The priority of Széchenyi István University is to strengthen its international relations and thus contribute to the development of the region. The visit of Mr Dag Hartelius, Sweden's Ambassador to Hungary, which aimed at getting an insight into potential links and cooperation opportunities, contributed to this endeavour.

Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for Global Strategy, introduced the University and Győr to the guest. She said that Győr, capital of Győr-Moson-Sopron county, is a city where industry and culture are strong at the same time. She pointed out the excellent geographical location of Győr, which is close to the Austrian, Hungarian and Slovak capitals, and from the airports of which you can easily reach any point on the globe. In addition, there is a small airport in operation in Pér, close to Győr.

Participants of the meeting at the Széchenyi statue in front of the Management Campus of Széchenyi István University (Ambassador Dag Hartelius in the middle, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President, on his right). (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

The Vice President also said that Győr is an important university city, and Széchenyi István University has undergone significant development in recent years. As proof of this, Győr is ranked 801-1000th in the world by QS, one of the two largest global higher education rating organisations, and is also included in the Times Higher Education sustainability goals ranking, where it is listed among the world's top 300 universities in the category of "sustainable cities and communities". Of the institution's student community of almost 14,000, nearly 1,000 come from abroad, from more than 60 countries around the world, to study on one of its 40 English-taught courses. She added that the University has very close links with companies and is the premium partner of Audi Hungaria, which operates the world's largest engine plant. The institution's regional impact has increased significantly in recent years, as shown by the fact that, in addition to its Győr and Mosonmagyaróvár campuses, it also operates an innovation and training centre in Budapest and at the ZalaZONE automotive test track in Zalaegerszeg. Further development will be supported by, among other things, the Science and Innovation parks under construction in Győr and Zalaegerszeg and the Health Technology Campus being implemented in Győr.

At the meeting, Mr Hartelius said that Győr was a very beautiful city with a rich history and significant industrial potential. He added that he was very impressed by the encouraging development of Széchenyi István University, its education and research portfolio and its activities in the region. He said that he could envisage future cooperation with the institution in several areas, in particular the Győr and Zalaegerszeg Science and Innovation Parks and the Health Technology Campus.