A key strategic cooperation agreement on the establishment of a Central European Centre of Excellence for Medical Technology Innovation was signed by Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács, Rector of Óbuda University, Csaba Sebestyén, President of the Zsámbéki Science and Innovation Park Nonprofit Ltd., Zsolt Tóth, Executive Secretary General of the Hungarian Medical Manufacturers and Service Providers Accredited Innovation Cluster (MediKlaszter), representing the Hungarian medical technology industry, and Dr. Arnold Steiner, Chairman and CEO of Medicor Zrt on the 27th of February. The signing ceremony was attended and supported by the President of the Rudolf Kálmán Foundation for Óbuda University, Dr. András Cser-Palkovics, Mayor of Székesfehérvár.
The industrial utilisation of university research and development is one of the pillars of Hungarian competitiveness – emphasised Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács. As he said, Óbuda University is one of the leading workshops for medical technology developments and innovations in the healthcare industry in Hungary. The establishment of the centre of excellence can effectively promote the expansion of contacts, innovation and joint domestic and international opportunities for Hungarian and Central and Eastern European medtech organisations and companies. The Zsámbéki Science and Innovation Park will be the venue of the cooperation, the Rector pointed out, mentioning that two years ago, the University of Óbuda was the first in Hungary to establish a joint Department of Medical Technology Industry with Medicor Zrt. and Mediklaszter.
According to the newly signed document, the main objective is to coordinate the cooperation between MediCluster, Medicor, Óbuda University and the Zsámbéki Science and Innovation Park, and to define an innovative medical technology development direction to be achieved through the provision and coordinated development of research, services and industry education and training activities. One of the main directions of the strategic cooperation is the implementation of a Central European Centre of Excellence for Medical Technology Innovation in Zsámbék, which will contribute to the creation of an internationally competitive medical technology innovation ecosystem. The implementation will have a positive impact on the country’s, the region’s and the EU’s health industry dynamics, fostering university-based technology transfer activities and industry clustering at national and international level. The planned focus areas of the Centre of Excellence will include the strengthening of Hungary’s medical technology and defence industry, the development of emergency equipment, the development of the unique Hungarian mass ventilation system, the MASSVENTIL project.
The key strategic cooperation between the University of Óbuda, the Zsámbéki Science and Innovation Park, leading medical technology companies and the cluster will create a basis for innovation, economic growth and sustainable development, as well as for strengthening regional and international competitiveness.