National
Development Agency

The National Development Agency announced the call for proposals of Priority 7/2 of the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme on 3 November 2008, within the framework of which funding amounting to a total of 6.5 million Swiss Francs was made available. Joint research projects in which Hungarian researchers may collaborate in research activities conducted by Swiss colleagues were, on the one hand, eligible for support. The aim of these projects relates to strengthening outstanding research groups in the partner countries and improving their working conditions. Projects promoting cooperation between institutions was the other key area of support. The aim, in this case, involved promoting the development and modernisation of the institutional aspects of research and higher education activities, hence enabling the participating Hungarian institutions to raise their appeal and increase their competitiveness in the field of international research.  

Applications submitted were assessed within the framework of a two-round procedure. Project concepts were first assessed in Hungary. After receiving second-round applications, the Hungarian assessment committee recommended the financing of two social science projects, one of which was the Andrássy University project, which the Hungarian committee recommended to the Swiss assessment committee. The latter approved the project to be implemented by Andrássy University in partnership with the University of St. Gallen on 26 March 2010. This project was awarded funding amounting to a total of 784,096 CHF, which represents a funding intensity of 84.8%. 

Andrássy University is the only university in Central and Eastern Europe where all courses are taught in German. This institution was founded in 2001 by Hungary, Austria, Germany, as well as two German provinces within the framework of a joint project. Switzerland joined this cooperation somewhat later in 2004. Andrássy University has been providing educational activities since 2002.

The aim of this project to be implemented from funding granted by the Swiss Contribution is to contribute to the re-positioning of Andrássy University by providing significant educational, research and administrative resources and establish the framework required for knowledge transfer. As a part of this project, Andrássy University will invite two lecturers and one visiting professor to take part in its education and research programme by ensuring the suitable infrastructures they require and offering other Swiss experts the opportunity to work on topics important from Hungary’s perspective. The University of St. Gallen will send two permanent lecturers and one visiting professor to Hungary within the framework of this project, which distinguished professionals will offer lectures and seminars adjusted to the university’s syllabus (mainly in the field of democracy research, federalism, international human rights, minority protection and new forms of public administration), help students by providing professional guidance, collaborate in new research programmes of key importance and take part in academic self-administration. Moreover, these lecturers will contribute to re-positioning the university and help organise events focusing on Swiss themes, as well as study trips to Switzerland. Visiting professors will hold block seminars twice a year and also provide professional assistance to students.



Background:

Even though Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, the county has offered to contribute funding amounting to 1 billion Swiss Francs in value within the framework of the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme towards developments to be implemented in member states that joined the EU in 2004; Hungary’s share of this framework is equivalent to approximately 21 billion HUF. This cooperation programme on the one hand aims to reduce inequalities experienced between the member states of the European Union, whilst on the other hand it targets the reduction of disparities experienced within the concerned countries.

Hungary must, as a mandatory requirement, use the funding granted by the Swiss Contribution for implementing developments in specific areas, such as, preventing and dealing with natural disasters, research and development, healthcare or supporting the non-profit sector. The way in which a minimum 40% of this funding must be used in the most disadvantaged regions of North Hungary and the North Great Plain, with special regard to Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Hajdú-Bihar County and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, is a further key requirement of this programme.