Researchers from University of Debrecen Attend Chinese-Hungarian Summit in Shenzhen
Researchers from the Faculty of Informatics at the University of Debrecen gained insight into the latest trends and future directions of artificial intelligence, industrial digitalisation, university–industry cooperation and the startup ecosystem at the Chinese-Hungarian AIM Summit held in Shenzhen, one of China’s most dynamically developing technology and innovation centres. As a result of the visit, broad professional cooperation may develop in the future between the Faculty of Informatics and the innovation and academic ecosystem of the Shenzhen–Hong Kong region.
During the event, researchers from the University of Debrecen received first-hand insight into the innovation environment of the Greater Bay Area in southern China, where university research, technology entrepreneurship, talent development and industrial applications are closely interconnected. Members of the delegation visited institutions and companies actively involved in the fields of artificial intelligence, IoT, educational technology, voice-based AI solutions and digital industrial development, according to unideb.hu.
The University of Debrecen was represented by András Hajdu, Dean of the Faculty of Informatics, Tamás Márton Bérczes, Vice-Dean for Economic Affairs and International Relations, and Balázs Harangi, Vice-Dean for Science and Research Funding. The Hungarian delegation also included Péter Baranyi, professor at Corvinus University of Budapest CIAS and head of the Chinese-Hungarian AIM initiative established jointly by Corvinus University of Budapest and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
“One of the most important aims of our professional visit was to gain direct experience of how entrepreneurship based on university research operates in one of the world’s leading innovation regions. The visit confirmed that significant opportunities may emerge for international cooperation in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence, data-driven technologies and industrial digitalisation through joint research and development projects, student and academic mobility programmes, industrial partnerships, as well as startup and technology transfer activities,” said András Hajdu, Dean of the Faculty of Informatics at the University of Debrecen.
The Hungarian delegation also visited the Hong Kong Science Park, where they were introduced to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development ecosystem, as well as the operations of the Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence (CPII), the artificial intelligence research centre of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. CPII’s research areas include machine vision, speech and language technologies, human–machine interaction, healthcare AI, smart city applications and industrial automation.
In addition to visiting university laboratories, the delegation also held discussions with representatives of the public sector at Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), the Hong Kong government’s office responsible for attracting and supporting talent. The discussions focused on opportunities for two-way cooperation: on the one hand, supporting talented Hungarian young people in entering the Chinese innovation ecosystem, and on the other hand, exploring opportunities to assist Chinese companies in expanding into Hungary and Europe. The parties also discussed incubation opportunities available in Hungary.
Experts from the University of Debrecen also visited the Qianhai EHub startup and innovation park in Shenzhen, established to support young entrepreneurs, technology companies, research and development projects and cross-border innovation cooperation. They also toured the Shenzhen research institutes operating as the research, development and technology transfer bases of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as the CUHK InnoHub for New Quality Industries innovation centre, which focuses on high value-added industries.
Approximately 70% of the activities carried out there are focused on AI, 20% on healthcare and 10% on robotics. The delegation also met and held discussions with several incubated high-tech enterprises, including unicorn companies such as Tuya Smart, LaSense Technology Limited, Manifold Tech, CocoRobo and VoiceAI.
Members of the delegation were able to observe how university research, applied development and industrial cooperation are integrated within an international research institute structure. They also gained valuable insights into supporting the growth of emerging technology industries, startups and university-originated innovations, as well as into opportunities related to technology transfer, industrial relations, startup incubation and the development of international research collaborations.
Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Pap László (Facebook)

