Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Head of the Hungarian Academy of Science József Pálinkás and Rolf-Dieter Heuer, Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), inaugurated the new CERN data centre, realised within the Wigner Research Centre for Physics.

The Prime Minister stated in his speech that research and development programs offer a promising future to Hungary. The present and future of Hungarian academic life are also becoming more and more promising, he said, adding that there is a good chance that following the reform in 2010, the education system will be capable of raising young scholars, who will be able to hold their own in the highest level international research programs.

Hungary is performing better, the Prime Minister emphasised, making it capable of creating the necessary circumstances and preconditions for modern scientific research and thus keeping talented scholars in the country. He praised Hungary’s researchers such as Ede Teller, Jenő Wigner and János Neumann, adding that even though the country can be proud of their achievements, it is sad that due to the country’s difficult historical circumstances they were unable realise their careers at home.

Prime Minister Orbán highlighted that Hungary won the CERN tender due to the country’s excellent geographical position, stable IT and communications infrastructure and highly qualified workforce. The establishment of this data centre is the result of cooperation between the Hungarian Government and the Wigner Research Centre, he added. The Prime Minister also accepted an invitation to CERN’s headquarters in Geneva.

Head of the Hungarian Science Academy József Pálinkás said that the 2,000 square-metre facility was built during the course of one year with Hungarian Government co-financing of 8.5 billion forints. The computers to be installed here will process data sent from CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland.

The opening event was also attended by CERN director general Rolf-Dieter Heuer, who stated that CERN has two hearts; one in Switzerland and now one in Hungary. The Wigner Research Centre was selected from nine applicants, due to its highly qualified experts, the short deadline undertaken and its innovative approach.

(Prime Minister's Office)