Széchenyi István University has signed a strategic agreement with Hunland Service Kft., one of the world’s largest import-export companies in cattle, pigs, sheep, and meat, and its closely affiliated research and development company, reAgro Kft. This partnership, which brings together the University, a major corporation and a startup with university roots, aims to create new opportunities in education, research, development, and innovation.

Széchenyi István University has entered into a strategic partnership with Hunland Service Kft., a leader in Hungary’s cattle, pig, sheep, and meat trade, and reAgro Kft., which supports the group through ongoing research and development. The goal of the collaboration is to develop products and technologies to reduce the environmental impact of the livestock sector. This partnership will open doors to joint tenders, new scientific discoveries, and publications. The Hunland Group will also provide practical training and demonstration facility for university students, while its international network of contacts offers opportunities for synergies across the university’s focus areas.

Dr. Zoltán Varga, Associate Professor in the Department of Water Management and Natural Ecosystems at Széchenyi István University, Dr. Balázs Ásványi, Vice Dean for Corporate Relations at the Faculty of Kázmér Albert in Mosonmagyaróvár, Dr. Tamás Tóth, Dean of the Faculty of Kázmér Albert, Tibor Hipszki, Director of Operations, Finance, and Strategy at the Hunland Group, and Dr. Eduárd Gubó and Dóra Pordán-Háber, Managing Directors of reAgro Kft., were present at the signing ceremony (Photo: Máté Dudás).

"The main goal of our university is to address the current challenges of our time by applying its educational and research activities in practice. Our strong corporate network plays a major role in this. Through our Smart Farm, students gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technology in everything from sowing to harvesting, covering areas such as precision farming, healthy food production, and digital agriculture," said Dr. Tamás Tóth, Dean of the Faculty of Kázmér Albert, Mosonmagyaróvár, at the ceremony.

Dr. Balázs Ásványi, Vice Dean for Corporate Relations, emphasized that the University and the two companies have already fostered an excellent relationship, and the signing of this agreement formalizes and deepens this collaboration. "Hunland brings a wealth of experience in animal husbandry, crop production, and marketing, which will benefit both our students and researchers. Together, we can create shared knowledge and products that will be of significant value in the marketplace," he stated. Dr. Zoltán Varga, Associate Professor in the Department of Water Management and Natural Ecosystems, added that one of the sector’s most important challenges is adapting to rapidly changing conditions, and that joint action among partners can play a key role in this.

Founded in 1992 with Dutch and Hungarian roots, the Hunland Group began as a live animal trading company and has since grown into one of the world’s largest cattle, pig, sheep, and meat import-export companies. Its activities span nearly every segment of the agricultural sector, from crop production to dairy farming, technology development, and transport. The company also provides complementary products to its partners, with sustainability and a circular economy approach at the core of its operations. Tibor Hipszki, Director of Operations, Finance, and Strategy at the Hunland Group, stated that this tripartite partnership will significantly enhance their competitiveness by helping them address challenges such as climate change. "In addition to more efficient production and the introduction of new products, we also hope to expand opportunities for students, thus contributing to high-quality professional training," he concluded.

The founders of reAgro Kft. have close ties with Hunland Service Kft. Both founding members of the startup graduated from the Faculty of Kázmér Albert in Mosonmagyaróvár. Dr. Eduárd Gubó, one of the company’s managing directors, emphasized that the partnership aims to serve sustainable goals, combining university knowledge, startup creativity, and a corporate approach. "Through this collaboration, we can implement innovative solutions to global challenges," he said. Dóra Pordán-Háber, the other managing director, added that reAgro is committed to supporting the partnership with ambitious plans and innovative research ideas that will play an important role in the future of the sector.