The History of Our University
The history of Kodolányi János University began in 1992 in Székesfehérvár. The founders were Lajos Rockenbauer, Péter Szabó (later rector), and István Balsay (then mayor of Székesfehérvár). The founders of this institution of higher education—established at that time as a foundation—chose the name János Kodolányi out of respect for János Kodolányi’s work and in honor of the writer’s close ties to Székesfehérvár.
The institution underwent significant growth in a short period of time. In its first year, only 147 students began their studies; by 2002, however, more than 5,000 were enrolled at the college, and a few years later, the student body reached 12,000. This growth was evident not only in the number of students but also in the diversity of the educational offerings and the institution’s professional role.
In 1997, the János Kodolányi High School was established, which soon came to be known colloquially as “Kiskodó.” Starting in 2000, the institution began offering high school-level education. During the same period, a unique, innovative program was also launched: jazz-based popular music education. The initiative was considered groundbreaking in Hungary, and over the years, numerous well-known Hungarian and international performers have graduated from the program. Music thus became not merely a field of study, but also one of Kodolányi’s distinctive intellectual and cultural legacies. Kodolányi was a market leader in training programs for language teachers, tourism professionals, agricultural specialists, and international relations specialists, and it was here that the country’s first program for communication specialists was launched.
This development was accompanied by a series of professional and quality-related accolades. In 2004, the institution won the IIASA Shiba Award; in 2006, the Hungarian Quality e-Learning Award; and in 2007, among other honors, the EFQM Recognized for Excellence 5-star certification and the Hungarian National Quality Award. The E-Quality European Quality Award also signaled that Kodolányi strove to play a leading role in the areas of educational quality and innovation.
Over the decades, Kodolányi’s educational locations have also changed. In addition to Székesfehérvár, the institution maintained a presence in Budapest, and for a time also operated in Orosháza and Siófok, where it ran one of Europe’s most prestigious educational facilities. As of February 1, 2021, the headquarters of Kodolányi János University returned to Székesfehérvár after a period in Orosháza, reaffirming its historical and professional ties to the city.
The 2010s marked another milestone in the institution’s history. On August 1, 2018, Kodolányi János College was granted university status and has operated under the name Kodolányi János University ever since. Today, the university offers programs in the fields of economics, social sciences, humanities, arts, and information technology, continuing to place great emphasis on modern, practice-oriented knowledge that is aligned with the changing needs of the labor market.
The institution’s ownership structure has also changed in recent years. In 2020, Kodolányi János University came under the ownership of Docler Holding, and then, effective June 1, 2023, a new owner, Pro Universitate Albensis Education, Investment, and Coordination Ltd., assumed ownership of the operating company.
This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Kodolányi János University: the institution is now part of an intellectual and educational community focused on knowledge, innovation, and supporting the region’s development.
Over the course of more than three decades, Kodolányi’s history has thus evolved from a college that began with 147 students into a diverse, university-level institution. However, despite changing eras, locations, programs, and governing structures, one constant has remained throughout: the commitment to the transmission of knowledge and to modern, open-minded higher education.