Prinz Awards Ceremony – Prinz Day – Our Geography professional workshop

Award

As part of a ceremony held on Earth Day, April 22, 2026, the most outstanding geographers of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Pécs were once again recognized: the senior award was presented to Dr. László Gyuricza, while the junior award was received by Tamás Wittmann.

The annually organized Prinz Day is one of the institute’s most important community events, paying tribute to Professor Gyula Prinz, the founder of the Pécs school of geography. The aim of the award is to recognize outstanding achievements in teaching, mentoring, and research in the fields of Earth and geographical sciences. This year’s ceremony was made particularly special by its symbolic timing, as the event was organized on Earth Day, further emphasizing the global and local responsibility of the discipline.

The event was opened by Dr. Gábor Pirisi, Director of the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, who noted in his speech: by organizing the award ceremony on Earth Day, we have found a symbolic occasion that finally anchors this recognition in a way worthy of its place in the life of the institute. Representing the university leadership, Dr. András Trócsányi, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, welcomed the attendees. In his speech, he highlighted that the Prinz Gyula Award is unique within the faculty, with a long-standing and unbroken tradition spanning decades. Representing the city leadership, Deputy Mayor Gábor Zag emphasized the close relationship between science and local government, expressing his gratitude for the institute’s continuous professional support.

In the junior category, this year’s award was presented to Tamás Wittmann, a PhD student. In his research, he uniquely combines psychology and geography, examining the demographic and geopolitical processes of the Baranya Triangle and the Balkans through the lens of historical trauma. The commendation also highlighted that alongside his academic work, he sets an example as a father of three.

This year’s recipient of the award in the professorial category was Dr. László Gyuricza, associate professor. Over the course of his nearly four-decade career, he has introduced thousands of students to the intricacies of regional physical geography and tourism. Through his work as a travel organizer, he has enabled many people to experience landscapes and cultures firsthand, while his research activities are internationally recognized and have significantly contributed to Hungarian geography.

Following the formal ceremony, participants proceeded to the Botanical Garden in accordance with tradition, where they laid a wreath at the statue of Gyula Prinz, and concluded the event with a professional program.

Congratulations to our colleagues!

Source: PTE News Centre