Proposals from the Joint Declaration and the Governing Board’s Statement Incorporated into the Draft HUN-REN Act – Introduction of the Transformation Programme Office

HUN-REN leadership has recently held further discussions with the Directors-General of its research centres and the Directors of its independent institutes. During the meeting, it was confirmed that the proposals outlined in last week's Joint Declaration and the Statement of the Governing Board have been incorporated into the draft law on HUN-REN's funding and operations. The consolidated draft will be submitted by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation for governmental decision-making. Another key topic of the Monday meeting was the introduction of the Transformation Programme Office, the body tasked with preparing and coordinating the reform process. This provided an opportunity for the heads of the research centres and independent institutes to familiarise themselves with the planned milestones of the renewal.

It was noted that the results and recommendations of the strategic project, successfully implemented last year, can be taken forward and effectively used in the development of HUN-REN's future operating model.

The leaders were briefed on the establishment of the Transformation Programme Office, its operations, and the structure of the body overseeing the transformation, along with its thematic sub-programmes. The Programme Steering Committee, the highest decision-making body, is chaired by Balázs Gulyás, President of HUN-REN. The Directors-General of the largest research centres in each of the three scientific fields have also been invited to participate in the Programme.

The eight thematic sub-programmes cover the main areas of the transformation. These include Organisation & Service Model; Finance & Taxation; HR; Change Management & Communication; Legal Affairs; Asset Management; Information Technologies; and Scientific Tasks. Delegates from the research institutions participate in the work of each sub-programme.

The heads of the research institutions were also provided with detailed information on the timeline for the transformation.

Following the Monday meeting, the Governing Board held a formal session, during which members also discussed both the issues raised during the Directors-General meeting and the draft HUN-REN Act, which had been supplemented with suggestions from the research institutions.

The President and CEO of HUN-REN continue to provide the research community with detailed updates on the timely steps involved in the renewal of HUN-REN.