New perspectives on innovation

In 2021, Huawei Technologies Hungary Ltd. and the University of Pécs signed a strategic cooperation agreement, under which the Huawei ICT Academy was launched the same year at the university's Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. The recent meeting – attended by Gao Wei Jie, CEO of Huawei Technologies Hungary Ltd. – aimed to further expand this collaboration to a broader scope.

Gao Wei Jie highlighted that the company and the university have successfully collaborated on several initiatives over the past years, including the smart campus program and the Huawei ICT Academy. The academy provides students with the opportunity to learn about next-generation mobile networks, cutting-edge network equipment used in the industry, and new possibilities within the field of artificial intelligence. It functions as an e-learning platform, offering access to over 20 specialized technical disciplines through theoretical, practical, and simulation-based training. The long-term objective is to integrate this into traditional university education.

"Together with the University of Pécs, we would operate as a support center for other universities, assisting in the operation of the Academy and ensuring that both instructors and students use it effectively. If we create something and then abandon it, it won’t work. That’s why support centers like the University of Pécs are, in my view, strategically very important and valuable," emphasized the CEO.

One of the flagship elements of this partnership is the Huawei SEEDs Excellence Scholarship, designed to support engineering students in conducting technological research and development. Scholarship recipients work on a project tied to a designated research theme under the guidance of a mentor, gaining practical experience essential for their future engineering careers.

Thanks to the Huawei ICT Academy, students gain hands-on exposure to the latest technologies – Gao noted – but also underlined a bigger shift: "We are transitioning from the digital age into the intelligent era." Discussions also included how Huawei’s AI technologies could contribute to the university’s Smart University Program. In the 2025 Huawei ICT Competition, students from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology achieved outstanding results in the “Practice Network Track – Students Competition” category, while lecturer Gábor Gyurák won the European title in the “MVI – Teachers Competition” and a silver medal at the global finals.

Gao also shared that several months ago, representatives of multiple universities – including the University of Pécs – were invited to China to explore the broader use of digital technologies and AI in education, and how these tools can support both students and faculty.

According to Dr. József Betlehem, Vice Rector for General Affairs, Connections and Strategic Affairs at the University of Pécs, the institution’s Smart University Program could find a powerful new trajectory by building on its already fruitful relationship with Huawei. “The steps already taken and the results achieved by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology inspire confidence to move forward,” he added.

As part of this recent consultation, Huawei’s European and Hungarian leadership entrusted the university with the task of bringing meaningful substance to the cooperation framework agreement signed in April. This initiative is expected to deliver tangible outcomes for the Smart University project, potentially in the short term. It may include collaborative efforts in cybersecurity research and education, and even shape the development of the university’s educational and digital infrastructure.

During the discussions – attended by several high-ranking representatives including Peng Qian, Vice President of Cloud and AI Technologies at Huawei Europe, and Jim Gu, Director of Huawei’s European Education Division – participants also agreed on launching pilot projects. These initiatives aim to yield measurable results in previously identified academic programs, especially in healthcare and IT.

The University of Pécs also supports AI-based government initiatives and, within the framework of the Smart University Program, aims to improve operational efficiency through artificial intelligence, not only in teaching but also in data-driven decision-making and research.

This broader perspective could position the University of Pécs to lead innovation, while also unlocking new revenue streams for the institution alongside its knowledge capital. According to the vice rector, Huawei’s top-level commitment indicates that concrete, high-impact projects and results can be expected in the near future.

This marked Gao Wei Jie’s first visit to the University of Pécs, and he was immediately impressed by the city: “Pécs is beautiful, peaceful, clean, and has a very pleasant atmosphere,” he noted. He also added that he will act as an “unofficial ambassador” for the university in China, spreading the word among other Chinese companies.

Members of the Huawei delegation that honored our university with their visit:

• Gao Wei Jie – CEO, Huawei Technologies Hungary Ltd.
• Peng Qian – Vice President of Cloud Business, Europe
• Jim Gu – Director of Education Business, Europe
• Emma Yang – Manager of Talent Cultivation Solutions, Huawei Europe
• Owen Li – Director of Cloud Business Group, Hungary
• Mariann Gecse – Director of Public Relations, West Balkans
• Terry Tang – Director of Technical Solutions, Enterprise & Government Business Group, Hungary
• Edina Czegai – Marketing Manager, Enterprise & Government Business Group, Hungary
• Bence Tobak – Education Industry Business Manager, Enterprise & Government Business Group, Hungary
• Botond Limbacher – HR Manager, Huawei Technologies Hungary Ltd.