University History

John von Neumann University, as a university of applied sciences, is an institution that provides human-centered, lifelong engagement and learning. It builds its domestic and international competitiveness on the application of the most modern tools and methods, living in harmony with its social and economic environment.

Our students are the greatest asset of our institution. The professional preparedness and human qualities of our graduates ensure the good reputation of our university. Therefore, the mission of the institution is to provide continuously renewed, competitive education that adapts to the changes in economic and social life, creating a stimulating learning environment for its students to develop their abilities and fully unfold their individuality.

Our institution actively and committedly aims to participate in the creation of a European knowledge-based society and economy, joining the European Higher Education Area. In our range of degree levels, we consider MSc programs to be a defining profile alongside BSc degrees. Furthermore, we also participate in higher education vocational training and specialized postgraduate training. The university primarily cooperates with other higher education institutions and economic actors in the region, striving to utilize the advantages of this stimulating environment and to prepare students for the specific demands of the labor market.

Since August 1, 2020, John von Neumann University has been a private higher education institution of public benefit maintained by a foundation.

Faculties of John von Neumann University:

• GAMF Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development

Key Milestones in the Institution's History:

On January 1, 2000, the Kecskemét College was established through the integration of higher education institutions operating in Kecskemét (Technical College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Kecskemét Teacher Training College, Faculty of Horticulture of the University of Horticulture and Food Industry).

On July 1, 2016, Pallasz Athéné University was established through the integration of Kecskemét College and Szolnok College. One year later, according to the decision of the Hungarian Parliament on May 30, 2017, the institution received permission to change its name and has been operating as John von Neumann University since August 1, 2017.

On July 1, 2019, the Faculty of Economics from Szolnok separated from our institution and joined the University of Debrecen. On July 31, 2020, due to a change in legislation, the Faculty of Teacher Training was transferred to the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church.

From August 1, 2020, the legal status of John von Neumann University changed from a state-run higher education institution to a private higher education institution of public benefit maintained by a foundation. The university, with its three faculties, is enriched by several knowledge centers. In 2021, the MNB Knowledge Center for educational and research purposes, the Tódor Kármán Defense Industry and Technology Knowledge Center, the Automotive Industry Knowledge Center, and the Sándor Kopátsy Knowledge Center were established.

GAMF Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science:

The predecessor of the faculty, the Higher Technical College of Mechanical Engineering, was founded in 1964, and in 1969, it was granted college status under the name Technical College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation (GAMF). The independent GAMF and later the GAMF Faculty have gained a nationwide reputation in recent decades for their high-quality, modern engineering and computer science education, incorporating technological innovations into their curriculum. Anywhere in the country, at large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, one can encounter engineers who graduated from GAMF, often holding middle or senior management positions, or even managing and owning their own companies.

Over the past five decades, the faculty has undergone tremendous development. Initially, they only trained production technology engineers; today, the faculty offers bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, computer science engineering, logistics engineering, technical management, and IT operations engineering, and a master's degree in mechanical engineering. Since 2012, dual education has also been available at the faculty, which is deservedly known as the "Kecskemét model" and better meets the expectations of the economy than any previous practice-oriented training.

As a regional center for research and development, the faculty maintains close cooperation with research institutes, companies, and other higher education institutions, thus participating in the development of numerous innovations in the fields of device and tool design, automation, industrial IT, applied IT, processing technology, measurement technology, automotive testing, and organizational development.

Faculty of Economics:

Economic education already had decades of traditions in the predecessor institutions when the decision was made in 2013 to launch an economic training area in Kecskemét, with the aim of organizing it into an independent faculty as soon as possible. The establishment of the Economic Knowledge Center took place in June 2017, followed by the establishment of the current Faculty of Economics in October 2017. Since the 2018/19 academic year, the faculty has been recruiting for four bachelor's programs (Business Administration and Management, International Business, Commerce and Marketing, Finance and Accounting), a master's program in International Economics and Business, and the internationally recognized, Hungarian-language Master of Business Administration program.

Further developments in the field of economic education are being realized with the strategic partnership of the Hungarian National Bank and the support of the Pallasz Athéné Domus Mentis Foundation and the Pallasz Athéné Educationis Foundation.

Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development:

Higher education in horticulture has been taking place in Kecskemét since 1962. At the Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development, in addition to the traditional bachelor's degree in horticultural engineering with a history spanning several decades, we train professionals with modern knowledge, meeting European Union expectations, in agricultural engineering, rural development agricultural engineering bachelor's programs, as well as horticultural engineering and rural development agricultural engineering master's programs.

The Faculty of Horticulture conducts extensive research activities both domestically and internationally, primarily in applied research topics. These cover the areas of ornamental plant, fruit, viticulture, and vegetable cultivation, plant protection, mechanization, economics, rural development, as well as environmental protection, nutrient management, and water supply.

The services of the faculty's accredited Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory are regularly used by approximately three thousand farmers. The teaching and research work and advisory activities are supported by modernly equipped laboratories and the 270-hectare teaching farm located on the outskirts of the city. Practical training is supported by a demonstration garden, greenhouses, and foil growing facilities.