Colorful, inspiring spaces at PTE GYTK

The UQA renovation project has been completed at the University of Pécs Faculty of Pharmacy, which was realized with the support of the Hungarian Chamber of Pharmacists (MGYK). The colorful, complex classrooms, which were handed over on January 30, provide an inspiring environment for learning, while the renovated communal spaces further enhance the faculty's family atmosphere.

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Teaching is already underway in the renovated classrooms on the GYTK's Rókus Street campus, which not only represent an improvement in infrastructure but also convey conscious professional and attitude-shaping messages. During the design process, a key objective was to ensure that students would not only encounter aesthetically renovated spaces, but also an environment that visually reinforces their professional identity.

The ceremonial handover of the new classrooms and communal spaces was attended by Dean Dr. András Fittler, Deputy Dean for General, Scientific and Innovation Affairs Dr. Krisztián Kvell, Deputy Dean for Organisational Development and Relations Dr. Szilárd Pál, Rector of the University of Pécs Dr. Attila Miseta, István Decsi, Chancellor, Dr. Norbert Vasváry-Nádor, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Head of Planning and Implementation, and Linda Bánvölgyi, Investment Expert at the Investment and Real Estate Management Department of the University of Pécs. Representing the Hungarian Chamber of Pharmacists at the event were Dr. Zoltán Hankó, president, Dr. Simon Fang, vice president, Attila Horváth-Sziklai, office manager, and Dr. Imre Kőhegyi, president of the Baranya County Organisation.

The walls and interior decorations were designed according to a thematic concept and display content related to pharmaceutical and biotechnology training. One classroom presents inspiring career paths in the pharmaceutical profession, while the other is based on the concept of sustainability. The interpretation of sustainability here consciously goes beyond environmental protection: the concept emphasises that this is a complex approach with many aspects, which is also reflected in the visual world of the room.

The communal spaces have not only been renovated, but also expanded with new functions: monitors placed on the stairwells of the building serve as communication platforms for the institute. These can be used by the individual institutes and the student council to display their own news, elective courses, and other information, thereby strengthening internal professional connections and awareness.

A key element of the project was the symbolic "leaf wall" created on the fourth floor, where each letter motif is linked to a student: at the beginning of their studies, all freshmen receive a letter in the color corresponding to their major, with their name on it, which they can place on the wall and then take with them at the end of their studies.

This leaf motif also appears in the common areas and classrooms, sometimes more prominently, sometimes more subtly, as a decorative and branding element. The youthful appearance of the faculty, which is now 10 years old, is in harmony with and fits in well with the PTE's revamped image from last year. Dr. Norbert Vasváry-Nádor emphasised that during the design process, special attention was paid to the appropriate use of the university's image elements, while at the same time, the visual elements of the image appear on a large scale, as a repeating pattern, and as a wallpaper-like solution, in a way that has not been used elsewhere before.

The aim of creating community spaces themed around the profession of pharmacy was to create functional and aesthetic locations that are suitable for supporting student and faculty community life, informal meetings, and smaller events and discussions.

In addition to students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, product and design students from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology also participated in the design of these spaces: they assembled the furniture together and played an active role in creating the spaces. The goal was to create a workshop and community environment that is based on joint creation and cooperation, not only in terms of function but also in terms of approach.

During the tour, participants also had the opportunity to visit the faculty's new Biotechnology Service Laboratory, which not only meets today's market needs but also supports the research and teaching work of other institutions. The laboratory's equipment, which was purchased from internal university funds, will be continuously expanded in the future so that the service center can fulfill as many orders as possible.

The renovation is an important step in the faculty's infrastructure development, strengthening the cohesion of the university community. The result is a more modern, yet more familiar university environment that serves education, community building, and professional awareness-raising at the same time.

Author: Martina Aknai-Kiss
Photos: Szabolcs Csortos