Heads of Disciplinary Institutes Discuss Renewal of HUN-REN

18.10.2024

Key leaders of the HUN-REN network recently met to address priorities for the network’s renewal, including the development of its own property and infrastructure, the establishment of fair compensation for staff, and efficient, flexible operations. This meeting followed an earlier gathering of Directors-General and institute heads, convened by President Balázs Gulyás and CEO Roland Jakab, to discuss these critical areas.

During these discussions, directors from the SHAPE (Human Sciences), STEM (Mathematics and Natural Sciences), and LIFE (Life Sciences) institutes raised their concerns in person, having been briefed on strategic elements for HUN-REN’s renewal. Detailed updates included proposals for a separate legal status for HUN-REN, the establishment of a new, autonomous legal entity, and the creation of conditions to manage operations independently of public funding, while strengthening the HQ’s service functions.

HUN-REN leadership places high importance on transparency and active engagement with the scientific community in shaping the network’s future. At this inaugural meeting with institute directors, Balázs Gulyás and Roland Jakab shared insights from recent discussions with senior representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation. There, both government officials and HUN-REN leaders expressed a shared commitment to building an effective, flexible, and impactful research network.

At the core of HUN-REN’s modernization is a focus on impact-driven research that addresses both social and economic challenges. By fostering collaborative approaches, research excellence, and providing predictable career paths for researchers, the network aims to contribute to both the Hungarian community and global issues.