Where Does an Engineering Career Begin? – Dr. Zsolt Szalay Inspires a New Generation at BME Children’s University

An engineering career may not begin at university—it may begin years earlier, sparked by a fascinating lecture, an unexpected question, or an inspiring encounter with technology. For many children attending this year’s BME Children’s University, that first spark may have been ignited during a lecture on the future of autonomous vehicles.

The 2026 BME Children’s University once again welcomed hundreds of curious children aged 8–14 to the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Designed to provide a genuine university experience, the five-day programme combines large lectures with hands-on activities, allowing participants to explore the world of engineering and science in an engaging and inspiring environment.

The Department of Automotive Technologies contributed to this year’s programme through a lecture delivered by Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department and leader of BME Automated Drive. His presentation took the audience on a journey through the evolution of self-driving vehicles, explaining how autonomous technologies have developed and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

The lecture attracted considerable interest, with the young audience following the presentation with remarkable attention. Discussions on artificial intelligence, future mobility, and autonomous driving clearly captured their imagination.

The conversation did not end when the lecture was over. Many children gathered around Dr. Szalay afterwards to continue asking questions, eager to learn more about autonomous vehicles and the technologies shaping the future of transportation. Their curiosity and surprisingly well-informed questions once again demonstrated how naturally younger generations engage with emerging technologies.

“The Children’s University is one of the highlights of my year. It is always inspiring to meet young people who are genuinely curious, eager to ask questions, and excited about discovering how technology works. These conversations remind us why it is so important to introduce science and engineering at an early age,” said Dr. Zsolt Szalay.

Dr. Szalay has been a regular speaker at the BME Children’s University since the programme was launched. Over the years, he has introduced hundreds of children to the exciting world of future mobility and automotive engineering.

It would be fascinating to know how many of today’s BME students first encountered automotive engineering through a Children’s University lecture years ago. Perhaps some of this year’s enthusiastic participants will one day return to the Department of Automotive Technologies—not as visitors, but as university students ready to help shape the future of mobility.

If this year’s lecture inspired even a handful of children to imagine themselves as future engineers, then it has already achieved one of the programme’s most meaningful goals.