The Universitas Quinqueecclesiensis Foundation, which maintains the University of Pécs, has initiated a comprehensive development programme. The UniNext Innovation Programme was created with the trend-setting aim of addressing the region's biggest challenges in a comprehensive and sustainable way.
The catching-up of the South Transdanubian region is one of the most important tasks of regional development in Hungary. The UniNext Innovation Programme also aims to change the trend of decades of economic backwardness in the region. The main beneficiaries of this comprehensive and sustainable economic, territorial, health and education development programme, launched at the initiative of the Foundation, will be local society and the business community.
„We need a comprehensive programme that clarifies everyone's role and sets out the expected results. Through the UniNext Innovation Programme, we are building on the expertise available at the university, and in cooperation with local governments, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, institutions, authorities and the government, we are initiating the coordination of regional development ideas” – emphasises István Decsi, Chancellor of the University of Pécs.
The UniNext Innovation Programme aims to improve the quality of life of local residents, the R&D and innovation activities of local companies and the efficiency of the economy.
„I believe that the future of the region is based on the security of the people who live here. UniNext is a trend-setting development programme for the whole Baranya County and the South Transdanubian region. We can link and implement scientific, sustainability, educational, economic and regional development plans in a coordinated way that will bring a high quality of life, a predictable vision and continuous development to the people and businesses living and working here” – said István Decsi.
The University of Pécs, as the largest and most extensively networked organisation in the region, is not only an initiator but also an active participant in the UniNext Innovation Programme.
Thanks to UniNext, thousands of new jobs could be created in the coming years and thousands of billions of forints worth of foreign investment capital could come to the region. More than HUF 250 billion will be invested in transport development.
In December 2024, the Pécs-Baranya Chamber of Commerce and Industry carried out a representative public opinion survey to assess the needs of the local population. According to the survey, 93% of people living in and around Pécs agree that the county's economic decline must be halted. And 98% of those polled said that more jobs should be created in the region, local small and medium-sized enterprises should be given a chance to thrive and young people should be given the opportunity to thrive locally.
