Vice-Dean of the University of Sopron Wins "Professional Role Model" Award

The unique thing about the Lecturer of the Year Award is that both the nominations and the final winners are decided entirely by the students themselves. This is exactly why the recognition means so much to Prof. Dr. Kósa.

"This award means a great deal to me because, at the end of the day, the students' opinion is what matters most. We are here at the university to guide them to a level of knowledge where they can step out into the real world with true confidence," he said.

It was a particularly welcome surprise for him that he received votes not only from current students at the University of Sopron, but also from his former workplace, the University of Pécs.

"It was a wonderful feeling to get that feedback from there as well, showing that I’m doing something right—or rather, we are doing something right. Because this is always a team effort," he emphasized.

He added that the success behind any teaching career relies on the entire university community. He highlighted the supportive vision of the University of Sopron’s leadership, which creates the ideal environment for educators to truly focus on their students and the transfer of knowledge.

"The right conditions are in place for us to actually focus on teaching. For me, this award is proof that we are moving in the right direction and doing our jobs well. I truly hope my colleagues get to experience this same joy and positive feedback."

For Prof. Dr. Balázs Kósa, entering education wasn't a sudden career choice, but a lifelong journey. Growing up in a family of educators, a passion for teaching has naturally spanned multiple generations.

"It wasn’t a single turning point; it was a process. My whole life has essentially been about education. But I’m not the type of lecturer who just stands up at the podium. I prefer to sit down among the students and spark a real conversation."

He summed up his pedagogical philosophy with a simple metaphor:

"We can go as far as opening the door for the student. But it’s a much better situation when the student chooses to cross that threshold on their own."

In his view, an educator's job is not to hand out ready-made answers, but to help students figure out how to find them. He also noted that teaching is something that can only be done with absolute dedication.

"You have to put your heart and soul into it. Sometimes we have to act a bit like strict parents who demand a lot, but even when we are tough, it’s always for the students, never against them."