Several resolutions concerning the future of the research network of the Academy passed with an overwhelming majority (approximately 90 percent) during the extraordinary General Assembly on 6 December. The main decision making body of the Academy also declared its unconditional support for president Lovász. Furthermore, they requested the Minister of Innovation and Technology to put the budget of the research network for the first quarter of 2019 at the Academy’s disposal.

The 190th, extraordinary General Assembly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences took place in the Palace of the Academy on 6 December 2018. At first, president László Lovász, reported on the most important events of the past months. The representatives of the General Assembly had been given a detailed account on this topic beforehand.

We shall provide a detailed report on this General Assembly soon. For the time being, we will be presenting the most important resolutions, which passed with approximately 90 percent support from the main decision making body of the Academy.

After the President’s speech, Szilveszter Vizi E., former President of the Academy suggested that the Academy’s General Assembly acknowledge and show gratitude for László Lovász’s efforts to save the integrity of the Academy and the research network. He also provided his full support to the president.

President László Lovász mta.hu/Tamás Szigeti

Below we are providing the draft resolutions presented to the General Assembly by the Presidium of the MTA together with the results.

Resolution 10/2018. (XII. 6) of the General Assembly

“Long term predictability and guarantees are essential conditions for successful scientific research. Thus, the General Assembly requires that the basic support of research centres that are approved through the screening of the extended outer advisory bodies (KTT) should be guaranteed.

Structural changes to the research network are only acceptable for the MTA if scientific analysis proves that the restructuring serves the interest of the entire Hungarian scientific community.”

Resolution 11/2018. (XII. 6) of the General Assembly

“The General assembly accepts the report on the work of the Scientific Presidential Committee of the Research Network (KTEB), and supports the resolutions of the Committee. The General Assembly requests the Minister of the ITM to open the budget of the research network for the first quarter of 2019 complying with the deadlines prescribed by applicable legislation and make it fully available for the academic research network.”

The resolutions passed by the Scientific Presidential Committee of the Research Network (KTEB) on 16 November 2018 and the list of Committee members are available on this page.

Resolution 12/2018. (XII. 6) of the General Assembly

“The document entitled MTA’s strategic proposal for the revision of the Hungarian innovation system bearing in mind ITM’s preliminary proposal was presented to the General Assembly. The General Assembly accepts this proposal. The General Assembly requests the elected executives of the MTA that in line with this proposal, they should continue negotiations with the members of the Government. The General Assembly requests the Presidium to support the negotiations with their resolutions.”

Despite previously agreeing to attend and hold a joint press conference, minister László Palkovics decided not to participate at the General Assembly. Instead, he sent a letter, which, on his request, was read out to the General Assembly. The letter was also presented to the participants of the press conference held by the minister at 11 a.m., 6 December.

Based on the resolution of the General Assembly, the Presidium of the MTA (i.e. the main decision making body of the Academy between two General Assemblies) will send a detailed reply to the Minister.

Please click here to see our gallery of the extraordinary General Assembly.