Preparations for integration enter new phase following convincing ELTE Senate vote

Dear Colleagues,

Following the ELTE Senate’s convincing majority vote, the work preparing and supporting the integration process has entered a new phase.

Roland Jakab, CEO of HUN-REN, informed the heads of the four highly regarded humanities research centres about ELTE’s decision and the subsequent steps. This marked the beginning of finalising the handover.

On 9 July, Krisztián Gáva, Chair of the committee overseeing the integration process, established several working groups. Delegates from the four research centres joining ELTE participated in the first meetings as invited guests.

At the meeting, it was clarified that the agreement among HUN-REN HQ, ELTE, and the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (KIM) is based on three documents with harmonised wording:

• A tripartite agreement (ELTE–KIM–HUN-REN) sets out the guarantees and substantive conditions of the handover.
• A strategic cooperation agreement (ELTE–HUN-REN HQ) defines the framework, principles, and priorities of future cooperation. Its purpose is to maintain the professional links between the research institutes and support shared strategic goals.
• A budgetary agreement (KIM–ELTE–HUN-REN) regulates the reallocation of funds at chapter level to ensure the operation of the research institutes. Under this agreement, funding for the transferred institutes will be allocated under the ELTE chapter of the central budget.

The HUN-REN CEO has sent the final versions of the first two documents to the heads of the institutions concerned.

IT transition

As part of the transition, the email addresses and domains of the research centres concerned will be redirected. The use of licences previously obtained through HUN-REN HQ – including Microsoft Office software – will continue uninterrupted and is not affected by the handover. Once these licences reach their annual renewal date, further access will be ensured under ELTE’s own licensing agreement. The details of the IT transition have been jointly developed by technical experts from both institutions. At institutional level, delegates from the four research centres coordinate the tasks and maintain direct contact with the integration working group.

HUN-REN HQ continues to monitor the process on a daily basis, and we are ready to respond to any questions that may arise. Our aim is to ensure a smooth transition and the uninterrupted continuation of the institutes’ academic autonomy and research projects.

With best regards,

Roland Jakab

CEO