National Public Service University

The most important decisions regarding the operation of the University are made by the Governing Board, which consists of ministers leading the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Justice, while the Public Administration Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also takes part empowered with consultation rights.

As far as the daily work of the University is concerned, the main decision-making body is the Senate, which is led by the Rector. The work of the Rector is aided by the Vice-Rectors in the various professional fields.

The Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs coordinates all the educational affairs including the Office of Education, the Central Office of Studies, and the Institute of Disaster Management. The Vice-Rector for International Affairs is responsible for establishing and maintaining the international relations of NUPS via the International Relations Office.

The Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs manages all scientific activities of the University, oversees the Doctoral Schools, the Office of Scientific Affairs, the Central Library of the University, the Institute of National Security and scientific quality assurance processes.

Other important positions are that of the Secretary-General and the Chief Financial Director. The Secretary-General is responsible for the Rector’s Office and the central management of the University. The Office of Finance controls and directs the work of the Financial Office and is responsible for all financial matters regarding the operation of NUPS.

The University has five faculties. The Faculty of Military Sciences and Officer Training educates professional military officers for the Hungarian Defense Forces. The Faculty of Law Enforcement trains students in Criminal Administration, Law Enforcement Administration bachelor programs and in a Law Enforcement master program. The Faculty of Science of Public Governance and Administration aims at educating professional civil servants for all levels of state administration. The Faculty of International and European Studies was established on the 1st of February 2015. It is the center of international public service and security policy training. The Faculty of Water Sciences, which is the latest faculty of NUPS was established on the the 1st of February 2017. It deals with the management of water rescources that have vital strategic importance.

Besides the five faculties, there are also several inter-faculty institutes at NUPS. These are the Institute for Research and Development on State and Governance, the Institute of National Security, the Institute of Disaster Management and the Centre for Strategic and Defence Studies.

The Students’ Unions are present on both University and faculty level, where active student members represent the rights and interests of fellow students. The rights of the doctoral students are also represented by the Student Union of Doctoral Students.

A diverse set of student colleges for advanced studies are also to be found at NUPS. These not only organize the scientific efforts of students but serve as social organizations too. Members of these student colleges for advanced studies can participate in research projects, study trips and can later publish their results. In addition to the student colleges, scientific student associations can also be found at each faculty, where students can gain extra knowledge in their specific fields of interest.

NUPS offers a unique environment as its student body incorporates cadets, future police officers and civilian students to become professionals of national public administration or international administration. The most interesting part of being a student of the University is to experience its vibrant and diverse community.

The management of NUPS, along with the main student organisations, is continuously offering programmes to bring together the students of its faculties and institutions. The Fall Semester’s programmes include the opening ceremony of the academic year, the Freshman Ball, and the symbolic event of students’ inauguration.

Furthermore, each November is regarded as the month of science which is celebrated with open lectures and seminars, presentations of young researchers throughout the country. In addition, NUPS regularly organises a ball where students, lecturers and the administrative staff can come together in a formal yet enjoyable environment. The Spring Semester also offers various colourful programmes, such as the Faculty Days, which include entertaining events and professional conferences as well. The academic year is closed with a ceremonial farewell of graduates who are awarded with the University Ring.

In order to further enhance the co-operation between the various branches of public service, NUPS has also been organising joint exercises for students of all faculties.

These events focus on different issues (imaginary crisis situations) which need to be solved through the teamwork of programme participants. Recent examples of these events were exercise 'Wild Water' ('Vadvíz') and 'Bulwark' ('Végvár') held in April 2013 and April 2014 respectively. The latter, in 2014, focused on an unexpected (and of course simulated) armed attack against the country with the participation of more than 800 students. In 2016 'The Storm' ('Vihar') focused on an unexpected nature-caused crisis situation. These exercises were realised with the participation of students from all of NUPS’s faculties and have demonstrated the importance and the prospects of co-operation between and among future officers of the Hungarian Defence Forces, law enforcement members and officials at all levels of Hungarian public administration.

Student organisations also offer opportunities for additional academic efforts and research. There are several special student communities operating as groups of socially sensitive intellectuals who are devoted to their (and their fellow students’) talent management. These communities are found in all faculties of NUPS and are open to students with a stronger thirst for knowledge. Another form of intellectual self-development is the participation in the so-called scientific students’ associations. In essence, these communities provide a forum for talented students to publish and present their scientific/academic works thereby aiding them in their first steps towards PhD studies.

Due to the work of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), international students are always invited to events and parties organised by the various student organisations while the International Relations Office invites international students to all relevant conferences and scientific programmes in English. One of the University’s most popular series of events is the Ludovika Ambassadors’ Forum where ambassadors accredited to Hungary share their thoughts about current issues of international affairs related to Hungary and to their respective country.

Representing students’ interests is also very important for NUPS. The Students’ Union helps our students in this respect and actively participates in the work of every important decision-making body of NUPS. A similar role is allocated to the Doctoral Students’ Union, as it represents all PhD students of the university. These organizations also offer a wide range of events for students.

The fortunate geographical location of Hungary allows us to present our students with a possibility for international outreach. The Students’ Union of NUPS organises three journeys throughout the academic year for students who like to visit capitals of other countries. These programmes are very popular with several buses rented for the trips to Prague, Vienna and Warsaw. Once they arrive in these cities, participants can go on sightseeing tours visiting museums and main historical and cultural attractions and attend clubs and pubs at night.