The AGROFERT Group has long perceived its responsibility for the development of education in the fields in which it operates. In the Czech Republic, there has been intensive long-term cooperation with the Mendel University in Brno and the CZU in Prague, and the system of cooperating schools also includes approximately forty secondary vocational schools and apprenticeships. The aim of this cooperation is both to secure the best quality staff and to support educational institutions in their difficult and meritorious work. AGROFERT has now taken a significant step in this area in Hungary, where it confirmed a strategic partnership in the field of education and research with István Széchenyi University.
Hungarian Minister of Agriculture István Nagy took part in the ceremony, which included a press conference attended by a large number of journalists, in addition to members of the Board of Directors of the AGROFERT Group and the István Szécsényi University. Nagy appreciated the cooperation between the corporate sector and academia: "Thanks to this, universities produce young graduates who are able to immediately find work in agriculture and are an asset to the given agricultural enterprise."
István Széchenyi University has been cooperating with the individual subsidiaries of the AGROFERT Group in Hungary for a long time, namely IKR Agrár Kft. and Agrotec Magyarország Kft. AGROFERT has now entered into a group-wide agreement with the university to jointly develop programmes and opportunities in research, education and professional development for students.
"This June, we signed a memorandum, which is not only about the individual companies of the concern in Hungary, but also about the cooperation between the university and Agrofert Hungária, or the entire AGROFERT Group. It will serve as a basis for our joint research, development and the strengthening of competitiveness," says Tünde Bartha, Country Manager for AGROFERT Hungária, who is also responsible for managing the Group's development in Eastern Europe and in countries where AGROFERT has not been active before, such as the Balkans and the Middle East.
The partnership between the Group and the University focuses on strengthening the links between the innovation parks in Győr, Mosonmagyaróvár (Smart Farm) and Zalaegerszeg (ZalaZone) and the Bábolna Campus project, which is part of AGROFERT. Thanks to this strengthened cooperation, AGROFERT Group will provide university students with practical facilities for their studies and will also support the activities of young scientists involved in student theses and doctoral programmes. This cooperation, supported by the Center for University and Industrial Cooperation and the Research Center for Agriculture and Food Industry of the University, will contribute to strengthening the educational, scientific and entrepreneurial activities of the University, to the development of research infrastructure and to the support of the creation of spin-off and startup companies.
Another benefit of cooperation is a deeper connection between theory and practical training. Agrofert will provide the University with experts who will introduce students to the real functioning of companies. We look forward to a long-term and successful cooperation that will bring new opportunities and innovations for both parties," says Petr Cingr, Vice-Chairman of the Board of AGROFERT.
Today, it is no longer enough to only offer students theory. If we do not show them theory in practice and allow them to try what they have learned, then our education cannot be successful," confirms Dr. Tóth Tamás, dean of the Albert Kazmér University Faculty in Mosonmagyarovár.