By Arnold Csonka, Associate Professor at MATE-KC
In today’s rapidly changing world, higher education institutions (HEIs) play a more critical role than ever, especially in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. At MATE (Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences), we are proud to be at the forefront of these changes as part of the Accelerate Future HEI project. Led by the Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics, this initiative is driving innovative education, regional development, and collaboration with local and international partners.
The Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics at MATE is central to shaping the future of the agricultural economy and agrarian policy. Our team focuses on teaching and researching the economic aspects of Hungarian agriculture and the food economy, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic priorities.
Our primary goal is to provide European-standard educational programs with courses available in both English and Hungarian. These programs cover fields such as agricultural science, food science, social science, economics, and engineering, preparing our students to meet global challenges while addressing local socio-economic needs.
Our Main Objectives
The Accelerate Future HEI project has several key objectives driving our efforts:
- Creating Opportunities for All: We aim to promote social advancement and ensure broad access to education and resources, benefiting both less-developed and more-developed regions through our initiatives.
- Renewing Higher Education: Our focus is on aligning higher education content with international trends while addressing the specific needs of local communities and industries.
- Empowering SMEs: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital for technological advancement and economic growth. By partnering with us, SMEs can gain a competitive edge and help shape the future of technology.
Through pre-scanning activities, asset mapping, focus groups, and a Strategic Vision Statement (SVS) workshop, we have defined a clear vision for MATE: to become the leading agricultural-focused research university in Central and Eastern Europe. This vision is grounded in innovation-driven education and research, aiming to positively impact quality of life and the environment. Sustainability and digitalisation are key pillars of this vision, ensuring we prepare for a green future using modern technologies.
Our Framework for Success: ITAP and the Four Pillars of Action
To achieve our goals, we are working on the Institutional Transformation Acceleration Project (ITAP), a framework designed to accelerate MATE’s transformation into a more entrepreneurial and innovative institution. Developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, our ITAP focuses on four main pillars:
- Entrepreneurial Education: We aim to equip students with entrepreneurial skills and mindsets necessary to tackle major challenges. By 2030, MATE will offer numerous opportunities for students to engage in entrepreneurial activities and research, collaborating closely with external stakeholders to develop relevant educational programs.
- Mindset Development: Our goal is to support regional, social, and community development. By 2030, MATE will actively participate in local and national innovation programs, with entrepreneurial thinking reflected in our mission statement and performance evaluations.
- Organisational Capacity: To support research and entrepreneurial activities, MATE is expanding its service portfolio. By 2030, we will offer training programs, provide funding solutions for innovative research, and offer mentorship for the effective use of research results.
- Ecosystem Expansion: MATE is broadening its network within the business sector and among innovation-related NGOs at national and international levels. By 2030, we will host annual knowledge exchange workshops with stakeholders from agribusiness and related sectors and provide access to an innovation and entrepreneurship information system.
We have developed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track our progress, ensuring that our initiatives are measurable, objective, and relevant. These indicators include the number of students participating in entrepreneurial activities, the number of external stakeholders involved in education, and the number of research projects focused on innovation. While still in the early stages of data collection for 2024, we expect to start reporting on our progress by early 2026, providing a clear picture of the results from the 2025 academic year.
A key factor in the success of the Accelerate Future HEI project is the mentorship support we have received. External mentors, with extensive experience in entrepreneurship and innovation, have been instrumental in helping us navigate challenges and mitigate risks. Their input has been critical in aligning our goals with global best practices, ensuring we stay on the right path.
Mentorship has also facilitated building relationships with regional partners, including a promising collaboration with stakeholders in Croatia. These partnerships are essential for expanding our network and strengthening our role in regional development.
Although still in the planning and development phase, we have begun small-scale testing of some strategic actions and activities. These tests carried out under controlled conditions, have provided valuable insights, enabling us to launch larger initiatives more efficiently in the coming years.
MATE’s Path to 2030
Looking ahead, the Accelerate Future HEI project positions MATE as a leader in agricultural research and innovation. By 2030, we expect significant progress in developing entrepreneurial education, organisational capacity, and ecosystem expansion. Our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and regional development will continue to drive our efforts as we build a brighter future for our students, partners, and communities.
