The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) hosted a business meeting for partners of the MATE 100 Club on November 27 at the Gödöllő Royal Palace. The event, which focused on exploring opportunities for professional collaborations, was described by Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, Rector of MATE, as an unprecedented milestone in academia, not only in Hungary but potentially across Europe.

The MATE 100 Club, established this summer, is a unique professional alliance in Hungary, creating a new platform for collaboration among the leaders of MATE's 100 most significant corporate partners and industry stakeholders. During the meeting, key partners were introduced to the research, development, and innovation services offered by MATE’s institutes, business entities, and functional organizational units.

In his speech, Dr. Gyuricza emphasized that never before has there been an initiative that brings together representatives from academia, industry, science, and the market in such an organized setting to support practical applications of scientific results. He highlighted the shared responsibility of universities and economic actors in addressing global challenges such as climate change, which requires joint efforts and collaboration. “This is the starting point of the concept we defined and built within the MATE 2030 Strategy,” he said, outlining the strategic objectives of integrating education, research, digital transformation, and close cooperation between MATE, the economic sector, and policymakers. He also pointed out that the creation of the MATE 100 Club aligns with this vision, with the event serving as its first major milestone. Dr. Gyuricza expressed his gratitude to the 53 companies represented at the event by senior executives and emphasized the importance of having competent leaders work with university staff to generate research with tangible practical benefits. He noted, “While similar B2B events are common in the business world, such initiatives have been unprecedented in universities.”

The event’s primary objective was to connect academia, industry, and sectoral organizations with university representatives to define research directions that could result in tangible outcomes, such as products, technologies, or new plant varieties.

​​​​​​As highlighted in the professional presentations, MATE offers numerous opportunities for innovation-focused partnerships, from innovation financing and enhancing corporate innovation capabilities to targeted and applied research, joint product development, and patents. Dr. László Nagy, Director of the Grant Management and Innovation Directorate, encouraged attendees to identify research and innovation areas where the university could actively contribute to corporate R&D. “By the end of the day, the question should not be whether collaboration is possible or in which areas, but when it can begin in a resource-oriented manner for both the university and economic actors,” he stated.

​​​​​​Dr. Zoltán Kovács, the Rector’s Advisor on Scientific Strategy, introduced the newly launched Flagship Research Groups program, which is an integral part of the MATE 2030 Strategy. Designed to enhance the university’s research and publication performance while increasing its international visibility, the program provides targeted support to 13 research groups over three years. Dr. Kovács highlighted MATE’s commitment to becoming a prominent global player in agriculture, with nearly 150 researchers supported across its campuses and training locations. He also emphasized the prestige that MATE’s reputation and results bring to corporate partners, noting that the preparedness and expertise of MATE graduates add value to employers, enhancing their reputation in the labor market.

​​​​​​The meeting hosted over 50 partner companies, involving around 80 leaders and staff members, who conducted nearly 100 professional discussions with MATE’s organizational units. Concurrently, the Flagship Research Groups presented their work, offering insights into cutting-edge research on crop production, animal husbandry, horticulture, climate change, and sustainable, safe, and health-conscious food supply systems.

The event also featured a session titled “From Project to Implementation,” during which Lajos Komonyi, Head of the Key Projects Division, outlined project generation processes and funding structures. Mónika Kocsis-Kiss, Head of the International Projects Division, presented international achievements, success stories, and opportunities for further collaboration.