Strengthening Scientific Ties: SZE Hosts Second Meeting of Scottish–Hungarian Scholars’ Society

Created: 2025.05.15. 15:25

For the first time, the Scottish–Hungarian Scholars’ Society held its meeting in Hungary, hosted by the Győr Innovation Park of Széchenyi István University. The organisation, established last year in Edinburgh with the aim of promoting cooperation between the academic communities of the two nations, used the two-day event to reflect on previous successes and discuss future plans.

The Scottish–Hungarian Scholars’ Society was founded with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to strengthen scientific ties between the two nations, support exchange programmes for university students and researchers, and organise joint research projects, publications, and professional conferences. Its first meeting in Hungary recently took place at the Győr Innovation Park of Széchenyi István University.

In addition to professors from Hungarian universities, the event welcomed researchers from prestigious Scottish institutions, which are ranked highly by the two most renowned higher education ranking bodies, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE). Representatives from the Universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen were among the attendees. Alongside deepening existing relations, the event aimed to explore further cooperation opportunities through a wide range of professional presentations.

Professor Dr Richárd Hörcsik, Hungarian Co-Chair of the Scottish–Hungarian Scholar’s Society; Professor Dr Ábrahám Kovács, Vice-Chair of the Society; László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation; Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University; Sir Iain Torrance, Professor and Pro-chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, Scottish Co-Chair of the Society; and László Kálmán, Hungary’s Consul General in Edinburgh attended the event (Photo: Máté Dudás)

At the opening of the programme, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, highlighted that two of the university’s professors – Dr Károly Grúber and Dr Dániel Feszty – are members of this highly significant society. “The fact that our University’s Győr Innovation Park is hosting this prestigious event perfectly symbolises our shared values and goals. We are proud that through research and development projects and innovation activities conducted here in cooperation with domestic and international partners, we contribute to progress in key areas such as sustainability, digitalisation and drone technology,” she explained.

She further noted that the society’s aims to strengthen international relations align well with the ambitions of Széchenyi University. “Joint efforts in the field of science, as well as for economic and social development, are fundamentally important—not only enriching university communities but also having a broader impact, helping research outcomes benefit everyday life beyond academia,” she added.

Numerous distinguished researchers from both nations participated in the second meeting of the Scottish–Hungarian Scholars’ Society (Photos: Máté Dudás)

At the event, László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, delivered a presentation on Hungarian scientific activity and domestic research and development trends, emphasising the importance of the internationalisation of higher education. “Out of around sixty universities in Hungary, twelve are listed on the QS and THE world rankings. The HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network also strengthens the higher education system, covering the most important scientific fields. In addition, many research centres and laboratories support scientific work,” he said. He added that the number of PhD students is continually increasing and that research and development funding is also significantly growing. “Our goal is for Hungary to be among the world’s most innovative countries by 2040,” he declared.

Sir Iain Torrance, Scottish Co-Chair of the Society and Professor and Pro-chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, spoke about the global position of European universities and the opportunities inherent in collaboration. “Higher education institutions must now meet completely new demands. Our modern, globalised world poses numerous challenges and problems to solve. This is no different for long-established British universities such as Oxford and Aberdeen, which represent valuable brands on the global market,” he emphasised. He noted that interest in online education is growing, and many large institutions now operate satellite campuses in developing regions.

Dr Richárd Hörcsik, Hungarian Co-Chair of the Society and Professor at the Debrecen Reformed Theological University, stressed that the value of scientific cooperation between the two nations was clearly evident at the meeting held in Győr, where discussions on bilateral relations were accompanied by a strong emphasis on future initiatives. The academic praised Széchenyi István University’s role in advancing the Society’s goals, as the institution performs outstanding work in developing Hungary’s international higher education relations.

Closing the series of welcoming remarks, László Kálmán, Hungary’s Consul General in Edinburgh—who has worked for the past three years to strengthen bilateral relations in the Scottish capital—reflected: “In recent years, Hungary has reinforced its diplomatic presence in the United Kingdom, and the Scottish representation has been elevated to a consulate general. In its first year, we founded the Scottish–Hungarian Business Society; in the second year, we organised the St Margaret of Scotland pilgrimage; and last year, this unique society of scholars came into being,” he recalled. He revealed that, to further support cultural ties between the two countries, a Hungarian film festival is planned to be organised in the Scottish capital next year.