BME and Corvinus Host Welcome Reception Ahead of QS Higher Ed Summit

Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), together with Corvinus University of Budapest, hosted a welcome reception and panel discussion ahead of the QS Higher Ed Summit: Europe 2026, held in Budapest on 24–25 June. The event brought together university leaders and higher education professionals from across Europe to discuss the future of universities, innovation, and international cooperation.

Opening the two-day event, Andrew Plant, executive director of QS Europe, highlighted the summit’s focus on internationalisation, employability, research collaboration, institutional resilience, and the role of universities in shaping society. He also emphasized the importance of informal networking in building new partnerships and exchanging ideas.

Welcoming the participants on behalf of BME, Gergely Zaránd, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs, presented the university’s rich heritage and international profile. Founded in 1782, BME is  Europe’s oldest technical university and today maintains partnerships with more than 1,000 companies and fosters over 1,200 university collaborations worldwide. He underlined BME’s strong research performance, growing publication quality, and active participation in international networks, including HORIZON projects and the EELISA university alliance.

On behalf of Corvinus University, Péter Fehér, director of international alliances, introduced the university’s internationalisation strategy, noting that more than a quarter of its students and 16% of its faculty come from abroad. He highlighted Corvinus’ extensive English-language programmes, international accreditations, and strong corporate partnerships that help prepare students for global careers.

The evening’s panel discussion explored how universities can strengthen innovation through closer cooperation with industry. The panel featured Joachim Lutz, dean of Mannheim Business School, Bruno Van Pottelsberghe, rector of Corvinus University of Budapest, and Hassan Charaf, Rector of BME. The discussion was moderated by Péter Fehér and András Nemeslaki, BME’s Vice-Rector for International Affairs.

The speakers agreed that rapid technological change, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, is transforming higher education and the skills expected from graduates. 

They stressed that universities must work closely with industry to ensure that education remains relevant and equips students with the ability to create real societal and economic impact.

The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of interdisciplinary education. Combining engineering, business, social sciences, sustainability, and artificial intelligence was identified as essential for preparing graduates to address complex global challenges and bring innovative ideas to market. “We can create more academic partnerships for exchange opportunities and corporate partnerships by leveraging our network,” said Rector Van Pottelsberghe, highlighting the crucial role that university alumni can play in institutional growth.

Reflecting BME’s strong ties with industry, Rector Charaf noted that approximately 20% of the university’s budget already comes directly from industrial partnerships. He also presented BME’s expanding technology transfer activities and its commitment to strengthening innovation by supporting prototype development, applied research, and entrepreneurship.

The panel concluded with a discussion on university rankings and international competitiveness. While acknowledging the influence of global rankings, the speakers argued that universities should focus on delivering high-quality education, impactful research, meaningful partnerships, and international collaboration, recognising that these achievements ultimately contribute to long-term institutional reputation.

The event provided an excellent opportunity for participants to exchange ideas, establish new professional connections, and set the stage for the discussions that followed.

Rector’s Office, Communications Directorate