New initiativesónational laboratories, science parks, and the University
Innovation Ecosystemó are creating a framework for long-term and
sustainable cooperation in Hungary. Istv·n SzabÛ, vice president
for science and international affairs at Hungaryís National Research,
Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO), describes ongoing plans and
future goals.On any weekday in the heart of Budapest, which is only about 1.
kilometers east of the Danube River, you might find Istv·n SzabÛ riding
his bicycle to work along Kazinczy Street. ìThereís a certain connection
between cycling and research,î he says. ìThey both take passion, because
cyclists and scientists both find joy in what they pursue, while they are
aware of all the efforts they must make.î
Thinking about this in an even bigger wayósomething that SzabÛ tends
to doóhe delves deeper into his cycling-as-science analogy. Comparing
buying a bicycle to purchasing a piece of research equipment with money
from a grant, he explains, ìYouíre provided the funding for having a
bicycle, but after that you will have to ride that bicycle to reach your goal.î
Still, it takes more than a bicycle and a passionate cyclist to make the most
of that method of transportation, which also demands infrastructure such
as bike lanes. The infrastructure of technical innovation lies at the heart of
SzabÛís role, so he sees opportunities all around himófrom cycling
to science.Building a personal infrastructure
Despite his current passion for scientific infrastructure, SzabÛ more
or less stumbled into this profession. ìI have to be very honest,î he says.
ìAlthough I have found the world of research infrastructures amazingfrom the first moment, it is only now that I can see how important they
are and how much I have yet to learn about them.î His enthusiasm for
the field encouraged him to broaden his knowledge at the highest level.
SzabÛís engagement with research, development, and innovation (RDI)
began in 2011, when he accepted a position managing an information
technology (IT) project at Hungaryís National Innovation Office.
Along the way, he went back to school and earned his Ph.D. in
economics in 2018 at the age of 40. ìI was feeling that my knowledge
was not complete,î SzabÛ says. ìI really wanted to do more for the
development of the academic sphere, therefore I decided to study hard
and started conducting my own research on research infrastructures to
better understand the deeper mechanisms beneath the surface.î Now, a
few years later, SzabÛ works with top officials in Hungary and around the
world to improve scientific infrastructure.Setting big goals
Hungary pursues ambitious goals for its RDI infrastructure (ht tps://
nkfih.gov.hu/english/top-rife-hungary2021), especially in innovative
capabilities. ìLike most EU [European Union] countries, Hungary faces
the so-called European Paradox,î SzabÛ says, ìwhich basically describes
Europe as strong in research or development, but weak in innovation.î
SzabÛ is determined to bring on initiatives and support developments to
improve this scenario.
ìThe reason behind this phenomenon is the lack of cooperation
between the various sectors, such as business enterprises, higher
education institutions, and research institutions,î SzabÛ says. ìWe have
to understand that the innovation ecosystem is based on widespread
cooperation, and it is our responsibility to support the partakers of thisAdvertorial
On track to enhance innovation in Hungary
IMAGES PROVIDED BY NRDIO1112Product.indd 788 11/4/21 7:56 AM