At the event entitled “From national to international” and held on 16 February, the development projects and investments that make Hungary a central sports venue were presented with the involvement of Hungarian and international experts. The event was opened by Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In addition to technological companies involved in sports innovation, the Hungarian University of Sports Science, the Győr-based Széchenyi István University, and the University of Debrecen were also invited to the World Expo. The higher education institutions introduced themselves, as well as their activities related to innovation in sports and sports economy.
In his presentation entitled “Sport-system-innovation at the University of Debrecen”, Tamás Dékán, managing director of the MSE Hungarian Sport and Lifestyle Development Cluster described the varied activities of UD and Debrecen related to the sport sector.
In the course of the sectoral discussions at the event, Zoltán Bács, Chancellor of the University of Debrecen presented the degree programmes related to sports, the constantly developing and expanding sports infrastructure of the university, and the unique, innovative sports strategy of UD, which focuses on students, regular physical exercise, research and educational activities related to sports science, and leisure as well as competitive sport.
- The University of Debrecen is a higher education institution where sport is not just a leisure-time activity, but exists in a symbiotic relationship with research and educational activities. It is an interdisciplinary area, coupled with other degree programmes at several faculties. For instance, UD is the only university in Hungary that offers education in sports engineering. Similarly to other areas, scientific background that forms an integrated part of the system is important in relation to sport as well. In this spirit, the Institute of Sport Sciences was established to coordinate research programmes related to sport. We have one of the oldest sports clubs in Hungary, which has just incorporated fencing, a traditional sport. Sport is a strategic area and an important factor in planning of development - explained the Chancellor.
Among the many development projects, Zoltán Bács highlighted the recently completed gymnasium and fencing school, the tennis centre established only a few years ago, the Sport Science Education Centre, which accommodates team sports on a regular basis, and the developments launched or completed around the DEAC field.
At the event the participants also discussed ways to cooperate with each other.
Within the framework of the conference, the FIFA Puskás Award-Winners’ Club was established with the purpose of fighting Alzheimer’s disease. The launch of the Club was announced by György Szöllősi, ambassador of affairs concerning Ferenc Puskás, editor-in-chief of the daily Nemzeti Sport. Most of the 13 persons so far awarded with the prize, established in 2009 to commemorate Ferenc Puskás, have already indicated their intention to join the Club.
Press Office –BZ
