The two institutions are expanding their cooperation in NeurotechEU, a programme aimed at the development of neuroscience and the coordination of research. The expansion of the relationship was discussed by the university leaders during a two-day visit at the university.
Eight notable European higher education institutions, including the University of Debrecen, launched NeurotechEU in the autumn of 2020, with the main goal of promoting the development of neuroscience in a broader sense, coordinating their research and raising awareness. In the consortium, the UD’s partners included higher education institutions, such as the Karolinska Institute, the University of Bonn, Radboud University and the University of Oxford. The leadership of the University of Bonn arrived in Debrecen on Tuesday with the aim of extending the successful cooperation. Rector Michael Hoch and Deputy Rector Brigit Münch were welcomed by Rector Zoltán Szilvássy, Director of Coordination and Strategy Oszkána Kiszil and the experts from NeurotechEU.
The leaders of the University of Bonn praised the research which is conducted in Debrecen under the coordination of József Tőzsér, Vice-Rector for Sector Development of Life Sciences, and which has been made known through international cooperation. To build this relationship Rector Michael Hoch gave a detailed presentation on the history, education and research portfolio of the University of Bonn, founded in 1818 and now one of Germany’s top five universities, highlighting its strong research orientation.
‘I am proud to say that many Nobel-Prize winning scientists have graduated from our university. We are one of Germany’s 11 Universities of Excellence and our 6 Clusters of Excellence make us the most successful one. Our research areas are transdisciplinary, covering a wide range from mathematics, agricultural and health sciences to sustainable future. In addition, we operate 7 faculties with 237 training programmes currently attended by more than 31 000 students, 4600 of which are foreigners from 140 countries around the world,’ explained Michael Hoch.
Vice Rector Brigit Münch added that the University of Bonn was ranked 91st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. The institution has 400 research partners in 80 countries around the world, and would like to expand this circle with the University of Debrecen.
Regarding the future plans Zoltán Szilvássy highlighted that the similar training and research portfolio and the effective cooperation so far provide an excellent basis for a wider range of scientific and research development partnership because of the common interests and competences of the two parties. One of the key areas of joint work in the field of medical industry could be the research of the so-called ‘immune sensing system’.
‘While we are unfortunately not able to participate in several international projects due to EU restrictions, we are pleased that our foreign partners, such as the University of Bonn, with whom we collaborated in NeurotechEU, see our potential, and insist on their scientific ties with the University of Debrecen,’ said Rector Zoltán Szilvássy.
In order to explore the cooperation opportunities, the guests were first introduced to the education and research programmes, infrastructure and industrial relations of the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Faculty of Engineering through presentations by the Deans of the Faculties. Rector Michael Hoch then proposed that the faculty leaders of the two institutions should also hold direct discussions on the launch of specific collaborations.
On the second day of their visit the Heads of the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management and the Faculty of Economics and Business held talks with the Heads of the University of Bonn in order to build further possible partnerships. As part of the programme, they also visited the University of Debrecen’s University and National Library, the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as well as the International Office.