Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) was hosting the Children’s University for the ninth time this year, attracting great interest in cars, especially self-driving vehicles.
The venues of the Department of Automotive Technologies were filled with children’s laughter and car horns in the second week of July. Dr. Zsolt Szalay, the head of the department, captivated the upper elementary school students with his lecture, just as he had in previous years. The Children’s University was offering exciting programs for the 8-14 age group, giving them a glimpse into university life. They were attending special lectures in large lecture halls and conducting fascinating experiments in smaller groups.
After his lecture, Dr. Zsolt Szalay remarked:
“It is a great joy for me to see the light of genuine curiosity in the eyes of the youngest generation because a researcher cannot exist without passionate curiosity. As a lecturer, there is a tremendous responsibility when interacting with this age group, as their experiences here can significantly influence their career choices and their entire lives, whether positively or negatively. But the responsibility goes beyond their individual futures. This generation, the next wave of researchers and thinkers, will play a crucial role in shaping the direction of humanity. The world around us is changing and evolving faster than ever before, and it is vital to consider the mindset with which humanity will harness technological advancements.”