Israel’s new ambassador to Budapest, Yacov Hadas-Handelsman, has been in post just two and a half months. On Wednesday, 26 February, on his second trip to the provinces, the diplomat visited Széchenyi István University, Győr, where he was received by Dr Péter Földesi, Rector, and Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs.

The ambassador said he had been in the city thirty years ago, when working in Vienna, at the time of the collapse of the Soviet bloc. He indicated that he knows how Győr has evolved since that time, becoming a major automotive and technology centre. During the meeting, he stressed that his aim was to create opportunities for cooperation and to further strengthen the currently good relations between the two countries. This is shown, among other things, by the fact that about half a million Israeli citizens travelled to Hungary last year. He explained that one of the areas of cooperation in Győr and its region is the automotive industry and autonomous transport systems, dominated primarily by Audi. He also sees many opportunities in precision agricultural developments, which as a result of climate change are becoming increasingly important. He noted that the University of Győr could also be a partner in the development of some fast solutions.

Yacov Hadas-Handelsman, Ambassador of Israel to Hungary

Dr Péter Földesi pointed out, among other things, that the university has an intensive relationship with Israel, especially in the fields of R&D and innovation. “Higher education institutions are involved in the development of the economy, including small and medium-sized enterprises, in the spirit of corporate social responsibility. We have found a very good partner in this work in Israel, which has important experience in this field, and I would like to further strengthen this process,” he added.

Ms Judit Kónya, Economic and Trade Secretary, Embassy of Israel, Ambassador Yacov Hadas-Handelsman, Dr Peter Földesi, Rector, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs and Dr Barna Hanula, Dean, at the meeting.

A delegation from Széchenyi István University visited Israel in December 2019 with the assistance of the Israeli Embassy in Hungary and the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The delegation consisted of Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-Rector for Education, Dr Barna Hanula, Dean of the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering, Professor György Wersényi, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Informatics and Electrical Engineering, and Dr Tamás Tóth, lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Explained Dr Lukács, “We traveled in a targeted way: research into autonomous vehicles, the field of high-profile mechanics, electrical and information technology, and precision agriculture could be the main focus of research collaboration. We negotiated with three universities - the Holon Institute of Technology, Bar-Ilan University and Technion - and concluded two Erasmus+ strategic agreements, ” adding that they would like to establish teacher-researcher and student exchange contacts.

During the meeting with Yacov Hadas-Handelsmann, a great deal of information about Széchenyi István University was shared. It was mentioned that the institution is proud of its roots and of the fact that its predecessor was founded as a technical college, as well as the fact that it has four Doctoral Schools, eight Competence Centres and 300 foreign students, not counting students of Hungarian ethnicity from outside Hungary. Next year, students will be able to study on 33 English-taught programmes. Last year, the university campus was voted the most beautiful in Hungary, and naturally the Ambassador was also able to learn how the university maintains a close relationship with the Audi company.

Professor György Wersényi and Dr Tamás Tóth