In the past six months, the John von Neumann Computer Society (NJSZT) has undergone significant changes and achieved notable results. This year, the Society is led by Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács, who, upon his election as President and together with the renewed Board, made it clear that the NJSZT brand must be strengthened, the organisation rejuvenated, and its position redefined both in Hungarian society and in the international professional arena. “The Neumann Society can demonstrate value – and make a value proposition to potential industrial, professional and other supporters – if it can present its professional sections as assets,” the new President emphasised at a meeting with section leaders.
Talent development
One of the NJSZT’s key missions remains talent development. The Society organises and coordinates national informatics competitions, training for the international olympiads in informatics, and the participation of Hungarian teams in these prestigious events. This year, Hungary hosted the International Informatics Olympiad in Teams (IIOT), where the local organisers and the Society ensured a high-quality event through exemplary cooperation.
Enhancing digital awareness
Enhancing digital awareness among citizens is also a high priority, and in this spirit the NJSZT is developing a new Artificial Intelligence module for the ICDL programme. The Society has also strengthened its role in cybersecurity: the Hungarian Cybersecurity Cluster has become an organisational member, creating opportunities for joint professional projects and knowledge sharing.
Supporting young talent
While in past decades the NJSZT primarily supported primary and secondary school students, this year it has also reached out to university students and young researchers. In cooperation with the National Association for Student Research (OTDT), the Hungarian Association for Innovation (MISZ) and the National Innovation Agency (NIÜ), John von Neumann Computer Society launched the first innOtdk programme for participants of the 37th National Student Research Conference (OTDK), specifically to support works with innovation potential. In addition, the Society supported a total of 60 papers across 20 sections, personally recognising the talented young authors at the awards ceremony.
Preserving IT heritage
Preserving IT heritage remains a key task: at the Informatics History Exhibition in Szeged, maintained by the Society, a new exhibition opened on internationally renowned computer pioneer László Kalmár. The Society also took part in the Digital Thematic Week, the Girls in ICT career orientation day, and the Night of Museums, while continuing to develop its online collection, the Informatics History Database (ita.njszt.hu).
Recognising excellence
In the spirit of recognising scientific excellence worthy of John von Neumann, the Neumann Professorship was once again awarded this year in cooperation with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), to world-renowned researcher Botond Roska receiving the honour.
The events of the past six months demonstrate that the Neumann Society simultaneously preserves Hungarian and international computing heritage, develops digital competences, and actively fosters young talent. The renewed leadership aims for the NJSZT to represent its values and professional expertise even more strongly in both domestic and international arenas in the future.
