Palkovics said he had met the top managers of a company in charge of the science park at Cambridge University and also held talks with a high-ranking university official about possible cooperation and the chance of signing an agreement that could affect areas of scientific research equally important for Hungary and the university.

He cited artificial intelligence and biotechnology as examples. Cambridge University has been very successful in using academic knowledge for business purposes and developing a system of incentives that encourages university professors to use scientific research results beyond the field of academia and manage their knowledge portfolios and patents, Palkovics said.

He also met representatives of Hungarian students in Cambridge and discussed ways of getting Hungarian companies interested in advertising jobs in Hungary at the university.

Palkovics said a survey showed that one-third of the Hungarians studying in Cambridge said they planned to return to Hungary after graduation, while another third said they would return to Hungary if suitable jobs are available there. It is the task of the Hungarian government to make sure that at least two-thirds of the Hungarian students at Cambridge decide to return home after finishing their studies, Palkovics added.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.