"We are an organisation and a community beating as one heart" – HUN-REN Symposium at New Headquarters

"We are an organisation and a community thinking as one, breathing as one, beating as one heart. I am convinced that we can – and will – achieve a modern, fully renewed operation at all levels of the Hungarian Research Network, just as our 200 colleagues involved in the transformation process have already demonstrated through their determination, mutual support, and commitment," said Balázs Gulyás, President of HUN-REN, at the Symposium. 

Following the President’s opening remarks, Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Timothy Hunt gave an engaging talk about his scientific achievements and the journey that led to them, addressing an audience that included members of the international Advisory Board, the delegation from Academia Europaea, and representatives from various research institutions.

In a joint presentation, the President and CEO focused on progress, development, and the outcomes of the HUN-REN transformation programme. President Gulyás highlighted that the renewal is built on several key pillars: increased budgetary support, combined with a long-term, inflation-linked, and performance-based funding model, enabling the adjustment of researchers’ salaries. 

„The draft public task financing agreement has been completed, along with the proposal for performance evaluation indicators, the concept for salary adjustment, and the related researcher career model. We have also drawn up the new Founding Charter(s) and the draft of the accompanying Rules of Organisation and Operation,” announced CEO Roland Jakab. 

"HUN-REN’s strategic goal is to become a powerhouse of innovation in tackling social and economic challenges. To realise this, it is crucial not only to develop organisational culture and capabilities, but also to introduce individual incentives, support research teams, and foster an entrepreneurial mindset across our research centres," added the senior leaders of HUN-REN, who in recent months have gained first-hand experience of the concrete steps needed for implementation during visits to several well-functioning international technology transfer centres.CEO Roland Jakab provided a detailed overview of HUN-REN’s comprehensive AI4Science programme and, building on its success, introduced three new initiatives: AI4Efficiency, AI4Innovation, and AI1Science – all aimed at supporting researchers through the power of AI. 

The stages of the HUN-REN Transformation Project were presented by Beáta Hoffer, Deputy CEO for Operations, and Márk Gergics, Head of the Transformation Project Office. 

The AI4Impact programme was presented in depth by Programme Manager Gergely Szertics. 

The morning session concluded with an international perspective delivered by Professor Alexander Zehnder, Chairman of the HUN-REN Advisory Board. He described the modernisation plans as a comprehensive series of actions and an excellent starting point, encouraging participants to take ownership of implementing the programme. He stressed the importance of scientific independence and the long-term objective: "supporting Hungary’s development and establishing HUN-REN as a flagship institution." 

In the afternoon session, the exchange of ideas continued through panel discussions focusing on the topics of the Transformation Programme that most directly affect researchers."We do not compromise on research or operational excellence," stated CEO Roland Jakab in his closing remarks at the Symposium.