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PTE SMART UNIVERSITY Program

Currently, the University of Pécs (UP) has an outstanding data asset covering several areas and performs numerous research and educational tasks that can be further developed with the help of artificial intelligence. Technological advances provide opportunities to increase the efficiency of internal processes, enhance scientific results, and create marketable services.

The PTE Smart University (SU) program is designed to support the identification, registration, and development of university AI research. It is a project-based framework covering the entire university, requiring a matrix organizational structure, which, by exploring and targeting the development of UP's strengths, identifies focus areas based on cooperation between scientific fields and organizational units focus areas based on cooperation between scientific fields and organizational units that contribute to the achievement of UP's strategic goals, as well as the business-based utilization of these results within and outside the institution. Its implementation involves the cooperation of several administrative and academic units. Its organizational framework and operation are governed by a joint instruction from the rector and the chancellor.

The project organization was established at the end of 2024, after which the SU began its work. This is a milestone in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), as the University's existing AI research, development, and educational content has finally been identified, recorded, and evaluated, AI applications have been identified, a list of AI competencies was compiled, and the infrastructure supporting the University's AI activities was recorded.

During the operation of the Smart University, priority projects and priority services will be identified. Of the latter, four have been named and primarily provide data-based services in line with the University's strategic goals.

  • Health Data Analysis Group: responsible for the systematization, storage, and use of existing health data at the University (Head: Sándor Kovács kovacs.sandor@pte.hu);
  • Data Infrastructure Group: responsible for providing the necessary IT support, developing and continuously improving the appropriate equipment capacities based on demand, and ensuring data security (Head: László Csillik csillik.laszlo@pte.hu);
  • Data Rights and Regulatory Group: responsible for creating data rights regulations and procedures, and regulating data access and data usage (Head: Dr. Gergely László Szőke szoke.gergely@ajk.pte.hu);
  • Indicator Monitoring Group: responsible for developing the management information system and monitoring the indicators defined in the university strategy and KFSZ (Head: Dr. Krisztián Szűcs szucsk@ktk.pte.hu).

The priority services can be used by university units and priority projects at internal cost price on an ad hoc basis.

As part of the Smart University Program, an internal tender was launched in March 2025, offering opportunities for the implementation of artificial intelligence-based projects that are already underway or have rapid development potential.

The tender was accompanied by great interest. As a result of the evaluation process and secret ballot, the rector's office ultimately recommended 12 projects for funding. The total budget of the funded proposals approached the available budget of HUF 122 million. The winning projects were given the title of "priority project," which ensures them the financial backing of UP during the supported development period. The implementation of the projects began in August, and most projects will be completed within 10 months.

The aim of the priority projects is to support the achievement of results in education, R&D, or service development that can be utilized in the university system or continue to function as market services after the project is completed.

Financing

The operation of Smart University is financed by the creation of two financial funds: the Priority Projects Financial Fund, established with the support of the UQA to support the implementation of priority projects, from which grants can be drawn down on an ongoing basis through the established application system, in accordance with the procedures and objective evaluation criteria approved by the UQA. The University will finance the operation of SU (priority services, operational management, costs of the academic and expert advisory board, other support costs) based on a preliminary plan, to be charged to the SU Operation Fund.

Further information

Exciting discussions about the featured projects can be followed in the PTE Smart University Podcast episodes, and we also report on all developments on our continuously updated website .

We would also like to point out that there are currently no open calls for applications.