Diákhálózat – Student Network

Diákhálózat – Student Network (SN) is a countrywide non-profit organization which was created to connect Hungarian university students in Slovak and Czech Republic. It was established in 1991. The Student Network has 6 member organizations in the following towns: Praha, Brno, Bratislava, Trnava, Nitra and Košice. The previously mentioned locations/towns were chosen because of the higher percentage of Hungarian university students. The member organizations are working on local level while the Student Network is arching them over on a nation-wide level.  

The activities of SN covers 3 areas: protection of the interests of Hungarian students, education and culture.

     The term protection of the interests to be seen taking a position and enforce interests in the fields of education and other issues related to youth. To be able to accomplish these goals effectively, SN is a member of various forums such as the Youth Council of Slovakia (Rada mládeže Slovenska), the Hungarian Youth Conference (Magyar Ifjúsági Konferencia), Consonance (Összhang), Youth Civil Forum (Ifjúsági Civil Fórum).

     In educational area the organization has numerous programs such as Scientific Youth Conference, Professional Experience Program, issuing of student magazine Alma Mater, University Information Tour, publication Where next? and the DiNaMit. In addition,  the Student Network deals with general consultance regarding to university studies, intercession of scholarships, offers trainings and educational programs abroad and organizing trainings on developing various skills and abilities. The common aim of the above mentioned activities is to facilitate the acquirement of Hungarian technical terminology for students studying in Slovak and Czech languages and thus prepare them for the start of their career.

In the field of culture we can mention the traditional summer youth camp, which has been organized from the eighties. This program has a unique atmosphere and style marking out from the mass of other summer programs. Recommended to everybody who hasn´t attended it yet, it will be a memorable experience! :)

The SN works on voluntary basis governed by young university students. It is a politically independent organization, operating from various government and foundation contributions and of sponsoring. The headquarters are located in Bratislava, Klariská 7.

The main goals of the organization are:

• The protection and presentation of interest in the professional field, education and culture

• Protection and cultivation of the Hungarian national culture and traditions

• Motivation of the young Hungarian intelligence to participate in national and international scientific and professional life

• Reducing emigration of young Hungarian intelligence

Several programs of the SN

Educational trainings for university students - educational trainings are organized twice a year. Volunteers and activists of the SN chairmanship and its member organizations participate in educational training weekends. Those present have the possibility to learn the skills needed for working in the civil sector. On the other hand they make a lot of new friends which helps for the active future cooperation between the member organizations.

Generally the meeting of the student parliament of the SN takes places during these trainings. On these board meetings the reports of every member organization can be heard out, than the previous half year is evaluated, ideas are discussed, common problems are being solved and in the end the goals and plans are set for the upcoming period.

University Information Tour – the aim of this program is the introduction the higher education opportunities in Slovakia and the Czech Republic for the Hungarian secondary school students. The popularization of higher education is essential between the secondary school students. This tour takes two weeks whereas the representatives of the SN and its member organizations visit secondary schools with Hungarian teaching language. The representatives try to give the last year students relevant information (also coming from individual experience) about the various universities by holding presentations. Their guidance does not end with the presentation. Giving free consultancy personally or electronically helps the adolescents in choosing the best university and faculty. Every student receives the Where Next? publication which is updated on a yearly basis including all information about the educational system, contacts for universities and each faculty, Hungarian youth organizations and student life in general. 

Alma Mater student magazine - the magazine is published four times a year. Its aim is to provide an opportunity for students to publish their work in the field of science, culture, literature, music, etc. and to inform about the current issues relating to youth. Alma Mater also serves for familiarizing the public with the activities of the SN and its member organizations. Another goal is the promotion of the Student Network´s programs and free-time activities for the target group. The journal is free and it is available in libraries, bookstores and schools in the territory of southern Slovakia where the density of Hungarian population is higher.

DiNaMit - training for active secondary school students – DiNaMit is a common program of the SN and the Nagyító Foundation which aims to help the development of the student unions and increasing the level of education in secondary schools with Hungarian teaching language. This objective is achieved through the training and development of active secondary school students. The trainings are held during four weekends where students attend communication, self-knowledge, leadership, team-work trainings and the focus is also on the improvement of their organizational skills and abilities. The essence of the training lies in teaching the students through informal educational methods, they learn from different situations experienced during the training, from making new contacts and from various team-building activities.

Scientific Youth Conference – the conference is organized annually in cooperation with the  Hungarian departments of Comenius University in Bratislava, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica and also János Selye University Komárno. University students participate on the conference with their works and projects from different areas. Their works are evaluated and then rated by university professors and experts. The best works are rewarded financially or materially. The conference is also a good opportunity for students presenting themselves in front of professional public and for improving their Hungarian technical terminology.

Professional experience - the SN is in a partnership with several companies in Hungary and the Slovak Republic which annually provide craftsmanship places in their facilities for young people. Students have the opportunity to get to know how the given organization and to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. The firms and the companies are becoming potential employers after the students graduate.

Summer Youth Camp - has been annually organized since the late eighties. Its aim is to provide high quality programs for summer entertainment and it is a good place for Hungarian youth to get to know each other. The Summer Youth Camp provides a wide range of programs, so everybody can find what suits him or her. In the morning there are lectures, speeches and interviews with famous public figures, in the afternoon are various sports activities and excursions. In the evenings everybody can have fun on concerts, discos and teambuilding activities.