcare education?

Semmelweis University is renowned for its high standards in education, scientific achievement and patient care. It is the top university in Hungary and Central Eastern Europe, ranking among the best in Europe. According to the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it is within the top 250 globally in medicine and health. In cardiology, it ranks 31st globally in the 2024 US News and World rankings. The university also performs well in the Shanghai Ranking, with pharmacy, medicine and biology placed among the top 100-300 worldwide. Semmelweis aims to be one of Europe’s top five universities in medical and life sciences by 2030 and to rank among the top 100 globally. A strong reputation attracts investors and research partners, fueling further growth and reinvestment in the university.

Semmelweis University also maintains strong ties with several Nobel Prize-winning scientists. Notably, Dr. Katalin Karikó, awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for her role in developing the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, is among our distinguished collaborators. In December 2024, we established the John von Neumann Institute for Data Science, a joint effort with Nobel Prize-winning physicist Ferenc Krausz. This institute focuses on early disease diagnosis using advanced blood tests and laser technology. Dr. Péter Gloviczki, a renowned vascular surgeon who trained at Semmelweis, also contributed significantly to surgery and vascular medicine before advancing his career at Mayo Clinic. Semmelweis University has also honored these remarkable scientists, along with other Nobel laureates such as George Olah and Albert Szent-Györgyi, who were both connected to our institution.

Ignaz Semmelweis, a renowned gynecologist and obstetrician, is considered the most famous physician from our region. He performed the first interventional clinical trial in medicine, discovering that handwashing with chlorinated water reduced mortality in childbirth. This groundbreaking work, done in Vienna in 1847, predated Pasteur and Lister’s discoveries of bacteria. Semmelweis’s approach lowered mortality rates in one hospital ward to under 1%, a major success at the time. Semmelweis is known worldwide as the savior of mothers and his contributions, along with the advent of anesthesia, revolutionized surgery. His statue in the Hall of Immortals in Chicago honors his legacy, a recognition made by American surgeons.

While many doctors know his work, not all are aware that Semmelweis was Hungarian. Building on this legacy of innovation and impact, Semmelweis University is committed to advancing medical science and education, with the clear ambition of becoming one of the world’s leading institutions in the field of medicine.

How is Semmelweis University integrating AI and digitalization as key areas for future development?

Our knowledge in health and life sciences doubles every two years, making it challenging to keep up with research and education. In the digital world, integrating modern technology into medical training and patient care is essential for sustainability. Our goal is to train doctors whose expertise exceeds current standards, leveraging digital tools for diagnostics, therapy, patient education and remote monitoring. We have integrated AI into our undergraduate and residency programs, especially for radiologists and imaging specialists, as AI-based applications are essential for diagnostic tools.

Our university recently celebrated its 1,000th robot-assisted abdominal surgery, which is now part of our curriculum, preparing the next generation for robotic surgery. At the Institute of Behavioral Science, we explored the human aspect of healthcare digitization, highlighting its importance at Semmelweis University. A key finding was that 75% of the population turned to online sources for healthcare information. In response, we developed Semmelweis Help, a symptom-checking and decision-support app, which is rapidly gaining popularity in Hungary, with over 200,000 users.

Why is Hungary an incredible destination for travel, education and business? Why partner with Semmelweis University?

Earning a degree at Semmelweis University is challenging, but students can take pride in attending one of the region’s top universities, renowned globally in medical and health sciences. The university offers a vibrant student life with activities like summer camps, sports and cultural festivals. Students also enjoy Budapest, one of the world’s most beautiful and culturally rich capitals, with countless events, recreation and dining experiences.