The full spectrum of the consortium's objectives will be presented by the work package leaders at the weeklong programme of the Regional University Network-European University in Győr, during which Széchenyi István University will host partner institutions from Portugal, Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands and Finland.

In 2020, the Regional University Network-European University (RUN-EU) successfully applied to the European Commission's European University Initiative. The winning consortium includes seven universities: Széchenyi István University, the Polytechnic Institutes of Leiria and Cávado in Portugal, the Technical University of the Shannon, Ireland, the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), Finland, and Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria. The representatives of the association will be hosted by Széchenyi István University 4-8 April for the Exploratory Mission.

According to RUN-EU President Rui Pedrosa, the universities participating in the alliance are global but regionally focused, with disciplines that have a major impact on their region. (Photo by József Csaba Májer)

Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice Rector for International Affairs, said that they were delighted that more than 60 lecturers, staff and students, including the heads of the partner universities, had come to Győr. "Our institution is striving to strengthen its international relations. This is excellently served by the work carried out in RUN-EU, which covers all three of our institution's missions - education, research and socio-economic.

Széchenyi István University defines itself as a regional university, which, with education centres in Győr, Mosonmagyaróvár, Zalaegerszeg and Budapest, aims to promote the economic development of the North-Western Hungarian region," she added.

The conference room of the Management Campus of Széchenyi István University was full for the opening of the weeklong programme. (Photo by József Csaba Májer)

Rui Pedrosa, President of RUN-EU, said: "RUN-EU is a very important alliance in the European space, of which Széchenyi István University is a key member. Indeed, "European universities" like ours are at the forefront of the transformation of higher education institutions. All the institutions participating in RUN-EU place a strong emphasis on transforming their region, which is one of our key objectives."

Three Science and Innovation Platforms have been set up within the consortium to stimulate joint inter-regional research and innovation projects in three areas (future industries, education and social innovation, food and biotechnology), involving regional market and public stakeholders. Other objectives include the development of joint and double degree programmes, the strengthening of research collaborations and the implementation of new EU proposals.

"We believe that the huge challenges facing our society can be solved through networks based on knowledge and science.  In this alliance, this is what we are doing: striving to transform society by focusing on our institutions," said Rui Pedrosa, adding that the main objective of the current event in Győr is to create the conditions for joint and dual degree programmes.

During the week, the work package leaders will also present the full spectrum of the consortium's objectives as well as holding a student round table to raise students' awareness of the project.

Márton Beke, Team Leader of the Higher Education Directorate of the Tempus Public Foundation, which supports the Erasmus programme and the international relations of Hungarian educational institutions, also attended the opening of the event. He commented that, as a relatively small country and a member state of the European Union, cooperation with international partners is essential, adding that this means not only student mobility but also research cooperation and joint development, of which RUN-EU is a good example.

Márton Beke, Team Leader, Higher Education Directorate, Tempus Public Foundation. (Photo by József Csaba Májer)