Academic Competitiveness: The Future of European Higher Education, Research, and Development. Career Prospects for Young Researchers. Conference.
Academic Competitiveness: The Future of European Higher Education, Research, and Development. Career Prospects for Young Researchers – this was the title of the international conference organised by the Europe Strategy Research Institute, Eötvös József Research Centre at the Ludovika University of Public Service (LUPS), the 30-year-old Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Candidates (DOSZ), and Edutus University organized an international conference titled Academic Competitiveness with more than 100 participant under the auspice of the EU Presidency Strategy of the University and in the frame of the Hungarian Science Festival.
The significant role of the cooperation of academia and RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) in shaping the economy and society is undeniable. How can early career researchers influence higher education, academic life, and the RDI sector—and thereby shape the economy and society of the future? This was the central question of the international conference held on November 18 in the University.
The conference focused on exploring the tools, interventions, and best practices needed at European, national, and institutional levels to ensure that the views and findings of early career researchers are integrated meaningfully into future science and research policies.
The event began with opening remarks by the Rector of LUPS, Gergely Deli. “University competitiveness involves various aspects, from supporting high-quality, innovative research to preparing students for the labor market. As a leading higher education institution and knowledge center in public service and many other societal and economic fields, our university implements effective cooperation between societal needs, national strategic governmental goals, and higher education” he stated. The Rector emphasized the importance of a practical approach in both academic research and education. He also highlighted the significance of academic competitiveness:
“We are entering an era where innovation, adaptability, and interdisciplinary collaboration are indispensable for the long-term success of academic institutions. In this new era, early-career researchers play a pivotal role. Their fresh perspectives, passion, and commitment to advancing knowledge are invaluable for the future of higher education and research and development” he noted.
Advocacy for Early Career Researchers
President Dániel Molnár explained that DOSZ represents all doctoral students in Hungary and maintains close ties with Hungarian universities and other stakeholders in higher education and the scientific community.
“DOSZ places great emphasis on effectively representing the interests of PhD candidates. In recent years, we have successfully defended these interests in various areas”. He also emphasized the importance of creating optimal research and teaching opportunities for doctoral students. He noted that international PhD candidates studying in Hungary under the Stipendium Hungaricum program are increasingly contributing to teaching tasks, which serves the international community by sharing the knowledge available in Hungary.
Molnár expressed concern, however, that early career researchers working at universities undergoing structural transformations in Hungary currently lack access to Erasmus+ and Horizon programs. “I sincerely hope that the European Union will soon recognize that excluding Hungarian universities also results in a loss of value and knowledge for Europe. The scientific capacities of universities operating under the new governance system cannot be successfully integrated into pan-European research networks as they could when Hungarian universities participated in Erasmus+ and Horizon programs” he said.
Pil Maria Saugmann, President of Eurodoc (the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers) thanked the organizers and highlighted DOSZ’s significant role in international projects over many years. “We focus on creating a sustainable and high-quality research environment both within and outside academia,” she emphasized. This conference, she added, makes such efforts more visible. She also pointed out that today’s generation of early career researchers plays a meaningful role in addressing challenges that shape our world, such as global warming, and in shaping the future.
Growth and development in RDI
The first keynote speech, delivered by Veronika Varga-Bajusz, Deputy State Secretary for Higher Education at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, was titled Universities as Catalysts for Innovation. She noted that in 2010, around 30,000 people worked in the RDI sector in Hungary—a number that has doubled to 60,000 in recent years. The number of researchers holding doctoral degrees has also increased by more than 50%, while the number of doctoral students has risen significantly, now reaching nearly 11,000 in Hungary.
“Our goal is to create an attractive research career environment in Hungary that not only draws talented young people into the RDI sector but also encourages those currently working abroad to return” Varga-Bajusz stated. This vision prioritizes the practical application of research and innovation results.
She outlined the government’s goal to support internationally recognized, performance-based scientific career paths, a priority of the János Neumann Program. This initiative aims to raise the number of researchers from 6,000 to 9,000 per million Hungarian residents by the end of the next decade. Measures and increased resources to achieve this goal were also discussed.
The role of innovation in Europe
In his presentation titled The Role of Innovation and Skills in Europe’s Competitiveness, Martin Kern, Director of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), highlighted the institution’s achievements.
The EIT, established by the European Council and Parliament, is an independent EU body supporting sustainable economic growth and competitiveness. It is an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s 2021–2027 research and innovation program. Its ecosystem focuses on transforming promising ideas into growing enterprises by providing funding, mentoring, and business development services. To date, the EIT has trained over 350,000 individuals in innovation, entrepreneurship, and deep tech, supported more than 9,900 companies, and helped secure nearly €10 billion in external funding. “These companies not only turn research findings into products crucial for our future – such as innovative batteries or healthcare solutions – but also create thousands of jobs” Kern highlighted.
Fostering Collaboration
Petri Bernadett, Head of the LUPS Europe Strategy Research Institute, began her presentation by discussing the elements of the Horizon Program. In her talk, Harnessing EU Funding: Promoting Academia-Industry Collaboration in Europe, she detailed opportunities for cooperation between academic and corporate sectors, highlighting specific domestic programs. For instance, Semmelweis University and Richter Gedeon Plc. collaborate in biomedical research to develop new pharmaceuticals; one significant result of their partnership was the joint development of a chemotherapy drug. Similarly, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) works with technology companies to advance artificial intelligence (AI) research. These collaborations – particularly in AI and data analysis – align with Hungary’s national AI strategy and promote the development of AI technologies applicable across a wide range of industries. Petri also pointed out that only a few directly managed EU programs see the V4 countries achieve or exceed the 14% threshold (the V4 countries’ population proportion within the EU). The Central and Eastern European region (including Hungary) significantly lags behind successful countries in securing directly managed EU funding.
Navigating European funding
The event continued with a presentation by Richárd Bodrogi, director of the Tempus Public Foundation, titled Navigating European Funding: Opportunities and Challenges for Hungarian Universities. He first discussed the opportunities inherent in European funding, which aim to promote growth and competitiveness through cross-border collaborations and building connections with countries outside the EU. He noted that Hungarian universities have actively strengthened their reputation through European University Alliances and Erasmus+ programs, showcasing excellence in international collaboration and facilitating integration. Bodrogi also touched on national and regional programs supporting scientific competitiveness, such as the Stipendium Hungaricum and the Pannonia Scholarship Program. He also raised concern about the exclusion of Hungarian univeristies from RDI and educational programmes.
The conference further addressed topics such as researcher mobility, science diplomacy, and career paths. The event was realized under the auspice of the LUPS EU Presidency Strategy and in the frame of the Hungarian Science Festival, serving as an official stop in the Hungarian EU Presidency 2024 series of programs.
