BSc in Agricultural and Business Digitalization

1. The name of the undergraduate programme: Agricultural and Business Digitalization 

2. Level of qualification obtainable in the bachelor’s programme and designation of professional qualification on the diploma:

• Level of qualification: bachelor’s degree (baccalaureus, bachelor; rövidítve: BSc-)
• professional qualification: Agri-digitalization Engineer

3. Field of study: Agriculture

4. Length of the programme: 7 semesters

​​​​​5. Number of credits required to obtain an undergraduater's degree: 180+30 kredit

• Orientation of the programme:balanced (40-60 percent)
• Credit value assigned to the thesis: 15 credits
• Minimum credit value for continuous professional practice outside the institution: 30 credits
• Minimum credit value for optional subjects: 10 credits 

6. Classification of fields of study according to the uniform classification system for education: 621/0810 

7. The aim of training and professional competences of the undergraduate’s degree

The aim of the training is to train food engineers who have general knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, basic technical and economic sciences, special knowledge of food science, basic professional knowledge and practical skills in the field of food technology. With their acquired knowledge of food engineering and related market knowledge, they are able to organize and manage food production and handling work in production units of various sizes and structures. They are prepared to continue their studies in a master's programme. 

7.1. Professional competencies to be acquired 

7.1.1. Agri-digitalization Engineer 

a) knowledge 

• Gains in-depth knowledge of the concepts, principles, processes, and interrelationships of economic sciences, as well as the micro- and macro-level structures of the economy and agriculture, and is familiar with the terminology of related disciplines. Possesses a strong command of agricultural economics vocabulary and the specific features of written and spoken professional communication.
• Understands the structure and functioning of economic organisations, their domestic and cross-border networks, informational and motivational factors, with particular attention to the institutional environment. Is familiar with the general and specific characteristics, boundaries, and main development directions of the agricultural economy and its connections to the broader economic and business sectors.
• Is aware of the administrative, accounting, and financial background of the functioning and development of the agribusiness sector. Has comprehensive knowledge of key agri-digitalisation tools, administrative, planning, analytical, and farm management software used in agriculture.
• Understands the process of European integration and the European Union’s relevant sectoral policies. Has comprehensive knowledge of domestic and EU legal regulations related to the agricultural economy.
• Is familiar with the planning and management rules, as well as professional and ethical standards, for projects managed by agricultural enterprises and other economic organisations. Possesses the knowledge required to prepare project plans and EU or domestic funding applications independently or in group work.
• Knows and understands the system of domestic and EU public administration related to the functioning of the national agricultural economy, as well as the processes within the field and their interrelationships.
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of the specific characteristics of rural and regional development (including agriculture’s role in sustaining and developing rural areas) and the underlying causes. Understands the relationship between human well-being and the agricultural sector, the cultural dimensions of agriculture, its cross-cultural role and traditions. Is familiar with the interrelations between the rural economy, society, and agriculture, the social necessity of community development, and related environmental policy contexts.
• Understands land-use practices, ecological and integrated production technologies, with particular attention to precision farming. Is familiar with the professional and financial prerequisites and principles for implementing innovative developments in a sustainable food economy, as well as with methods for evaluating funding sources and conducting financial return analyses for developments and investments.
• Has a strong grasp of problem recognition, formulation, and resolution; information collection and processing; and modern, theoretically grounded mathematical, statistical, econometric, and modelling methods, including their limitations. Knows and applies both quantitative and qualitative research and software-supported methods in agricultural economics. Understands the specific research methods, abstraction techniques, and approaches to translating theoretical questions into practical applications in agricultural economics, including planning, measurement, and analysis methods for subfields.
• Possesses the knowledge required for entry into a master’s programme in the field of economic sciences. 

b) competencies 

• After acquiring practical knowledge and experience, is capable of managing organizational units relevant to the field of small, medium-sized, and potentially larger agricultural enterprises. Performs comprehensive agri-economic and IT-related functions within business organizations, plans and manages complex agribusiness processes, and efficiently allocates resources. Based on acquired knowledge and experience, is capable of managing and operating their own enterprise. Cooperates with stakeholders from related professional fields in the course of their work.
• Is capable of organizing, supervising, analyzing, and evaluating production processes in agriculture. Is able to work effectively in an international and multicultural environment.
• Participates in management processes, projects, and group problem-solving tasks; as a middle manager, plans, organizes, and evaluates activities related to their professional field. Is capable of performing and managing innovation, planning, development, and research tasks in the field of agricultural economics, as well as managing the practical utilization of research results.
• Is capable of performing high-quality analytical, decision-preparatory, and decision-making activities related to the establishment, operation, and termination of enterprises involved in agricultural economics. Able to participate independently and as part of a team in the development and implementation of business, operational, tactical, and strategic plans. Is capable of applying modern IT tools and software related to agricultural operations, and of professional and effective oral and written communication in Hungarian and at least one foreign language.
• Identifies specific professional problems using a versatile, interdisciplinary approach, explores and formulates the detailed theoretical and practical background required for their solution. Is able to recognize the positive or negative environmental impacts of specific economic measures.
• Is capable of comprehensively analyzing the problems and opportunities of a given rural area and providing advice on possible development directions, actively participating in territorial planning tasks. Is able to assess the impacts of corporate, institutional, or community projects on the economic, social, and natural environment of rural areas. Is suitable for improving the living conditions and livelihoods of people living in rural areas affected by various sectors of agribusiness, integrating available resources, developing the local economy, and creating sustainable development.
• Formulates independent new conclusions, original ideas, and solution approaches; is capable of applying advanced analytical and modeling methods. Uses knowledge transfer techniques in agricultural economics at a high level and processes Hungarian and foreign-language publications. Possesses skills in effective information search and processing. Prepares independent, academically structured summaries and analyses of specific subfields of agricultural economics. Is capable of managing the practical application of research results.. 

