Renowned Nobel Laureate Speaks Out Against EU Ban on Hungarian Research Funding
Nobel laureate physicist Prof. Ferenc Krausz recently spoke at an informal EU meeting on higher education and research, stressing the significance of research, innovation, and international collaboration for Europe’s economic competitiveness. The meeting highlighted the European Council’s decision in December 2022 to exclude transformative universities from EU funding, a move criticized by Prof. Krausz for impeding Hungarian research programs’ ability to engage internationally.
In his remarks, Prof. Krausz mentioned the Molecular Fingerprinting Research Center, where technology is being developed to forecast major non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes using AI-assisted analysis of blood samples. He emphasized how early detection through this technology could address global health challenges, particularly in countries with limited resources.
Despite the academic excellence of Hungarian universities, political disputes have affected programs like Erasmus Exchange and Horizon. Hungary accuses the EU of political manipulation in exclusion from Erasmus, leading to delays in program discussions and hampering university participation. The ongoing EU discrimination issues add complexity to Hungarian institutions’ involvement in essential educational and research initiatives.
Efforts to expand cooperation with Austrian and Polish research institutes have been hindered by the EU funding restrictions, preventing the establishment of a Munich-Budapest-Wroclaw consortium. Additionally, attention was drawn to a new CMF building in Budapest, for which the Hungarian government has earmarked HUF 75B (EUR 194M) in funding until 2030.
Despite the challenges, negotiations for collaboration continue, showcasing the resilience and determination of Hungarian universities to thrive in the academic and research landscape. The dedication and innovation of figures like Prof. Ferenc Krausz underscore the importance of fostering an environment conducive to research, innovation, and international partnerships for the advancement of Europe’s economic competitiveness.
Sources:
Hungarian Nation
Hungary Today
