EDUPARK

EDUPARK Nonprofit Kft. as vocational training provider in the South Great Plain region with practical training centres in Kecskemét and in Szeged, coordinates the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) in Kecskemét in cooperation with the regional stakeholders as DIH Partnership. DIH Partnership brings together the main players for industrial innovation in Kecskemét with extensive cooperation links to other knowledge centers in Hungary. The technology innovation activities within the DIH Partnership are coordinated by IQ Kecskemét Industrial Research Kft. Our objective is to establish an innovation hub for manufacturing and construction on the basis of IQ Kecskemét which is a physical location for open innovation in architecture and construction industry offering prototyping facilities (CNC machines, 3D scanners and printers), vocational training site and technology development services. The medium term vision of DIH Partnership is to become the acknowledged regional center for entrepreneurial support in digital transformation of the industry which can provide practical advice and support to the SMEs in the region for their activities in digital technology development. It shall lead to the development of an eco-system for innovation that can promote the innovation culture in the central region of Hungary because knowledge based economic development should not be constrained to the capital region of Budapest. The long term objective of DIH Partnership is to play an active role in transnational cooperation for innovation in Central Europe as regional center for industrial digitalization and open innovation in selected industrial sectors and also to foster cooperation and open innovation transnationally on European level. DIH Kecskemét is active player in the support of start-up companies and young individuals that have fresh new ideas having the potential for business by digital solutions. The Digital Welfare Programme (Digitális Jólét Programme) of the Hungarian government have already defined the strategic framework for the advancement of digitalisation in Hungary therefore the local actions of DIH Kecskemét can contribute to the national initiatives (p.e. Modern Vállalkozások Programja, INPUT Program). Education with focus on Digital Skills is a new function that is promoted by the Digital Welfare Programme for benefit of society and the economy in Hungary. Consequently – with the objective to improve the digitalization of companies – the vocational training centre within the DIH Partnership delivers high quality technicians with digital skills for the current and future jobs. It is achieved by dual education schemes that allow SMEs to have a significant role in professional development of younger generation and it shall improve the human capacity of the regional industry within a few years.