Hungary

The objective of the Future Ways-programme is to improve the level of education of young people and to facilitate the transition to higher education in these subject areas. This objective was set by the government, in line with related government strategies for STEM. To support the implementation of the objective, the consortium partners implement a wide range of activites, spanning multiple education levels. These include:

1.  Experience-focused workshops focusing on innovation
2.  Innovative and interactive roadshows that arouse students’ interest in the profession
3.  Company visits at leading organizations
4.  Summer camps with career orientation and skills development modules
5.  Skills development workshops for the cumulatively disadvantaged
6.  Organization of open days at the universities
7.  Training of trainers for staff members
8.  The preparation and methodological guidelines of curriculum integration

The members of the consortium (higher education instituions) took part directly in the activities. For example, iin the design of the high school quiz, where playful yet professional and thought-provoking questions were formulated designed to arouse interest in the topic and technical training. The consortium partners also participated directly in the compilation and implementation of the summer camp program. In the camp, they provided lectures on technical care / engineering t raining, the transport of the future, self-driving and electric vehicles and their effects. The lectures were designed to be understandable for the target age-group. Furthermore, during the one-week camp, students were continuously mentored and participated in teams looking for innovative solutions to future mobility and urban problems. In particular, the interactive presentations and the direct conversation with the students were well-received. Mentors encouraged students by passing on their personal experiences. Students were able to hear first-hand about the courses, new research findings, and opportunities.

The Informatics, Engineering, Agriculture and Science Training Scholarship Programme (hereinafter: the Scholarship Program) aims to contribute to a significant reduction in student drop-out rates by obtaining a higher education degree as soon as possible in the relevant fields of study. In the case of all fields of study, but especially in the case of science courses, another objective is to increase the number of students, who participate in master's programme, and to strengthen the supply of teachers and researchers. The programme aims to deliver both scholarships as well as 'catch-up programmes' to students in need. The objectives of the programme are aligned with broader (governmental) policies, in particular:

• Gear shifting in higher education medium-term policy strategy 2016: increase the number of students and graduates in mathematics, science, technology and informatics, significantly reduce drop-out rates, support student’s success in the distribution methodology of study-based scholarships and in the field of the training, increase the student’s performance, knowledge and thus the quality of training.
• Digital Education Strategy of Hungary (Action 10): In order to meet the labour demands of government programs for the development of the digital economy and the digital industry, the Hungarian Government is launching programs that go beyond traditional forms of training and reduce labour shortages that threaten the development of IT businesses and digital economy in a short term as well. Action plan point 10/11. : Additional funding must be provided for scholarships from 2018, to progressively increase the number of students in IT programmes.
• 1840/2017. (XI. 10.) Government Decree point 4 / c.: the Government requests the Minister of National Economy, the Minister of Human Resources and the Minister of Agriculture to develop a scholarship programme for students, who studying or applying for agricultural higher education and to make a proposal to the Government about the conditions for the introduction of the scholarship programme and the required amount of resources.
• Increasing the number of female students in IT training, in accordance with the EU's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI index) should be supported as a horizontal objective.

The predecessor programme, National Excellence Programme, was funded from European Social Fund (ESF) resources. The New National Excellence Programme started in 2016 and was financed from the central budget of Hungary. The programme’s budget was HUF 2.2 billion (around 6 million euro) in 2016, HUF 4 billion (around 11 million euro) in 2017, HUF 4 billion in 2018, HUF 4 billion in 2019 and HUF 4 billion in 2020. The responsible organisations are the Ministry for Innovation and Technology and the coordinating entity managing the program: the National Research, Development and Innovation Office.

During the Children’s University, young students can learn the basics of LEGO robot programming. They can build robots, observe and control their movements with the help of different sensors and motors. Participants hear a lot of interesting things about mathematics, which help them understand the simplicity and beauty of this difficult subject.

At these events, children will have the opportunity to learn more about VR and 3D printing as well. At some locations, the children will have the chance to design and print unique products.

At the Mini Tech Fairs the children have the opportunity to see the everyday life of a tech expert, they can experience the most up-to-date technologies and devices, and try what it is like to work at a tech company. Children can also meet tech volunteers at the events who speak about their everyday work, the advantages and challenges they have to face at their workplace. It can be a good opportunity for visitors to meet their future employers or get a suitable job or internship places.