Balogh Judit November 4, 2025

The University of Debrecen hosted the regional selection of the 35th National Science and Innovation Olympiad

Seventy secondary school students entered the round with almost fifty entries. The aim of the competition is to provide students with an opportunity to present and develop their creative, scientific, and innovative work.

Dávid Szeőcs created a special drone for the regional selection competition of the National Science and Innovation Olympiad. With the help of his father, he dreamed up a structure that, like a helicopter, can take off without remote control. “It’s a new idea that no one in the world has ever done with drones, because no matter how much I searched, I couldn’t find anything like it. The takeoff and landing with the drone worked, and I succeeded with my own methods, with my own control system,” said Dávid Szeőcs.

Secondary school students could apply for the talent search and talent development competition in technical, natural science, environmental protection, IT, and mathematics topics. Seventy students applied for the regional round in Debrecen with 47 entries.

According to Rector Zoltán Szilvássy, the university students of the future are tested here. “You are part of an innovation system—and whether you’ll succeed is backed by proof: those who joined before you have achieved great things and continue to do so. From now on, the consultation is open to you,” stated Zoltán Szilvássy.

The chairman of the jury of the regional round was Mayor László Papp. In his welcoming speech, he spoke about how in the past decade and a half, the conditions have been created in this region for talented young people to realize their potential. “In Debrecen, industries have strengthened in recent years that will clearly be the driving forces of the 21st century; they are particularly innovation-sensitive, particularly R&D-sensitive, and this gives you the opportunity to develop further on the path you have started,” the mayor expressed as a message.

National finalists can earn extra points for admission to most Hungarian higher education institutions.

Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu