The University of Szeged and BYD Auto Hungary Kft. have signed a strategic framework agreement that paves the way for new internship opportunities and deepens the university’s economic and social engagement. The partnership elevates the collaboration between SZTE and the Chinese automotive manufacturer to a new level, strengthening their joint professional and research ambitions.
On December 3, 2025, the University of Szeged signed a cooperation framework agreement with BYD Auto Hungary Kft. at the Rector’s Office. As highlighted at the event, the partnership carries strategic importance – both in enhancing students’ labor-market opportunities and in reinforcing the university’s economic and social embeddedness. At the press-attended signing ceremony, BYD Auto Hungary Kft. was represented by the company’s HR Manager Zou Yinli, while Rector Prof. Dr. László Rovó and Chancellor Dr. Judit Fendler attended in their institutional roles at the University of Szeged.
“It is fair to say that major Chinese investments in Hungary – including BYD’s project – open up substantial new opportunities while also setting new expectations for the higher education sector. That is why strengthening the partnership between BYD and the University of Szeged, and elevating it to a truly strategic level, is essential for achieving long-term, shared success”, said Prof. Dr. László Rovó.
The Rector recalled that for more than a decade, the University of Szeged has been intensively developing its network of partnerships with China. Most notably, in 2012, the University became the second institution in Hungary to open a Confucius Institute. Since then, progress has been steady in Chinese-language education, the promotion of Chinese culture, and Chinese–Hungarian exchange programs. At present, more than 250 Chinese students are enrolled at SZTE, a number that is set to grow by an additional 120 students each year thanks to the new engineering and information technology degree program launched this autumn.
Zou Yinli, BYD’s Hungary HR Manager, draw attention to the fact that many of the company’s talented employees are former SZTE students – and that every member of the HR department holds a degree from the University. This, she noted, gives her first-hand insight into the consistently strong educational standards at SZTE.
“I am confident that in the years ahead we will be able to employ an ever-growing number of new SZTE graduates. The excellence of their work speaks to the University of Szeged’s high academic standards and strong professional foundations. This is one of the reasons we are pleased to deepen our partnership even further,” remarked Zou Yinli at the press event.
The collaboration between the parties is already active across multiple areas. For instance, the University of Szeged is carrying out measurement and analytical work for BYD Hungary, and it will also be providing health-care services to the company in the future, Dr. Judit Fendler explained. According to the Chancellor, the clear beneficiaries of this partnership will be the students: they will get to engage with the most advanced trends shaping the industry, gaining first-hand experience as interns at a leading global company.
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“The University of Szeged’s strategic vision for excellence is built to reflect the expectations of both our students and our economic partners. In this spirit, we are implementing developments that position us to shape the future together with the leading players of the global economy. One of our greatest strengths moving forward will be the research potential that allows us to develop new energy sources, technologies, and processes. These innovations will deliver immediate, practical value for industrial stakeholders” noted Dr. Judit Fendler.
The newly announced framework agreement focuses on offering SZTE students professional internship opportunities at BYD’s external training site. The cooperation extends across six faculties of the University: the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences; the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration; the Faculty of Engineering; the Faculty of Science and Informatics; and the Juhász Gyula Faculty of Education. As one of the University’s key strategic partners, BYD will receive dedicated support from the appointed faculty coordinators, who – in close collaboration with the SZTE Career Office – will oversee the smooth administration of the internship program. Looking ahead, both parties aim to further expand the scope of the cooperation in the coming years.
Source: SZTEinfo
Photos by István Sahin-Tóth
