The new partnership aims to promote practical training for technical experts, the development of curricula and conducting joint research projects in the fields of battery technology and energy industry. CATL Debrecen will be directly involved in the practical training and curriculum development of students at the university, making sure that they have immediate access to the latest industrial innovations in battery development and manufacturing.
Reflecting on the significance of this partnership, Rector of the University of Debrecen Zoltán Szilvássy highlighted that multinational companies coming to Debrecen can always rely on our institution as a source of R&D and innovation knowledge as well as a human resource base.
“Our basic premise is to recognize the importance of establishing a relationship with major companies settling in Debrecen that can be fruitful for both parties. We need to pay particular attention to representatives of the pharmaceutical and automotive sectors as well as life sciences, as these areas are also a major focus of the teaching and research activities at the University of Debrecen. CATL is a key entity in the automotive industry, and its activities are also of major importance in several other walks of life, so there is great potential for our cooperation. We will do our best to take some important steps together in the development of scientific technology,” said the Rector.
The company CATL also offers students hands-on practice opportunities at its factory in Debrecen, where they can get an insight into state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and technological solutions.
“CATL is committed to training the professionals of the future. Through our partnership with the University of Debrecen, we provide students with the opportunity to acquire state-of-the-art industry knowledge, which is key in the rapidly evolving world of battery technology. We are proud of our R&D activities, which are central to technological innovation and the realization of sustainable energy solutions. To effectively support the uptake of sustainable means of electric transport, a highly qualified workforce is essential, and the University of Debrecen's strong track record is a guarantee for this,” said Jason Chen, Managing Director of CATL's European operations, at the signing ceremony.
MD Chen also pointed out that the Chinese company has a long-term commitment to Hungary and Debrecen, so they consider it top priority to actively participate in workforce training and support institutions at all levels of education. As part of this, CATL Debrecen signed an agreement with Debrecen’s Vocational Training Centre in February 2024 in order to launch dual training.
Press Centre