The delegation from MUNER – Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) visited Széchenyi István University in the hopes of building future partnerships. The vehicle engineering professors were introduced to the ZalaZone proving ground in Zalaegerszeg and teaching and research activities at the University’s campus in Győr.

The closest links between Széchenyi István University and MUNER in northern Italy are in the field of world-class vehicle engineering education and future-oriented research in vehicle development. The latter institute has established a training centre specialising in vehicle development with other academic and industry players in the region, represented by a three-member delegation that visited Győr, in order to assess the potential for cooperation and to discuss the establishment of a future relationship.

During the two days, the guests were familiarised with the ZalaZone automotive proving ground belonging to the Széchenyi University Group, the University's Zalaegerszeg Innovation Park and the vehicle development projects taking place there, and then gained insight into practical training at the campus in Győr. Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, gave a detailed presentation of the development of the institution and also reported on the successful steps taken in recent years to open up internationally. She added: "We have been offering English-taught programmes since 2016, and we now have international students numbering close to a thousand and originating from 77 countries. We are also working with universities in China, the US, Portugal, India and Italy on double degree programmes and we are always open to new collaborations."

The representatives of the UNIMORE and Széchenyi universities in front of the Széchenyi-statue on the Győr Campus: Péter Németh, Scientific Secretary; Dr Csaba Tóth-Nagy, associate professor; Prof. Davide Barater (MUNER); Prof. Dr Gábor Dogossy, Dean of faculty; Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President; Prof. Francesco Leali (MUNER-UNIMORE); Dr Dénes Fodor, Vice-Dean and Prof. Matteo Giacoponi (MUNER).(Photo by: András Adorján)

The strongest point of connection between the two universities are the high quality of vehicle engineering education and the regional role in vehicle development. The management of the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering gave a brief presentation on the education in Győr and the opportunities for cooperation, in which they talked about practice-oriented education, the close relationship with Audi Hungaria, the world's largest engine factory based in Győr, and research and development projects. The professors from Modena praised the Hungarian institution.

“I am fascinated by the academic and research activities at Széchenyi István University, and I think we can connect in many different areas. The quality of the laboratories and infrastructure is one of the best in the world, which could help future cooperation. Our primary common ground could be student and academic mobility, which would provide excellent international experience for the citizens of both institutions. Participation in research and development projects is already a higher level of cooperation, but the field of vehicle development provides a common denominator that could easily envisage project-based cooperation.” said Professor Francesco Leali, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at UNIMORE and Scientific Coordinator of MUNER.

The head of the delegation added: since UNIMORE also deals with food safety, artificial intelligence and sustainability, Széchenyi University and the Modena-based institution can connect in other fields as well.