c) attitude 

• Creativity in professional matters; strong problem identification and problem-solving skills; analytical and synthetic abilities; commitment to the principle of sustainability; strong communication and cooperation skills; a sense of professional responsibility; and a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Possesses a well-developed professional identity and a strong sense of vocation, which is undertaken and represented toward both the professional community and the wider society. Demonstrates a cultured, ethical, and objective intellectual attitude in relations with individuals and in addressing social issues, and pays attention in their work to broader social, sectoral, regional, national, and European values. Has a clear understanding of and represents the active citizenship and cultural competencies that underpin the key issues of agricultural economics and informatics.
• Maintains a critical attitude toward their own work and behavior, as well as those of subordinates, and demonstrates innovative and proactive behavior in addressing economic problems. Strives to develop their knowledge and professional relationships, and encourages, supports, and assists colleagues and subordinates in this effort.
• Is open and receptive to new results in agriculture, economic sciences, and professional informatics, and identifies with the ethical rules and normative framework of scientific research. Is open to differing opinions when they are adequately supported by professional arguments, and communicates the comprehensive and detailed problem areas of their profession in a credible manner.
• Identifies with the concept of lifelong learning and strives to apply the latest results of their field to their own professional development. Embraces the principle that continuous professional socialization and personal learning serve the common good. 

d) autonomy and responsibility 

• Performs the comprehensive and specialized consideration and development of agri-digitalization management issues with a high degree of autonomy, based on available resources. Independently represents their established professional opinions in decision-making situations. Selects and applies relevant problem-solving methods independently, and performs agri-economic and IT-related decision-support tasks both independently and as part of a team.
• Takes responsibility for their own work, for the organization or enterprise they manage, and for employees. Independently identifies, plans, and organizes their own professional and general development, as well as that of their subordinates, and assumes and bears responsibility for these processes. In order to achieve a given organizational objective, autonomously mobilizes their theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in cooperation with other members of the group.
• Thinks responsibly about the environmental and social impacts of economic decisions, as well as the social and environmental responsibility of enterprises operating in agricultural economics. 

8. Characteristics of the undergraduate training programme 

8.1. Professional characteristics: The disciplines and fields of study that make up the profession and lead to professional qualification: 

Fundamental knowledge in economic sciences (economic, legal, and public administration fields necessary for understanding and acquiring knowledge of economic processes): 25–35 credits, including 

• Economic mathematics and informatics: 5–15 credits,
• Economics and statistical knowledge: 10–15 credits,
• Agricultural and economic law, and basic public administration knowledge: 5–15 credits. 

Fundamental agricultural technology and agricultural natural science knowledge (basic agricultural natural science and agricultural knowledge required for the production processes of individual agricultural sectors): 20–30 credits, including 

• Basic knowledge of crop production, horticulture, animal husbandry, and food chain safety: 15–25 credits,
• Basic agricultural engineering knowledge: 4–10 credits,
• Water management and environmental management knowledge: 4–8 credits. 

Fundamental knowledge in agricultural economics and entrepreneurship (agricultural economic and business development knowledge required to understand economic, agricultural policy, and business planning processes): 35–45 credits, including 

• Finance, accounting, and grant and subsidy-related knowledge: 5–15 credits,
• Farm management knowledge: 5–15 credits,
• Advisory services and agricultural trade knowledge: 5–10 credits,
• Marketing and logistics knowledge: 5–10 credits,
• Regional economics and rural policy knowledge: 5–15 credits,
• Rural development knowledge: 4–10 credits,
• Management and human resource management knowledge: 5–10 credits.

Professional knowledge in agricultural informatics and business digitalization: 60–70 credits
Agricultural informatics; data processing and visualization; agricultural database systems; agricultural management systems; farm management and farm control systems; info communication tools supporting logistics, marketing, quality assurance, project management, and food safety; sectoral information systems; public administration information systems; supply chain and value creation process management; smart agriculture; specialized sector-specific information systems; and integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. 

8.2. Requirements for professional practice: 

The professional internship consists of two parts: 

• At least three weeks of practical training related to the professional theoretical education, and
• A one-semester (twelve to fifteen weeks) professional internship carried out at an external placement.