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Engineering doesn’t stop at borders—and Professors Stanislaw Legutko (Poland) and Zoltán Kovács (Hungary) are living proof. With decades of experience in mechanical engineering education and research, they are leading figures in the CEEPUS programme, a Central European academic mobility network. In this interview, they reflect on their careers, the role of language in academia, the evolution of logistics, and why international collaboration is essential for the next generation of engineers.

When did your interest in engineering begin?

Stanislaw Legutko: It goes back many years. I initially considered agricultural studies—I grew up on a farm and excelled in biology and chemistry. But my physics teacher had a remarkable teaching style that inspired me to pursue technical education. I later applied his methods in my own engineering work, particularly in machining.

Zoltán Kovács: My journey was quite similar. I was born in Ukraine’s Carpathian region and continued my education in Hungary. I studied agricultural engineering in Nyíregyháza and stayed on as a lecturer after graduation. I’ve been teaching at the same university since 1999. The name has changed over the years, but I’ve remained part of its academic life.

Legutko: I also stayed at my alma mater—first as an assistant, then earning my doctorate. I’ve held the title of professor for over 20 years, awarded by the President of Poland.

Stanislaw, you speak several languages besides your mother tongue; we counted nine: English, Russian, Slovak, French, German, Bulgarian, Croatian, Serbian, and Czech. What motivated you?

For me, language learning is inseparable from collaboration. In the CEEPUS network, I work with 29 international partners and only three from Poland. I’ve been involved for nearly 30 years. Whenever I have time, I enjoy learning new languages. For six consecutive years, I visited Croatia annually through a CEEPUS project. After each trip, I would write down two pages of new vocabulary—it was excellent practice. I often prepare multilingual presentations—Polish, Czech, and others—to make my lectures accessible to everyone.

Kovács: I remember a PhD conference in Czechia where everyone presented in their native language. There were students from Czechia, Poland, Slovakia—and just the two of us from Hungary. We were the only one who had to speak in English.

Legutko: Yes, Hungarian is a mystery to most people. But I always try to learn the local language. In Romania, by my third visit to Cluj, a colleague warned others: “Be careful—Stanislaw understands what you’re saying!”

Kovács: That’s a true story. Two years ago, there was a conference in Cluj, and Stanislaw gave his speech in Romanian.

Legutko: Yes, there were honorary guests, so I prepared my talk in Romanian, English, and—in one exotic language—in Polish.

You also hold a truck driving license?

Legutko: Yes, all categories except buses. In the 1980s, with a modest salary and three children, I trained as a vehicle evaluation expert to support my family. It required technical studies and a truck license—which I still hold today.

How has mechanical engineering evolved over the years?

Legutko: I’ve worked in machining, machine maintenance, and logistics. Logistics has become especially important in the past two decades. I’ve helped develop curricula and written textbooks in this field.

Kovács: Logistics is now central to global operations. Just think of the chaos when the Suez Canal was blocked—it showed how vital logistics is to modern life.

How does Central Europe compare to other regions in terms of research?

Legutko: With proper funding and equipment, world-class research can be conducted anywhere. Scientific quality isn’t determined by geography. I’ve published in top-tier journals and was ranked among the top 2% of global researchers by Stanford University.

Kovács: What matters is the quality of your ideas and your access to tools. If you have both, the world is open to you.

Tell us about your award-winning CEEPUS project. The title of this project is INTEGRATION “Development of mechanical engineering (design, technology and production management) as an essential base for progress in the area of small and medium companies’ logistics - research, preparation and implementation of joint programs of study in the aspect of Industry 4.0

Legutko: I coordinate this CEEPUS network with a rather long name—because it integrates multiple engineering disciplines: design, calculation, technology, manufacturing, maintenance, logistics, and Industry 4.0/5.0. All of this is framed around the Product Life Cycle (PLC): idea, design, production, usage, and recycling. Our goal is to connect these phases and the experts behind them.

The project began as a didactic initiative, but thanks to personal connections, we’ve expanded into research collaborations and joint publications. It’s now much more than just teaching.

Kovács: Recently, I visited Tomas Bata University in Czechia. They’re researching composite materials, and there’s a Hungarian aircraft company that needs new composites for building planes. I’m now working to connect the university and the company in a joint project. This mobility programme isn’t just for universities—it can involve industry too.

Legutko: I started with 10 partners. Now I have 32.

Kovács: It’s like a Christmas tree—every year we add new ornaments.

What does the CEEPUS Ministry Award mean to you?

Legutko: It’s a great honour. I’ve been involved in CEEPUS for 30 years—perhaps I’m the oldest partner. I’ve had friendly competition with colleagues like Sorin Grozav, and this year I won. But it’s always been about collaboration, not rivalry.

Kovács: These awards reflect not only academic excellence but also the strength of human relationships within the network. Personal connections are essential. If you have a question, you can ask anyone in the network—and we support each other.

Do you have any memorable experiences connected to CEEPUS?

Legutko: Honestly, today might be one of them. It’s a celebratory moment. But what I value most are the regular exchanges and collaborations.

Kovács: Meeting new professors and students each year expands both professional and personal horizons. That’s the most valuable part for me.

What advice would you give to young researchers?

Legutko: Work. And work.

Kovács: Work hard and be patient. Every generation has its own habits. My son is part of the Alpha generation—it’s very different. But the core values remain.

Why should students join CEEPUS?

Legutko: Students love to travel and explore. CEEPUS gives them the chance to study in a new city, meet new people, and experience different academic environments. They can even write their thesis at a partner university within the network.

That’s one of the most unique aspects of the programme, according to students. If someone wants to write their thesis at your university, what can they expect?

Legutko: They can attend lectures, participate in exercises, and work in laboratories. They can conduct experiments.

Kovács: There’s a three-month option for diploma students, which fits well into their academic schedule. They can attend lectures, do lab work, consult professors, and even visit companies like LEGO and Michelin. My advice to students is simple: Don’t miss it. Try it.

Last modified: 16-10-2025