Support for programmes aimed at strengthening educational advancement and scientific community building, as well as the promotion of related developments, is at the heart of the cooperation agreement signed by Zsolt Gyulay, President and CEO of Hungaroring Sport Zrt.  Prof. Dr. László Palkovics, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Széchenyi István University Foundation, Dr. Bálint Filep, President of Széchenyi István University and Prof. Dr. Ferenc Friedler, Rector and Vice-President for Academic Research of the University, signed the agreement on 28 November at Hungaroring.

In the document, the partners declared their intention to create a unique automotive, automotive-motorsport technology and science centre in the Central and Eastern European region, the MINDS Park.

The name MINDS Park refers to the Motorsport Innovation and Development Science Park. It would be established by the cooperating parties adjacent to the Hungaroring area, with a direct link to the track. Their aim is to raise the level of training and research in the automotive industry in Hungary and to attract high added value development activities to the country. The MINDS Park could also contribute to the promotion of innovation and research and development, as well as to the creation of new mentoring and higher education programmes in the field of automotive and motorsport.

Dr. Bálint Filep, President of Széchenyi István University, Prof. Dr. László Palkovics, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Széchenyi István University Foundation, Zsolt Gyulay, CEO of Hungaroring Sport Zrt. and Prof. Dr. Ferenc Friedler, Rector and Vice President for Academci Reasearch of the University, signed the cooperation agreement. 

"Motorsport involves continuous technical development, which will sooner or later also appear in road vehicles, making road traffic safer and smoother. This is why the Hungaroring, as the home of motorsport and the kingdom of speed, has a duty to support innovative projects such as the MINDS Park. I participated in the opening ceremony of the academic year at Széchenyi István University, and I had the good fortune to have a glimpse of the valuable and wide-ranging work that is being carried out at the institution, so I am confident that this mission is destined for success" - emphasized Zsolt Gyulay, President and CEO of Hungaroring Sport Zrt. 

"The construction of the MINDS Park's infrastructure, buildings and equipment can provide a new opportunity for cooperation between Széchenyi István University, the automotive and motorsport industry and the market sector. Through even closer partnerships with companies and other economic actors, the competitiveness of the national economy can be further strengthened, and this can also contribute to the university becoming a unique automotive knowledge centre in the Central European region."

- said Prof. Dr. László Palkovics, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Széchenyi István University Foundation.

"In order for our university to stand its ground on the international stage, it is important to strengthen our academic competitiveness professionally, which is greatly supported by our cooperation with Hungaroring. Ranked in the top five percent of the world's top universities, our institution is closely linked to motor sport with its automotive education and world-class student racing teams. These activities can also be supported by the outstanding infrastructure of the MINDS Park. The park can also serve the research and development and innovation of cutting-edge technologies by providing real-world solutions," said Prof. Dr. Ferenc Friedler, Rector and Vice President for Academic Reasearch of Széchenyi István University.

At the event, five-time European truck champion Norbert Kiss said he supports and feels close to the planned development (Photo: András Adorján)

Zoltán Szujó, President of the Hungarian National Automobile Sports Association, also tested the simulator of the e-sport department of the Széchenyi István University Sports Association (SZESE) at the venue.