Hungarian–American Networking: SZE Hosts Participants of the 5th Hungarian Summit

Created: 2025.06.12. 13:27

This year marked the fifth occasion of the Hungarian Summit, an event dedicated to fostering Hungarian–American relations in higher education and business. For one day, Széchenyi István University hosted both Hungarian and overseas participants of the forum, where a special innovation competition also took place.

The Hungarian Summit was initiated by Piros Pazaurek, Honorary Consul of Central Florida, with the aim of strengthening higher education and economic relations between Hungary and the United States. Széchenyi István University has supported and participated in the event since its inception, which is held each year in a different location. This year, Hungary hosted the prestigious forum, held for the fifth time.

The multi-day programme opened with a grand charity concert at the St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, where ten international students from Széchenyi István University were also present. During the panel discussion on international academic cooperation at the conference, the institution was represented by Péter Németh, Scientific Secretary and Head of the HUN-REN International Centre of Excellence. The keynote speech of the forum’s main day was delivered by Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, on the global visibility of Hungarian universities and their rankings. Later, as part of a higher education panel involving seven Hungarian, five American and one Canadian university, she presented the dynamically developing University in Győr. The institution was also represented in the business section: Dr Tamás Kolossváry, Head of the Győr Innovation Park, speaking about the University’s technology transfer company, Uni Inno Ltd.

Széchenyi István University hosted the closing day of the event on 6 June. High-ranking corporate and higher education representatives participating in the forum were given a detailed insight into the University’s infrastructure and its educational, research, development and innovation activities. Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President, stated, that due to traditions, different academic performances and scales, there are vast differences between the higher education systems of the two countries. “The only similarity is that we all strive for excellence, for perfection, and for being chosen by students as their higher education institution,” she noted. “Győr is the City of Rivers, and we know that building bridges over rivers is not easy. Building bridges over oceans is even harder,” she added, referring to the mission of the Hungarian Summit and thanking Piros Pazaurek, the initiator and main organiser.

The Vice President also emphasised that the functioning of universities is based on three pillars: education, research, and social engagement. “The latter is of great significance, as the more financially independent a higher education institution is, the more independent it can be scientifically. Among Hungarian universities, Széchenyi István University has the broadest and deepest industrial relations. This is probably why the only USA Accelerator office outside the capital city is operating at our institution. We are grateful that, through this, we can contribute to strengthening Hungarian–American economic relations,” she added.

Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, Piros Pazaurek, Hungary’s Honorary Consul in Central Florida, Carol Ann Dykes-Logue, former Director of Programs & Operations, UCF Innovation Districts & Incubation Programme, and Dr Judit Trunkos, Assistant Professor at Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania at the event (Photo: András Adorján)

In her welcome speech, Piros Pazaurek referred back to the words of Dr Lukács, calling the opening of the USA Accelerator office in Győr in cooperation with the University of Central Florida’s business incubation programme last year a great success. Thanks to this, eight Hungarian companies – several of them from Széchenyi István University – participated in a study programme in Florida this spring to support their American networking efforts. She added that the office also facilitates exchange programmes: American students have already arrived at Széchenyi University, and soon five Hungarian students will travel to the United States.

The Győr Innovation Park of Széchenyi István University provided a worthy venue for the prestigious forum (Photo: András Adorján)

The final day also included a special innovation competition organised by the USA Accelerator office. At this event, Hungarian companies and organisations presented their ideas and products to an experienced American jury, aiming to enter international markets. The winner was ARport Hungary, which developed a smartphone-based, augmented reality (AR) indoor navigation and workflow management solution. The team’s representatives will receive preparatory consultations and one year of mentoring, as well as an invitation to the U.S. Market Entry Bootcamp programme supporting their market entry, and they will be eligible for travel support. The special prize – 12 months of American business mentoring – was awarded to WaterSkyBall, an innovation that introduces a contactless water sport that can be played in shallow water without swimming skills.

The innovation competition jury consisted of Gary Cohen, Chief Financial Officer at the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Carol Ann Dykes-Logue, former Director of Programs & Operations, UCF Innovation Districts & Incubation Programme, and Sebastian Tamas, Director of International Investments and Relations at the Hungarian Development Bank (Photo: András Adorján)