Who will be the winner of MentorFactor?

HÖOK: What is MentorFactor and what is its purpose?

Tamás Kaizinger: MentorFactor is a talent competition which is a cooperation between the SH Mentor Network and HÖOK’s Mentorprogram. Our fundamental goal was to discover the hidden talents of the 10 000 SH students who study here in Hungary. The other aim  that we set was to facilitate the meeting between the Hungarian and foreign students because they do not have so many events where they could meet. In order to succeed and reach our goals HÖOK’s Mentorprogram and the SH Mentor Network started their cooperation.

HÖOK: What can be known about the nomination?

T. K.: We are waiting for all foreign and Hungarian students’ nominations in a video format until January 8th. This video can be any of the performing arts including singing, dancing or even stand-up comedy and juggling. Several students can be part of one production (e. g. singing or dancing group). After getting all nominations, in January, a professional crew will choose from the nominees. There’ll be 15 finalists who will perform on the A38 ship on February 5th.

HÖOK: What can we expect from this final?

T. K.: A professional jury will choose the winner(s) during the event. We try to involve public figures and vloggers too and also would like to ask the rector of Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music to join us. There won’t be categories like dancing-category or singing-category, that is why we need some professional juries to compare and rate all performances. Moreover, we try to reward each participant example with audience-award and so on.

HÖOK: Will there be any special awards for the winners?

T. K.: Of course. The most outstanding is an opportunity to perform at the EFOTT Festival in 2020. The winners of the talent competition will also get many gifts, dedicated to express their talents. With the help of our sources and sponsors we aim to deliver gifts like festival tickets, headphones and so on.

HÖOK: Why is this talent competition is so important in regards of the connection between Hungarian and foreign students?

T. K.: I think this is a great occasion that holds communication-value and community-bindig aspect as well. Such an event where 200 foreign and 200 Hungarian students come together to listen to the performers and have a great time together surely creates an opportunity to make friendships. Our thesis is that our foreign students will go back to their countries after their studies  and they will possibly be parts of the political or economic leadership of their own countries - the opportunity for this of course increases when one has an international diploma We hope that they will get in contact with Hungary again since it is good to have an expert at the same field from a different country and culture who you got to know during your studies. That’s why it is so important to make more international friendships.