A cooperation agreement covering professional training and research and development was signed by the leaders of the University of Debrecen (DE) and BMW Group Plant Debrecen at the university’s Learning Centre on Tuesday, 4 July.
University of Debrecen Foundation Board of Trustees chairman György Kossa said that when two global brands, BMW and DE, come together, it sends a strong message to the students studying at the university, and to the residents of the region as well. He referred to the new developments as an opportunity for the university to help a major international company carry forward a centuries-old tradition with added value.
President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing Hungary Ltd. Hans-Peter Kemser stated that the current agreement serves as a framework and foundation for future cooperation. He emphasised that BMW is committed to Debrecen in the long term. He added that the company aims to collaborate with highly skilled professionals. Also, Kemser noted that there are ongoing negotiations with several university faculties, and he hopes that cooperation will also extend to research. Hans-Peter Kemser recalled that BMW established contact with the Debrecen Vocational Training Center (DSzC) in 2019. Consequently,
a hundred students will begin their studies at BMW through dual education starting in September,
and their numbers will increase to three hundred in the coming years. The CEO considers the signing of the cooperation agreement an important milestone.
Rector Zoltán Szilvássy pointed out that the University of Debrecen offers the widest range of education in Hungary, so it can contribute significantly to the field of education, training, and innovation. ‘The strategic partnership is embodied in the contract,’ the rector said in reference to the cooperation agreement.
Mayor of Debrecen László Papp proudly told the audience that ‘Debrecen is writing its success story day by day.’ He went on to say that he thinks we are living in a historic period, undergoing changes and transformations, the consequences of which, and their positive impacts, are not always fully understood even by the residents yet. The mayor expressed his conviction that if the city has two strong allies like the university and BMW, it will succeed in keeping talented young people in the area.
‘Debrecen is destined for success’,
the city leader added.
In the first half of this year, car dealerships in Hungary registered 2,690 BMWs and 351 MINIs. This makes BMW the seventh most popular car brand in Hungary and the leading brand in the premium segment. So far this year, a total of 57,559 new passenger cars have been registered in Hungary, slightly surpassing the 57,408 units in the first half of 2022.
According to information provided by the BMW Group, the company sold a total of 5,267 new cars throughout the previous year, marking an 18 per cent growth in sales, while the Hungarian market for new passenger cars shrank by 8.5 per cent to 111,524 units. A total of 4,785 new BMWs and 482 MINIs were registered in Hungary last year.
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