On January 29, 2026, Chongqing University and the University of Debrecen (Hungary) held an online preparatory meeting for the 2026 Presidents Roundtable Forum and the Fourth Council Meeting of the University Network for Research Collaboration: A Belt and Road Science and Technology Initiative (iUNRC). Li Jian, Secretary-General of the iUNRC and Vice President of Chongqing University, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Attendees included Zoltán Szilvássy, Rector of the University of Debrecen; Károly Pető, Vice Rector on General Affairs; Okszána Kiszil, Director for Coordination and Strategic Affairs; Xie Hui, Deputy Secretary-General of the iUNRC, Vice Director of the Office of International Affairs, Vice Dean of the Institute of Scientific Research and Development, Chongqing University; as well as representatives from the Institute of Scientific Research and Development and the Office of International Affairs.

As the current Co-chair of the iUNRC, the University of Debrecen will host the 2026 iUNRC President Roundtable Forum and the Fourth Council Meeting. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on various key matters regarding the preparation of the meeting and reached preliminary consensus. It was decided that the meeting will be formally held in late April; the theme of the President Roundtable Forum and the agenda of the Council Meeting were preliminarily discussed, taking into account the scientific and technological innovation needs of the Belt and Road Initiative and current hot topics in international higher education cooperation; the division of preparatory responsibilities between Chongqing University and the University of Debrecen was refined; a regular biweekly progress meeting mechanism was established; and matters related to the admission of new members were discussed, including exchanging views on membership criteria and application procedures.

Li Jian expressed gratitude for the strong support from the University of Debrecen. He stated that the 2026 iUNRC President Roundtable Forum and the Fourth Council Meeting serve as an important annual platform for exchange and cooperation within the iUNRC, holding significant meaning for deepening scientific and technological collaboration, talent cultivation, and cultural exchanges among universities in Belt and Road partner countries. Chongqing University will attach great importance to the preparatory work for this meeting, strictly adhere to the agreed-upon division of responsibilities and timeline, go all out in ensuring all tasks are well-prepared, strengthen coordination with the University of Debrecen, and ensure that the meeting is organized with high standards and effectiveness.

Zoltán Szilvássy stated that the University of Debrecen will actively cooperate with Chongqing University in the preparatory work, enhance communication and collaboration between the two sides, and efficiently advance all preparatory tasks to ensure their successful implementation. He expressed hope that the meeting would further consolidate consensus within the iUNRC, deepen multilateral cooperation, promote scientific and technological exchanges and industry-university-research collaboration between Chinese and Hungarian universities, and inject enduring momentum into the friendly bilateral cooperation between China and Hungary in the fields of education and technology.