Homecoming Forum 2008 at the Embassy

The 6^th annual Homecoming Forum co-organized by Sándor Végh, President of the HungarianAmerica Foundation, and Balázs Erdei, the Embassy's Science Attaché,  was held on Saturday, April 19^th, 2008 at the Hungarian Embassy.  The conference traditionally aims at providing an opportunity for fellow young professional Hungarians studying, researching and living in the United States to network, foster personal relations, discuss achievements and prospects, and keep the idea of "homecoming" or at least that of brain-circulation with links to Hungary alive.
 

Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi opens the Forum

This year’s forum also had a more specific focus, research commercialization, or the notion that applied research and development results increasingly need to be transformed into economic growth, especially through knowledge-based start-up and spin-off small enterprises.  In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi stated that Hungarian science has always been outstanding and internationally accepted, its linkages to industry, however, as well as its ability to churn out commercial ventures, are still rather limited.  This is just one of the issues in which Hungary could learn a lot from its experienced returnees.

Charles W. Wessner

Keynote speaker Charles W. Wessner, director of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the National Academy of Sciences, addressed the differences between the flexibility of scientific career paths, open staffing policies of universities and the liberal labor market for small enterprises on both sides of the Atlantic.  He reiterated that these and the culture of academic prestige prevailing over business success are key factors in economic growth.
 

Astrid-Christina Koch

In the next two presentations, science and technology counselors of the French Embassy – Michel Israel – and of the Delegation of the European Commission in Washington – Astrid-Christina Koch – both outlined their respective institution’s programs for encouraging the return of US-educated/employed European researchers to start small, technology intensive businesses using their scientific talent and American experience and contacts.  The audience had the opportunity to learn about a specific French program designed to call for and invite young professionals with project ideas to tour various centers of innovative excellence in France once a year, while Ms. Koch reminded us how important it is to stay connected to Europe with the help of ERA-NET links.

Right to left: Norbert Babcsán, Zsombor Lacza and Balázs Erdei

In the second session, Norbert Babcsán, representing the Bay Zoltán Foundation for Applied Research, and Zsombor Lacza from Semmelweis Innovations, a technology transfer facilitator firm of Semmelweis University (Budapest) introduced their organizations, outlined the challenges faced by various associations of young Hungarian scientists to attract talents home and to promote the homecoming of cutting-edge technology projects.  They both highlighted the need for Hungary to be able to accommodate those bright minds who plan on returning and to stay open and receptive for innovative ideas from all over the world.
 

A group of attendees and speakers of the 6^th Homecoming Forum

János Nacsa, an HIV/AIDS researcher with years of U.S. experience, concluded by remarking on his own and several other fellow scientists’ prospects of returning to a professional career in Hungary.  These everyday case studies and the previous presentations were well received and commented by the more than fifty-member audience made up of young Hungarian professionals from across the United States.  After lunch, conference language turned Hungarian, the floor was open to constructive suggestions and frank questions, while in the evening the day's activities were capped off by a reception at the Kossuth House.