Zoltán Kónya told the press conference that the variety of the projects clearly shows the diversity of the university’s research portfolio.

In the thematic field of health, the research group led by Antal Berényi focuses on neuro-cybernetics. Electro-therapeutic procedures using nerve tissue–machine interfaces offer a solution for the treatment of chronic, drug treatment-resistant neuropsychiatric and sensory disorders which affect more than one hundred million people in Europe.

Still in the health field, the research team of Zsigmond Kincses investigates diseases of public health importance – such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer or diseases accelerating the aging of the body – from a multidisciplinary approach, ranging from basic research to drug development.

László Nyúl leads language and speech technology research, including software development and the biomedical application of the Internet of Things (connected smart devices).

Professor Benő Csapó and his colleagues contribute to the regeneration of the Hungarian knowledge assets through educational, psychological, economic, linguistic and cultural research. Among other things, they examine relationships and family relations as well as school and workplace communities – the Vice-Rector explained.

Zoltán Kónya stressed that the funding not only enables high-quality scientific publications but may also result in patentable solutions.

Katalin Sebők, Deputy President of the NRDI Office said: the Thematic Excellence Programme aims to help better exploit the outstanding knowledge capital of universities by supporting research projects addressing great societal challenges. This year the funding programme has awarded HUF 14.6 billion to 26 universities and public research institutions in 55 thematic fields.

Katalin Sebők explained: in the long term the programme will help to make research careers more attractive, develop the research infrastructures and strengthen international relations.

Szeged, 23 July 2019, Tuesday (MTI)