The University of Debrecen mourns its famous professor

Zsolt Nemesali, who died on September 19 at the age of 79, was a university teacher, professor emeritus, scientist, researcher, scientific organiser, founder of the Doctoral School, head of department, acting director general, scientific vice-rector and secretary. From the Agricultural Committee of the Debrecen Academic Committee, and later Chairman, and Hungarian Scientific Vice-President of the Debrecen Regional Committee of the Academy for two terms – announced the University of Debrecen.

Zsolt Nemesali’s outstanding activity was his duties as President of the immediate legal predecessor of the University of Debrecen, the Senate, which prepared the integration of higher education institutions into Debrecen. The agreement based on the mutual benefit of the participating universities, colleges and research institutes played a decisive role.

It is difficult to count the number of jobs Professor Nemesali held during his active and retired life. At the same time, he was able to remain a human being in the noble sense of the word, despite the high positions and tasks he assumed. His candor, outstanding work ethic, and love for people earned him the appreciation of a younger generation of scholars. His individual character was – and should be – an example to us all.

The famous professor’s work has been embodied in several decades of teaching and research.

During his career, his scientific activities gained recognition in domestic and international circles, but at the same time, he also remained firmly grounded in reality. He published his scientific results in more than 150 publications. His work is known directly and indirectly by his international colleagues who cite his professional results in the USA, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, the Russian Federation – and elsewhere. In Hungary, he presented the current and classical results and axioms of agricultural economics in 37 didactic works. He taught many generations of agricultural economists and agronomists.

Zsolt Nemessályi devoted most of his life to education and research.

Since 1972, his work has been linked to research and the University of Debrecen. He graduated here in 1967, and after four years of work as chief agronomist at Fabianhaza, he was invited by the head of the department, Béla Kadar, to the Castle of Agricultural Sciences in Debrecen. He himself stated that he had changed his job for “half a penny” and traded his successful working life for teaching and research, which still seemed uncertain at the time. I think you are not disappointed. He has been a professor at the University of Debrecen since 1992. His retirement did not mean a slowdown in his illustrious life. As an emeritus professor, he has lived an active and tireless life until now. He supervised doctoral students and edited books.

His work has been recognized by numerous governmental and professional bodies: he is the holder of the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, awarded the Debrecen Academic Committee’s Memorial Plaque, and the Pro Scientiis Agricultura Award in recognition of his efforts. Scientific educational work, of which he was very proud, the Dr. Béla Kadar Award from his parent institution could take over.