Through the modernisations, Hungarian students will have the opportunity to lay the foundations of their future in training programmes of internationally competitive standards at Hungarian universities,” József Bódis, state secretary for higher education, innovation and vocational training, Ministry for Innovation and Technology emphasized.
In its action plan to relaunch the economy, the government foresees to spend over HUF 1500 billion for the unprecedented development of Hungarian higher education. In the first phase, institutions will have access to a total of HUF 955 billion to be spent on infrastructure, organisational and educational development, as well as asset purchases. The National Research, Development and Innovation Office received project proposals from 38 institutions requesting a total of HUF 2400 billion in funding.
The call for requests of opinion recently closed aims to support the preparation of institutions through a prior professional review of the development proposals. Institutions are required to spend at least 50 % of the funding on purchasing assets, machines and equipment and on setting up laboratories. The project proposals mainly include plans for campus and training development, acquiring more assets, supporting digitalisation and modernising higher education services. The project proposals are currently in the assessment phase ending with the issuance of policy opinions.
By using the funds, the higher education institutions will be able to satisfy the national and regional labour market demands by meeting the digital expectations of the economy, the society and the 21st century. The enhancement of the practical elements of medical and health sciences education will respond to the quantitative and qualitative challenges associated with the training of health professionals in order to strengthen the resilience of the society and the economy while patient care (hospitals and clinics) will also be renewed. Professionals having up-to-date knowledge graduate from Hungarian universities and, as intended by the government, they may have a pivotal role in boosting Hungary’s innovation performance, József Bódis pointed out.
Budapest, 11 March 2021