The University of Debrecen has signed a sponsorship agreement with Schaeffler. University students are building an electric car, with plans to compete in the Formula Student series next year. The German company, which manufactures bearings and automotive electronic systems in Debrecen, will serve as the main sponsor for the UD Formula Student team.
The DEAC Formula Racing team was formed last year by students from the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Technology, and Faculty of Economics. Their goal is to build an electric race car and participate for the first time in the Formula Student series in 2027. Preparations are progressing well.
Formula Student, which began in the United States in 1981, is an international series of car competitions for university and college teams. Participating teams not only design and build single-seat vehicles, but also develop a business plan for the car and secure the necessary funding. Each year, nearly 400 universities with around 600 teams—a total of 12,000 students—participate worldwide.
The University of Debrecen plans to involve multiple sponsors in building its car, with Schaeffler Debrecen joining first as a platinum-level supporter.
At the announcement, Zoltán Bács, Chancellor of the University, noted that over the past 10–15 years, both the world and Debrecen’s industry have increasingly focused on electric vehicle development:
“The University of Debrecen is also taking part in this, which is one of our key focus areas. For example, the Faculty of Informatics is involved in research on autonomous vehicles, while the Faculty of Engineering has made significant progress in automotive-related programs. These developments now allow us to announce a Formula Student car,” said the university leader.
The Chancellor expressed hope for the team’s success, adding that the university is already proud of the students involved.
Péter Szabó, Director of the Schaeffler Debrecen Campus, highlighted that the company’s relationship with the university spans nearly a decade. Schaeffler participates in dual education programs and offers internships for students.
“It is very important for our company to work with talented young people who can demonstrate their professional knowledge and skills through this project. This initiative fully aligns with our vision, which is why we support it,” explained Szabó.
Over the past decade, numerous automotive companies have established a presence in Debrecen, spurring further development. This includes the new Faculty of Engineering complex on Virág Street and the Rugó Street Vehicle Laboratory, according to Lajos Barcsa, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen.
“It is important that companies like Schaeffler invest in the next generation. The Formula Student competition is valuable because designing, building, and managing a car requires engineering knowledge, giving participants competitive skills and networking opportunities that can benefit their careers,” Barcsa emphasized.
Géza Husi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, stressed that the main priority is to complete the University of Debrecen’s Formula Student car in time for next year’s competition, meet technical requirements, and be allowed on the track. He noted that the car’s finishing time or ranking will initially be secondary.
Following the announcement, a roundtable discussion was held on the role of artificial intelligence in the automotive industry, featuring Gábor Kozma, Deputy Dean for Education at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Mónika Rákos, Deputy Dean for Education at the Faculty of Economics, and László Mészáros, Assistant Lecturer at the Faculty of Informatics.
(unideb.hu)
