The Győr-Moson-Sopron County Local Government held a ceremonial assembly on the occasion of the founding of the state, on the 20th of August. On the event the honorary titles of the county was given. Dr. Ferenc Szauter, associate professor, head of the Vehicle Industry Research Center of the Széchenyi István University got the Gróf Széchényi Ferenc award, dr. Zoltán Alexay, a retired associate professor at the university, received the Dr. Andor Csizmadia Award from Zoltán Németh, the chairman of the county government.
The following was said in the praise: dr. Ferenc Szauter is a research engineer and head of the Vehicle Industry Research Center of the Széchenyi István University with international participation and influence, and a lecturer at the Department of Road and Railway Vehicles. He completed his higher and master’s studies in Győr, majoring in automotive engineering and traffic engineering. The place of his PhD studies was also the Széchenyi István University. After the successful completion of the Multidisciplinary Doctoral School of Technical Sciences, he received his PhD title in 2017. At the beginning of his research career, he specialized in the operation, development and infrastructure of alternative transport systems.
As a research engineer, Dr. Ferenc Szauter is one of the key figures in the ZalaZONE program of the Zalaegerszeg automotive test track.Even as a student, he was one of the founders of the alternative propulsion vehicles professional workshop, which is the SZEnergy talent development team. SZEnergy, mentored by him, won the first place in the Shell Eco Marathon European energy efficiency competition. His today’s research and education specializes are mobility and the study of the interactions between the environment, the automotive industry, energy and the environment. The results of his activities represent Győr-Moson-Sopron county in scientific life, they display and enrich the vision and research values of the automotive industry.
Dr. Zoltán Alexay is a biologist, nature photographer and retired associate professor, graduating from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Szeged in 1961. After that, he was a teacher at the Ferenc Kazinczy Grammar School in Győr, and then the science secretary of the Győr-Moson-Sopron county of the Scientific Dissemination Society. Later he became a lecturer and associate professor at the Széchenyi István College in Győr. He is a professional Scientist of Szigetköz, hiker and well-known photographer. His oeuvre contains tens of thousands of photographs depicting nature and the landscape.He has been publishing on the subject of nature conservation for more than half a century.His books have been published since 1975, mainly in connection with Szigetköz and its wildlife. He has also been involved in disseminating knowledge and teaching for nearly half a century.
With the oeuvre of Dr. Zoltán Alexay, he greatly contributed to the acquaintance and popularization of the natural treasures of Kisalföld and Szigetköz. His volumes, photographs and exhibitions have helped generations to discover Szigetköz and learn about its treasures. His work is outstanding in the field of environmental protection.