Festetics Imre Agricultural Biotechnology College for Advanced Studies

Last modified: 06. October 2026

The Festetics Imre Agricultural Biotechnology College for Advanced Studies is primarily focused on the fields of genetics, gene preservation, and biotechnology. We organize numerous professional lectures reflecting the latest research trends in collaboration with our host institute and other departments of the university. Our aim is to familiarize students with these often less explored topics and provide answers to their questions.

In addition to educational lectures, we regularly arrange laboratory visits where students, under the guidance of renowned researchers, can learn about the latest methodological approaches and even have the opportunity to try them firsthand. Every academic year, we also organize professional and community-building excursions through grant funding. These excursions include visits to institutions actively involved in gene conservation, such as the Budapest Zoo, the Tropicarium Budapest, the National Botanic Garden in Vácrátót, and the Hungarian Natural History Museum. Our College also organizes events in English for international students.

The Festetics Imre Agricultural Biotechnology College for Advanced Studies continues the activities of the former Festetics Imre Molecular Biology Student Circle. The Student Circle operated for many years under the leadership of Dr. Zsolt Galli, who invited distinguished researchers and doctoral students to deliver lectures, thereby establishing a tradition that our College continues today. The College's namesake, Imre Festetics, was the brother of György Festetics, the founder of the Georgikon, and played a prominent role in Hungarian agricultural education. Imre Festetics not only carried out significant breeding work but also made important contributions to the development of genetics in Hungary.

Our Colleges operates under the professional guidance of the Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, whose mission is to disseminate the findings, discoveries, and applications of genetics, agricultural biotechnology, and related fields not only through university courses but also through other educational forums. Collaboration with the College provides an excellent opportunity to achieve this goal, while enabling participation by students from across the university.

College President: Arnold Tóth
College Vice President: Alexandra Kitti Vas
Vice President for international students: Seif Soliman
College Academic Advisor: Dr. Bánk Pápai 

Host Institute: MATE - Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology