Obuda University

Mission Statement

The Product Design Institute (PDI) aims to train industrial product design engineers who are capable of designing, producing, and marketing industrial products. The goal of the Industrial Product Design program is to prepare professionals who can meet the challenges of a dynamic market economy with flexibility and efficiency, supported by their technical, aesthetic, human, and economic knowledge and skills. Graduates possess the ability to perform independent, creative work throughout all phases of product development, and are capable of managing the innovation process, including the material, organizational, and human resources required for product development, as well as the various stages of the product life cycle. They also acquire sufficient theoretical knowledge to continue their studies in the second cycle of higher education or to participate effectively in conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design processes within industrial teams or company structures. The Antal Bejczy Center for Intelligent Robotics (ABC) operates within the University Research and Innovation Centre (EKIK). The iRob Intelligent Robotics Centre is dedicated to advancing the science and technology of robotics, primarily in service applications. The establishment of the ABC Intelligent Robotics Centre was a direct response to the growing demand for integrated education and application-oriented robotics development. The Centre’s objectives include developing expertise in manufacturing engineering, system testing, validation, and commercialisation. From a technical perspective, it provides Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to other university units and external partners. Its success lies in integrating mechatronics, software design, and usability research to create the next generation of robotic technologies. ABC aspires to become a centre of excellence for R&D in service robotics, including medical, social, and cloud robotics. Initially, its focus is on technology development, particularly on new devices, robot platforms, and sensors with advanced control structures and user interfaces. The Ybl Miklós Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering (YMF) aims to prepare students to apply their comprehensive knowledge in environmental design and architecture. Significant emphasis is placed on a solid theoretical foundation and high-level design training. The curriculum maintains a balance between creative and technical disciplines, developing a wide range of skills in both visual arts and engineering. The goal of the YMF study program is to transfer knowledge in a structured manner and to provide marketable, up-to-date competencies by introducing contemporary methods, materials, structures, and software that reflect the profession’s continuous evolution.

International Role

Students of Óbuda University collaborate with partner institutions in 153 countries worldwide. The Product Design Institute (PDI) is a member of the ERASMUS and CEEPUS educational networks and has been actively involved in organizing international design and scientific conferences, including the ISDIT section of the IJCELIT International Conference. PDI maintains partnerships with universities in Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, Central Asia, and the Far East. Since 2016, PDI has been offering the Industrial Product Engineering program to international students, several of whom have already successfully graduated from the Industrial Design Engineering BSc program. The iRob Intelligent Robotics Centre (ABC) is an independent platform within Óbuda University, built upon a strong national and international network of partner institutions and companies, particularly across Europe and North America. The key objectives of the Ybl Miklós Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering (YMF) are to connect theoretical foundations with design practice and to develop the skills necessary for effective international teamwork. The Faculty’s academic staff have extensive experience and recognized expertise both within Central and Eastern Europe and beyond the region. This provides students with valuable opportunities to initiate and participate in collaborative programs and projects in their respective home countries.

National Role

The Product Design Institute (PDI) of the Rejtő Sándor Faculty at Óbuda University is one of Hungary’s leading institutions, playing a key role in promoting and disseminating design awareness nationwide. The Institute maintains an extensive network of industrial and business connections with SMEs and collaborates with national and regional organisations, including the Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency, the Association of Hungarian Light Industry, and its branch, the Hungarian Society of Textile Technology and Science (TMTE). PDI has been actively involved in organizing national design and scientific conferences and events, including the Focused On series within the framework of Budapest Design Week, and the Pro Fashion series, which aims to create a professional platform for Hungarian textile and fashion experts. The Institute also participates in student exchange programs with numerous design schools worldwide. The initial objectives of the Antal Bejczy Center for Intelligent Robotics (ABC) include the reform and modernization of the university’s robotics education, as well as providing a permanent resource and research base for students interested in robotics.

Main Focus

The aim of the Industrial Design Engineering program is to train industrial product and design engineers capable of designing, manufacturing, and distributing industrial products, particularly within the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Graduates of the program are technical specialists and creative, out-of-the-box thinkers who primarily focus on designing, manufacturing, and distributing durable consumer products and personal-use items. With their comprehensive knowledge and skills in technology, aesthetics, the humanities, and economics, they can perform independent creative work across all phases of product development. They also understand the product development innovation process, as well as the material, organisational, and human resources required, and are capable of managing product life cycles. Graduates are also prepared to continue their studies in master’s or doctoral programs. In 2020, the YMF, established 140 years ago, became part of OU, thereby enhancing the university’s educational portfolio in the field of art. The addition of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Architecture has further diversified the institution’s academic profile. YMF places a strong emphasis on developing students’ ability to recognize the various sub-disciplines of architecture and to integrate them creatively into the overall design process. Its training program is specifically designed to foster this capability. A distinctive feature of our architectural education is the prominence of the workshop method. Unlike traditional chronological knowledge transfer, YMF’s project-based curriculum stands out nationally for its thematic approach to teaching. This innovative methodology encourages students to move beyond conventional learning and engage in a more dynamic, interactive, and creative educational experience.