First Successful Doctoral Defense at the Pekár Imre Doctoral School of Mechanical Engineering – Attila Kostyák Awarded PhD Degree with Summa Cum Laude Distinctio
Hír First Successful Doctoral Defense at the Pekár Imre Doctoral School of Mechanical Engineering – Attila Kostyák Awarded PhD Degree with Summa Cum Laude Distinctio has been updated.
The Doctoral School’s inaugural public defense became a dignified, memorable milestone. Attila Kostyák delivered an outstanding, confident, and well-structured presentation of his research, setting a remarkable standard for future candidates.
On December 4, the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Debrecen hosted the first public doctoral defense in the history of the Pekár Imre Doctoral School of Mechanical Engineering. The candidate presented his dissertation, “Reducing the Cooling Energy Demand of Air Handling Systems with an Indirect Evaporative Air Cooler,” before the Committee and an expert audience. The scientific depth and polished delivery of his lecture both reflected a high academic standard, providing a fitting and exemplary start to the School’s series of doctoral defenses.
New Scientific Contributions in Indirect Evaporative Cooling
Attila Kostyák’s research focused on optimizing energy efficiency and water usage in indirect evaporative air-cooling systems. During the course of his work, he:
- introduced the concept of the water utilization index,
- developed a new relationship describing the flow mass rate,
- defined the conditions necessary for the simultaneous minimization of cooling energy demand and water consumption.
His results have been published in reputable international journals, presented at major conferences, and several of his findings have already been successfully implemented in practice.
A Successful Defense Demonstrating High Scientific Quality
The Evaluation Committee was chaired by Prof. Ferenc Kalmár. Members:
- Dr. Tamás Mankovits, Associate Professor
- Dr. József Menyhárt, Associate Professor
- Dr. Balázs Cakó, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Levente Herczeg, Assistant Professor
Official reviewers:
- Dr. Gábor L. Szabó, Associate Professor
- Dr. Gábor Géczi, Associate Professor
Supervisor: Dr. Imre Csáky, Associate Professor.
Throughout the defense, Attila Kostyák presented his scientific achievements clearly, precisely, and thoughtfully. He responded to the Committee’s questions with well-founded, professionally convincing answers. Based on the reviewers’ recommendations, five theses were accepted as new scientific results, while a sixth thesis was acknowledged as practically valuable but not classified as a new scientific contribution.
Summa Cum Laude Distinction
Recognizing both the dissertation and the high standard of performance during the defense, the Committee proposed that Attila Kostyák be awarded the PhD degree with summa cum laude distinction.
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Debrecen extends its heartfelt congratulations to Attila Kostyák for his outstanding scientific achievements and for earning his doctoral title. The Faculty is proud that the Doctoral School’s first defense was conducted at such a distinguished academic level.