University, research institutes merge as University of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Several Hungarian agriculture universities and research institutes merged on Monday under the name Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) in Gödöllő, near Budapest.

The Szt István Agriculture University, 11 research institutes of the Agriculture Research and Innovation Centre and the agriculture research institute of Debrecen University united to form the new facility, operated by a state-owned foundation.

Innovation and Technology Minister László Palkovics said after the first meeting of the university senate that the step was “long overdue”.

MATE has a good chance to rank among the best agriculture institutions in Europe, he said.

Agriculture Minister István Nagy said the competitiveness of Hungarian farmers started with a competitive agriculture education. The university will help to draw young people to the sector, he said.

As we wrote before, Gödöllő’s Szent István University of agriculture was taken over by a foundation on February 1.

The Hungarian government gave seats on the lifelong membership of the foundation to OTP Bank chief Sándor Csányi, Agriculture Minister István Nagy, Academy of Sciences members Péter Horn and Zoltán Bedő, Fidesz MP János Lázár.

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Source: MTI