Széchenyi István University and the St. Andrew Hospital for Rheumatology and Medicinal Spa of Hévíz signed a cooperation agreement on 28 August. In addition to research and development, innovation and training activities, the partnership also covers the development of health and spa tourism services.

The main goal of Széchenyi István University is to put modern technologies at the service of sustainability and the well-being of society. In this spirit, one of its focus areas is healthcare and health technology. The institution is implementing its MedTech Campus in Győr, which, in addition to practice-oriented professional training, encourages the creation of new patents, innovations and health industry cooperations, and aims to contribute to the health of the people living in the region by providing quality services. This is also the aim of the cooperation agreement with St. Andrew Hospital for Rheumatology and Medicinal Spa of Hévíz, signed by Dr Bálint Filep, President of the University and Dr Zsuzsanna Holléné Mándó, Executive Manager of the Hospital, at the Győr campus.

Dr Péter Törzsök, Vice-Dean for International Affairs of the Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences of Széchenyi István University, Dr. Zsuzsanna Holléné Dr. Mándó, Executive Manager of the St. Andrew Hospital for Rheumatology and Medicinal Spa of Hévíz and Dr Bálint Filep, President of the University after the signing of the cooperation agreement (Photo: András Adorján)

One of the key goals of the partnership is to develop the health science programs, which have been running for more than 25 years at the university's Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, with the participation of the hospital's experts. Plans include the introduction of a health technologist-training programme, expanding the offerings to include areas such as care management and psychology, as well as launching the Department of Sports Medicine and Digital Health.

The parties will establish a research centre at the Hévíz facility focusing on studies in the field of natural healing factors and balneology. The joint work will also include sports science by developing measurement techniques, models and methods. Another priority is the system-wide introduction of telemedicine by providing the appropriate technological background. The collaboration would increase the international profile of the Hospital and the University and encourage young doctors to pursue careers in science, research and teaching. 

Rejuniva Ltd., established by Széchenyi István University, focuses on the quality of life of people who are ageing and want to remain active, and the Rejuniva Longevity+ programme offers a modern lifestyle model for the mature adult life stage. The hospital's expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and prevention can also contribute to the development of this programme and the provision of advanced services.