60 Plus Academy - Research – Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania

The Faculty of Life Sciences and Sports in Sfântu Gheorghe of Sapientia University, together with the Municipality of Sfântu Gheorghe, has launched a lecture series titled 60 Plus Academy, aimed at providing free educational opportunities for seniors. The programme covers a wide range of interesting and practical topics, from health and horticulture to art.

The 60 Plus Academy enables older adults to stay active, engaged, and continually learning, while enjoying the benefits of community-based education. The lectures address important themes such as sustainability, energy management, health, sports, art, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and ecology. 

2026 Edition

In autumn 2026, the 60 Plus Academy continues with six lectures delivered by university lecturers, researchers and public figures. Topics include bilingualism and multilingualism, public education, land registration in Romania, artificial intelligence and art history.

The lectures take place every two weeks at 5:00 p.m. at the Community Space of the Reformed Fortress Church in Sfântu Gheorghe. Participation is free of charge.

Programme

• 15 September – Dr. TÓDOR Erika-Mária, Professor, Director of the Teacher Training Institute of Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania and lecturer at the Humanities Department, Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering, Miercurea Ciuc: A Brain Trained by Words – The Joys and Challenges of a Bilingual or Multilingual Everyday Life
• 29 September – Dr. HAMAR Pál, Professor, Hungarian University of Sports Science; Faculty of Life Sciences and Sports, Sfântu Gheorghe, Sapientia University: Facts and Beliefs about Public Education in the 21st Century
• 13 October – Dr. SZTRANYICZKI Szilárd, Professor, Vice-Rector, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Cluj-Napoca, Sapientia University: Dilemmas of Land Registration in Romania
• 27 October – DÉNES-FAZAKAS Lehel, Research Engineer, Obuda University; Faculty of Life Sciences and Sports, Sfântu Gheorghe, Sapientia University: 60+ Years of Artificial Intelligence – and Still Learning
• 10 November – VÁRALLYAY Réka, PhD student, art historian and university lecturer, University of Pécs, Faculty of Music and Visual Arts, Institute of Fine Arts, Sfântu Gheorghe: The Romantic Artist: Musical and Visual Styles in the First Half of the 19th Century
• 24 November – ANTAL Árpád, Mayor of Sfântu Gheorghe: Active City, Active Ageing: The Importance of Community Engagement After 60

2025 Edition

This year's lecture series begins on September 16, 2025, with an official opening delivered by ANTAL Árpád, Mayor of Sfântu Gheorghe. During the autumn semester, lectures will be held by Dr. TONK Márton on human rights and identity, Dr. NÁHLIK András on the history of forestry education and student traditions, KATÓ Béla on the theme of survival and community resilience, and KONDOR Ágota on mental well-being. In November, Dr. PAP Levente will speak about the role of women in Homeric epics, while renowned photographer KEREKES István will share personal stories in his session titled Életmesék (Life Stories).

The lectures remain free of charge, but require registration. Participants may register online until  September 15, or in person at the conference hall of the Székely Mikó College before the first lecture.

Programme

• September 16 – 17:00: Opening: ANTAL Árpád, Mayor of Sfântu Gheorghe
• September 16 – 17:00: Dr. TONK Márton, rector of the Sapientia University: The End of Human Rights? Identity, Migration, European Utopia
• September 30 – 17:00: Dr. NÁHLIK András, dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences and Sports, Sfântu Gheorghe: The History of Hungarian Higher Forestry Education and Student Traditions from the Štiavnica area, with Transylvanian Connections: Selmecbánya–Sopron–Sfântu Gheorghe
• October 14 – 17:00: KATÓ Béla, retired bishop, president of the Sapientia Foundation: How Do We Stay Alive?
• October 28 – 17:00: KONDOR Ágota, assistant professor, senator, mental health specialist: Mental Well-Being in Old Age
• November 11 – 17:00: Dr. PAP Levente, dean of the Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering, Miercurea Ciuc: The Real Role of Women in the Homeric Epics
• November 25 – 17:00: KEREKES István, distinguished artist of the International Federation of Photographic Art: Életmesék (Life Stories)