An agricultural education program of historical significance has reached a major milestone at the University of Debrecen (UD). Four years after signing a cooperation agreement with South Dakota State University (SDSU), the two institutions are celebrating the success of their joint bachelor’s degree program in Precision Agricultural Engineering.
The cooperation agreement, built on nearly twenty years of preparatory work at UD, led to the launch of the bachelor’s program in 2023 at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science and Environmental Management. The program is unique in Europe, as it is based entirely on precision agricultural technologies and has been accredited in both Hungarian and English.
Speaking at the scholarship award ceremony held at the Böszörményi út campus, Vice Rector for Agricultural and Food Science Development Endre Harsányi emphasized the international significance of the program. He highlighted that students benefit from a truly global educational experience through mutual recognition of qualifications between the partner institutions.
Rector Zoltán Szilvássy described the initiative as a historic achievement in Hungarian agricultural higher education. “This is the first time that a joint degree will be awarded together with a North American university in the crucial field of precision agriculture,” he said. The rector also noted that the program is supported by a classic quadruple helix model, involving the university, the Chamber of Agriculture, state organizations, and corporate partners.
Over recent years, the partnership between UD and SDSU has grown steadily. Hungarian lecturers have participated in study visits to the United States, and in autumn 2023 several Debrecen students completed extended professional internships at SDSU.
Chancellor Zoltán Bács underlined the responsibility of students in strengthening the international partnership. He noted that the success of the cooperation will largely be assessed through the students’ academic performance.
Vice President of the Hungarian Parliament István Jakab stressed the growing importance of science and innovation in addressing the challenges facing agriculture. He highlighted the need for highly trained professionals who can return home with new knowledge and contribute to Hungary’s agricultural sector.
According to the program structure, students complete their first three semesters in Debrecen, followed by the fourth and fifth semesters at SDSU—either online or in the United States—before returning to Debrecen for the final semesters. Upon successful completion, graduates receive two degrees: a BSc in Precision Agricultural Engineering from the University of Debrecen and a BSc in Precision Agriculture from South Dakota State University.
The scholarship program enables students to gain valuable international experience, strengthening the long-term development of Hungarian agriculture.
Zsolt György Papp, President of the National Chamber of Agriculture, encouraged students to excel in their studies, emphasizing the growing global challenges such as climate change, drought, and agricultural crises. He noted that the agricultural sector will look to these graduates with confidence and high expectations.
The four scholarship recipients — Csenge Tarjányi, Angéla Kovács, Ákos Bíró, and Ádám Hosszú — were selected with the assistance of SDSU instructor Michael Gonda and department head Tamás Rátonyi. The scholarships were awarded by representatives of the University of Debrecen, the National Chamber of Agriculture, and supporting companies TRANZIT-KER Zrt. and Balmaz-Sütőde Kft.
Press Center – TB
University of Debrecen
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