The opening meeting of the Paks Competence and Research Center of the University of Dunaújváros took place on 26 May 2020.

The opening meeting was preceeded by the signature of a tripartite strategic cooperation agreement on the establishment of the Paks Competence and Research Center (UOD-PCRC) in November 2018. This agreement has been concluded between the University of Dunaújváros, Minister János Süli, and the Paks II Ltd. The Center will deal with the construction-specific issues of the nuclear power plant, with questions related to the structural materials to be applied, and to material and assembly technologies, with special regard to welding, destructive and non-destructive material testing. Furthermore the University puts great emphasis on relevant professional training as well.

 The Government of Hungary allocated 1.5 billion HUF for the establishment of UOD-PCRC in its Decree nr. 1734. of 19 December 2019.

 

Establishment of UOD-PCRC in November 2018
Participants from left to right: Dr. György Ágoston, Dr. Mónika Rajcsányi-Molnár, Géza Pekárik, Dr. Attila Csaba Becskeházi, Gábor Füredi, János Süli, Dr. István András, István Lenkei, Dr. Lajos Dorkota, Dr. Dénes Galambos, Ádám Sándor Kiss

 

The opening meeting on 26 May 2020 was attended by Prof. Dr. József Bódis, State Secretary for Higher Education, Innovation and Vocational Education, Dr. Attila Csaba Becskeházi, State Secretary responsible for Infrastructure, Development, Innovation and Localization related to the capacity maintenance of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, dr. Dénes Galambos the region's Prime Ministerial Commissioner for Industrial and Regional Development, Marcell Benkó, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister and János Ferenc Cziczer, Director Of Operations at Paks II. Nuclear Power Plant Ltd. UOD was represented by Dr. István András, Rector, Dr. Mónika Rajcsányi-Molnár, Vice Rector for Education and General Affairs and Dr. András Nagy, Vice Rector for Scientific and Research Affairs.

 

Participants of the UOD-PCRC opening meeting held on 26 May 2020 (from left to right):
 Dr. András Nagy, Dr. Mónika Rajcsányi-Molnár, Dr. Attila Csaba Becskeházi, Dr. István András, Dr. Dénes Galambos, János Ferenc Cziczer, Marcell Benkó, Ádám Sándor Kiss

 

The program began with the Rector’s welcome speech. Dr. István András welcomed the participants and emphasized that serious professional preparatory work and negotiations with several partners preceded the opening meeting, which aims to present and discuss these results.

 

Prof. Dr. József Bódis, State Secretary attended the opening meeting through video connection

 

Following the Rector's greeting, the meeting continued with reports from the professional areas of the Paks Competence and Research Center Project of the University of Dunaújváros, where Dr. Mónika Rajcsányi-Molnár, Vice Rector for Education and General Affairs, reported on project management and educational issues. The Vice-Rector presented the budget for the developments to be implemented during the establishment of the UOD-PCRC and its 3-year operation, talked about the establishment of the Materials Testing Training Base (MTTB) and outlined in detail the UOD-PCRC’s training offer to the participants. The educational portfolio includes: specific vocational trainings (training of welding supervisors), material testing training programs (destructive and non-destructive), occupational safety training and qualified welding vocational training, university trainings (cooperative-dual trainings, specialized training - Paks II. Academy), training for relatives and attendants.

Dr. András Nagy, Vice Rector for Scientific and Research Affairs, continued the report on the current state of laboratory developments, presenting the schedule, equipment requirements and plans for the establishment of the Material Testing Service Center and the Welding Training and Research Base.

 

 

The presentations were followed by a professional workshop where participants discussed key issues for the Competence and Research Center. Participants expressed their support for the UOD-PCRC and congratulated the University on the work done so far.

At the end of the program, the sites of both the already established and the planned laboratory developments were presented within the framework of a site visit.