Recognition of Professional Excellence 

Rewarding professional excellence has always been part of academia. Whether in culture, science, or other fields, the greatest recognition is often the validation received from others. The Master Teacher Gold Medal honors university professors engaged in research who have supported students’ work in the Scientific Students’ Associations Conference (TDK) for over a decade. Közgazdász Online (KGO) interviewed Dr. Melinda Jászberényi, this year’s awardee from the Economics Section, about her approach to talent development and her future goals. 

Motivation and Achievements 

Dr. Melinda Jászberényi is a professor at Corvinus University of Budapest and head of the Mobility and Tourism Research Center. She has always been inspired by the scientific study of social and economic phenomena occurring in mobility, tourism, and everyday life. Currently, her research focuses on tourism service management, with special emphasis on the development of cultural tourism, technological innovation, and the sectoral impacts of artificial intelligence. She also sees it as her mission to guide talented students and help them find the field where they can achieve outstanding success. 

When asked whether she had noticed any change in students’ willingness to participate in scientific work over the years, she replied: 

“I’ve always had the opportunity to work with many talented students, and that hasn’t changed. The topics and methodological tools are constantly evolving, which makes it an exciting and inspiring challenge for me as well. I feel privileged to be part of the process as the digital-native generation matures into scientists—it’s an incredible experience.” 

For Dr. Jászberényi, it is a great joy and source of pride that many of her students have achieved national or international success—whether at the OTDK, through earning PhDs, pursuing academic careers, or taking up leadership positions. She emphasized that students involved in the TDK must develop a deep scientific curiosity and master research methodologies thoroughly. Preparing for the TDK benefits both student and mentor: 

“During the process, the collaboration becomes far more intense and personalized than in a regular course” — she noted. 

Students most often ask Dr. Jászberényi to supervise projects in tourism management, cultural tourism, and mobility, though the use of AI in tourism is becoming increasingly popular among undergraduates. She typically mentors several students simultaneously, though the number varies each year. She also supervises PhD candidates and helps coordinate surveys on sustainable travel attitudes among students. 

Receiving the Master Teacher Gold Medal was a great honor for her—especially since the Economics Section is one of the largest within the OTDK, yet no more than three professors may receive the award each year. For Dr. Jászberényi, the distinction serves as a reaffirmation that supporting young talent and pursuing research are worthwhile endeavors. This year, Dr. Melinda Jászberényi and Milán Csaba Badics were the two recipients from Corvinus University. 

Future Goals 

Dr. Jászberényi is driven by numerous ongoing projects, including her work as head of the Corvinus Mobility and Tourism Research Center. Within their OTKA (National Research, Development and Innovation Office) project, her team investigates the effects of AI on spatial patterns of tourism and consumer decision-making. Similarly large-scale projects are linked to the HU-RIZONT program, one of which explores technology acceptance and AI’s transformative power across sectors, while another examines mobility management and the socio-economic impacts of smart solutions. 

The center aims to collaborate with renowned international partner universities, including The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Imperial College London, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Such partnerships would provide an international context for the center’s research. 

To support teaching material development, Dr. Jászberényi serves as editor-in-chief of the Tourism and Mobility book series, which now includes 27 volumes. The next publication will focus on regenerative tourism and active and ecotourism. In addition to managing two postgraduate programs, she continues to explore forward-looking topics as head of the Department of Tourism and the Mobility and Tourism Research Center, helping students achieve ever greater success. 

As part of this mission, the most successful students and mentors in the OTDK Tourism Section are invited to publish their research in the journal Tourism Bulletin, edited by Dr. Jászberényi. The journal is ranked as a Category B publication by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, which marks it as a high-quality academic outlet and a key reference point within its field. 

To students interested in joining TDK, Dr. Jászberényi offered the following advice: 

“The most important thing is to choose a topic that truly interests you—that’s how you can fully develop your potential. Keep an open mind to current trends, and learn how to contribute original ideas to the scientific discourse. Such dedication not only supports professional growth but also greatly enhances career prospects.” 

If you’d like to learn more about this year’s other 2025 awardees, you can read about Pro Scientia Award winner Marcell Kiss’s experiences in this article, and explore the insights and advice of Áron Török and Veronika Pelle, both Master Teacher Gold Medal recipients, here. 

Source: Közgazdász Online 

Written by: Tamás H. Varga 

Photo: Zsolt Bocskay