BUILDING EUROPE'S CAMPUS FOR GLOABL HEALTH
The University of Szeged (USZ) defines itself as a fourth-generation research university: in addition to transferring the knowledge produced and accumulated, it considers the indirect exploitation of knowledge also as its mission. The University not only plays an important role in value creation, but actively contributes to the value creation work of others as well, through its social and economic impact on its immediate and wider environment. As the catalyst of the knowledge transfer growth zone, USZ provides a comprehensive innovation incubation environment adapted to TRLs, and proactively participates in the development of the regional spin-off and start-up ecosystem through professional, financial and infrastructural support. The mission of the University is to create a positive economic, social and cultural impact that lays the foundations for the prosperity of the region, creating a livable, sustainable environment for future generations.
Structure and Support Mechanisms
At the University of Szeged, the network of partnerships, technology transfer and the commercial and/or social exploitation of scientific results receive great emphasis as an organising principle. The University ensures the continuous liaison and communication with economic and professional actors, and it operates several types of support structures and programmes:
- Directorate-General for Strategy and Developmenthas the overreaching task of institutional-level management, coordination, and oversight of the University's development activities. Its responsibilities particularly include the proactive identification, alignment, coordination, and management of development ideas and needs arising from various sources (internal: teaching, research, and clinical organisational units, senior management; and external: industrial partners, peer institutions, etc.).
- The Innovation Management Unit, operating under the Directorate-General for Strategy and Development, provides institutional-level support for the University’s innovation activities, including project and early-stage business development, technology protection, the management and utilisation of the University of Szeged’s intellectual assets, and promoting funding acquisition related to research and development.
The Technology Transfer Company (TTC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the University operating as an independent legal entity, is managed by a leader with extensive market experience. The TTC serves as a bridge between the university and market partners, facilitating the commercialisation of university research services. Additionally, it provides strategic guidance to university researchers, fostering innovations that can evolve into spin-offs or startup enterprises.
- The PATLIB Centre operating at the University aims to enhance the industrial property awareness of individual inventors, researchers, lecturers, experts in science and technology, professionals in agroscience and economics, enterprises, and, last but not least, students. It provides them with industrial property information and support.
- The University of Szeged Territorial Innovation Platform was established in 2019 to facilitate information flow, knowledge transfer, collaboration between key local innovators (University of Szeged, research institutes, businesses, professional organisations etc.).
Facilities and Resources
At the University of Szeged, there exist several facilities to foster innovation:
1) Science Park Szeged involves the development of a science and innovation park on a property of 85 hectares. With the establishment of Science Park Szeged, the University of Szeged’s current collaboration partners and other R&D&I enterprises can settle in the immediate vicinity of the Institution and the ELI-ALPS Laser Centre, a European research institute strongly connected to USZ and representing scientific excellence. This creates an innovation ecosystem with a multiplier effect, which is mutually supportive and inspiring for partners and significantly stimulates regional economy.
2) The Incubator House facilitates collaboration between research-driven enterprises, the ELI-ALPS research infrastructure, and the University of Szeged, establishing a foundation for the Science Park Szeged's long-term growth. It offers local and regional micro-enterprises preferential rents, tailored services, and access to professional resources.
3)The University of Szeged established a selection of advanced core facilities (ACF), prioritised for operation and development, covering a wide range of fields, from pharmaceutical research to materials science. These include: Phase I Laboratory and GMP Laboratory ACF, Preclinical ACF, HCEMM - Functional Cell Biology and Immunology ACF, Biobank ACF, Sequencing Central Laboratory ACF ,MOL Separation Technology ACF, Applied Materials Science Imaging ACF, 3D ACF, GreenTech ACF.
4)The József Attila Study and Information Centre has been creating synergy between the world of conferences, university education, and a wide range of services for more than 20 years. Since its establishment, it has embodied several key functions, including serving as a conference space, an educational space, a service hub, and a co-working space that facilitates knowledge transfer between disciplines and departments.
Partnerships and Collaboration Models
At the University of Szeged, the development of platforms, events and forums to facilitate education-research-innovation-industry partnership linkages in building knowledge quadrangles serve to intensify and enhance cooperation between regional actors, entrepreneurs, business development organisations, start-up communities, chambers and public authorities:
1) The national and international research networks (Hungarian Research Network, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, National Laboratories, HCEMM, ELI-ALPS, etc.), the highly successful research groups (research groups supported by the HUN-REN, “Momentum” research groups, etc.), and the visibility and recognition of the Institution in global higher education lay the foundations for the success of collaborations leading to further high-impact results.
2) Education partnerships and cooperation involve various channels including mobility programmes, dual and cooperative training programmes, double and multiple degree programmes, e-learning platforms (e.g. Coursera for USZ), internships and employer contacts, a high number of bilateral agreements and MoUs worldwide.
3) USZ delivers its economic development activity in its social environment through improving the intensity of cooperation between higher education, chambers of commerce, industry, municipalities, churches and civil society.
Impact and Success Stories
Katalin Karikó, together with her American research partner Drew Weissman, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of modified messenger RNA used in modern Covid-19 vaccines and for developing mRNA therapy, which opened a new path in medicine. The announcement of the Nobel Prize for Katalin Karikó, one of the most influential natural scientists of our time fills the community of her Alma Mater, the University of Szeged, with pride.
The Proof of Concept Program stands as a true success story, designed to identify and nurture early-stage technologies emerging from university research that demonstrate significant potential for market application. Its remarkable impact is evidenced by its continued growth and popularity, now being launched for the fifth consecutive time, financing 23 innovative project with a PoC fund.
Contact
For questions regarding knowledge transfer of the University of Szeged within EUGLOH, please contact: eugloh@szte.hu