Provide expert advice to government (16.3.1)

In 2025, Széchenyi István University contributed directly to local government decision-making through cooperation with the Municipality of Győr on the development of the city’s new identity and branding strategy. Experts from the University’s Design Campus participated in preparing the public competition launched by the Municipality of Győr and were involved in the professional evaluation of submitted proposals. The initiative was carried out in cooperation with the city leadership and aimed to support Győr’s long-term urban development, visibility, competitiveness and strategic positioning. This represents direct expert advice and evidence-based professional input into local government planning and decision-making.

The University’s expertise is also reflected in the active involvement of its academic staff in public administration, urban planning and heritage protection. Members of the University’s Department of Architectural History and Urban Planning hold or have held positions in public authorities and planning institutions, facilitating knowledge transfer between academia and government. Examples include Dr. Veöreös András, Deputy Head of the Cultural Heritage Protection Office of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Government Office; Szalánczi Gábor, Chief Architect of the Municipality of Győrújbarát; and Kuslits Tibor, former Chief Architect of Sopron and former State Chief Architect of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Government Office. Through these roles, university expertise contributes directly to public planning and development processes.

In 2025, Széchenyi István University contributed directly to the preparation of the expert study supporting the initiative to designate Szigetköz as a priority development region. The study was prepared by HÉTFA Institute and Széchenyi István University for the regional development process led by the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Government. University experts participated in developing the structure of the supporting document and coordinating its data and sources.

The process connected university expertise directly with public-policy development. The supporting document addressed the proposed territorial scope of the priority region and the social, environmental and economic factors requiring coordinated regional development policy. The document proceeded to consultation with the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Government and the Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development and to wider stakeholder consultation involving municipalities and civil-society organisations.

In 2025, Széchenyi István University and the Ministry of Justice of Hungary signed a cooperation agreement to support victim assistance activities. The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration between higher education and public administration in supporting victims of crime, promoting awareness of victim support services, and developing related educational and professional activities. Through this formal cooperation with a national government ministry, the University contributes academic expertise and professional knowledge to an area of public policy and social support. The agreement demonstrates the University’s direct engagement with national government in addressing societal challenges and supporting the development and dissemination of knowledge relevant to victim protection and assistance.