Debrecen4U June 16, 2026

WATCH Programme Concludes Another Successful Year in Debrecen

This year’s joint career orientation programme of Agora Science Centre and Emerson NI has concluded successfully. During the WATCH project, more than 60 secondary school students designed and built interactive smart devices based on engineering principles. Now in its fifth year, the programme aligns well with the city’s efforts to support young people.

Programmed devices produced using 3D technology, robots and other intelligent solutions were showcased at the WATCH programme’s closing event. Working in teams from the design phase through to construction, the students created a variety of devices, including games as well as developments with practical everyday applications. One team, for example, created a game called Reflex Duel, in which two players can compete to test their reaction speed. “We built a two-player reaction table. The game lasts for 30 seconds, and players score points by pressing the illuminated buttons as quickly as possible during that time,” explained Anna Pályi.

The city’s aim is to create as many opportunities as possible for young people in Debrecen, Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa emphasised at the closing event. “In recent years, a great number of new jobs have been created, particularly in engineering fields, and talented young people from Debrecen are being sought for these positions. Not everyone will become an engineer, but through the WATCH programme everyone has been able to learn how to solve problems, manage projects and work as part of a team,” he highlighted.

Emerson NI has supported the programme from the very beginning. According to Managing Director Róbert Hosszu, the initiative has delivered results far beyond expectations, with more than 250 young people having taken part over the project’s 5 years. “Thousands of engineering and technical positions remain unfilled worldwide, including in Hungary, while the next phase of the industrial revolution, driven by the growing influence of artificial intelligence, is accelerating this process even further,” he pointed out.

This year, three faculties of the University of Debrecen also joined the programme, further strengthening cooperation between public education, higher education and the corporate sector. “Agora can serve as an important link between public education, higher education and businesses, as clearly demonstrated by the success of the WATCH programme,” said Dr Viktória Bacsó Borbélyné, Managing Director of Agora Science Centre.

A total of 13 projects were completed during this year’s edition of the engineering career orientation programme. Following introductory training, the secondary school teams spent three months developing their projects with the support of their mentors.

Source and photo credit: dehir.hu