The Two Giants of Hungarian Medical and Engineering Education Raise Their Cooperation to a Strategic Level

The cooperation will enable joint educational and research projects in the fields of medical physics, biomedical and health data science, biostatistics, network science, cardiovascular modeling, drug research, and biomechatronics development. There will be opportunities for joint applications, targeted support for the development of innovative healthcare solutions and clinical and healthcare validation, coordinated use of the institutions' infrastructure, sharing of equipment and research capacities, and, in the longer term, the establishment of a BME-SE data science center.

"The cooperation between the two universities has reached a milestone with the signing of the framework agreement, which 

lays the foundation for the development and joint achievements of our country's two outstanding medical and technical educational institutions," 

said Charaf Hassan at the signing of the agreement. He emphasized that the two universities have many similarities in terms of their traditions: Semmelweis University teaches, researches, and heals, while BME teaches, researches, and develops engineering solutions—and cooperation is necessary for success in the fields of medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, data science, and artificial intelligence.

He also mentioned that, following its change of operating model, the renewed BME is increasingly focusing on cooperation with excellent partner institutions, as evidenced by a series of cooperation agreements signed in recent months. "In the field of medicine and health sciences, Semmelweis University is our model," said Charaf Hassan.

"As rector of Semmelweis University, I am delighted that we can strengthen our decades-long cooperation with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics," said Béla Merkely. 

He emphasized that both institutions are committed to seeking out talent and supporting its development.

"In the world of science, we can only move forward by sharing knowledge, which is why it is extremely important for us to have partnerships with world-renowned educational institutions such as Harvard, Charles University in Prague, Heidelberg University, the Karolinska Institute, and the National University of Singapore," emphasized Béla Merkely.

"The unique educational cooperation agreement that has now been concluded creates opportunities for joint courses and modules, the launch of new training programs in addition to health engineering, guest lectures, closer cooperation between doctoral schools, including joint supervision and support for interdisciplinary research topics," Mr Merkely added.

According to the plans, the parties will develop existing joint training programmes and standardize the conditions for cross-enrollment and cross-teaching.

The existing cooperation between BME and Semmelweis University is also reflected in the range of courses on offer. At the intersection of technological and medical excellence, interdisciplinary programs are available, such as the master's program in health engineering at BME's Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics and the master's program in medical physics at the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

These programs offer not only theoretical knowledge, but also a practical approach based on joint research between the two institutions in the fields of medical technology development, artificial intelligence-based diagnostics, and nuclear medicine. Through this collaboration, students can learn how to apply future healthcare technologies in a unique ecosystem, bridging the gap between engineering precision and clinical patient care.

Text: BME - Semmelweis University
Photo: Semmelweis University