HUN-REN leaders discuss expanding innovation and research partnerships in the United Kingdom

08.01.2026

On 12–14 January 2026, Balázs Gulyás, President of HUN-REN, and Roland Jakab, CEO of the research network, paid an official visit to London and Oxford to strengthen HUN-REN’s international presence and to expand cooperation between the Hungarian Research Network and UK partners. As part of the program, the delegation met with Ferenc Kumin, Hungary’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and held talks in Oxford with Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, as well as with the leadership of Oxford University Innovation.

During the visit, HUN-REN’s leadership presented the renewed HUN-REN, showcased its innovation and research potential to UK professional stakeholders, and worked to strengthen the strategic partnership between HUN-REN and institutions in Oxford. The program placed particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, life sciences and biobank collaborations, reinforcing strategic ties with the University of Oxford, and further developing technology transfer and innovation partnerships.

HUN-REN research institutes are already engaged in a number of joint projects with Oxford-based institutions, including research into Alzheimer’s disease, space science, and molecular biology. Another key objective of the current visit was to build on these collaborations by launching new, large-scale international projects that will strengthen HUN-REN’s scientific standing in Europe and globally.

In-person meetings in London and Oxford

During the visit, Balázs Gulyás and Roland Jakab held discussions at the Hungarian Embassy with Ambassador Ferenc Kumin and Melanie Seymour, a member of HUN-REN’s Governing Board. Among other topics, they reviewed opportunities to further develop research cooperation between HUN-REN and the United Kingdom.

Oxford University Innovation is one of Europe’s most active technology transfer organizations, having created more than 100 spinout companies to date and managing several thousand licensing agreements. Discussions with its CEO, Mairi Gibbs, focused on technology transfer and spinout opportunities, as well as on strengthening ties between HUN-RENTECH and the University of Oxford.

The University of Oxford is one of the world’s leading research institutions and one of Europe’s most dynamic innovation hubs. Founded in 1096, it plays a key role in global scientific cooperation. The delegation met with Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, to discuss expanding strategic research collaborations. Key topics of the discussions included artificial intelligence, life sciences research, and innovation.

angliai_fotók — A HUN-REN vezetői az Oxfordi Egyetem rektorával, Irene Tracey professzorral.

Partnership with the University of Oxford represents an outstanding opportunity and opens up new avenues for HUN-REN researchers to launch joint research projects and development initiatives.