- The University of Debrecen is a prime example of the reformed higher education system, as the institution has always pioneered in applying innovative solutions, R&D and operational models in order to remain among the best in the fields of education and research - pointed out Balázs Hankó, deputy secretary for higher education of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology at the event held at the Learning Center of UD.
Balázs Hankó highlighted that the number of Hungarian higher education institutions in the top league is continuously growing. Among the 28,000 universities of the world 11 Hungarian institutions, including UD, are in the best 5 percent. Two thirds of the students go to universities included in the model change programme, 80 percent of them with state scholarships.
- The new higher education system aims to reduce drop-out rates and to support graduates in finding employment. Besides talent management and mobility programmes, the government also supports university sport to the value of HUF 2.5 billion. UD plays a leading role in this regard. In years to come, the government plans to invest an unprecedented amount, HUF 2,700 billion in the development of higher education - emphasized deputy state secretary Hankó.
At the event, the representative of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology signed a cooperation agreement with the Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Candidates on upgrading the support system of young researchers.
- There are about 10,000 doctoral students in Hungary, they represent the immediate future of higher education. Through this agreement, we will improve the practical content of their education, increase the number of successful candidates, provide participants with a higher number of state scholarship places, support young researchers and doctoral students with families and children, and improve the related incentive framework. We will promote participation in PhD/DLA programmes, not just in Hungary, but abroad as well. We will improve the system of special colleges, and the financial recognition of educational and research work carried out by young researchers - explained the deputy secretary.
According to Dániel Molnár, president of the Doctoral Student Association of UD and the Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Candidates (DOSZ), owing to their close cooperation, the student organisation and the state mechanism responsible for higher education have already achieved significant results, including the structural reform of doctoral education and a higher number of students with state scholarship. The agreement may result in an increase in the number of candidates successfully completing their doctoral studies as well.
- Supporting young researchers and improving the practical and professional training of students are high priorities for the University of Debrecen. The development projects operating with a total budget of more than HUF 8 billion in recent years have significantly enhanced the competitiveness of the university and our students - pointed out Chancellor Zoltán Bács.
Chancellor Bács explained that the improvement of education in medicine, life sciences and dentistry has been a core element of the comprehensive development programme.
- The University of Debrecen can work out further development plans with ease of mind, knowing that they will enjoy the support of the a governing body of UD, the government, the EU resources, and the authorities dealing with higher education affairs - added the Chancellor.
Within the framework of the recently completed 5-year programme, a multifunctional, 4-storey Learning Center was built at the Egyetem Square campus, the buildings of the Department of Operative Techniques and Surgical Research of the Faculty of Medicine were modernised, an operating room for eye surgery was established, and a Phantom Lab was installed for the Faculty of Dentistry. The range of renewed infrastructural elements includes the Machine-shed and the Soil Laboratory (Faculty of Agricultural Food Sciences and Environmental Management), part of the Faculty of Engineering, the Social and Health Sciences Learning Center, the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Room V. of the Faculty of Humanities, and a new Skills Lab has also been established for the Faculty of Health.
In the framework of the project that was launched in 2017, the attic of the Faculty of Informatics was turned into educational space, and a learning center was established for health care specialists at the attic of the 3rd Department of Internal Medicine. The interior of the Library of Life Sciences and that of the Backup Copy Archive at the Main Building was also modernised.
The roughly 3,000 new instruments, simulation systems, and IT and lab equipment purchased in the framework of the comprehensive development programme will improve practical training.
The development programme was financed within the framework of the project nr. EFOP-4.2.1-16-2017-0015 ( „Development of the University of Debrecen Higher Education Infrastructure”) through non-refundable subsidy, with a total amount of HUF 8.318 billion, provided jointly by the European Regional Development Fund and the Hungarian government.
Press Office - ÉE
