Within the scope of a research project carried out by the National Institute of Vocational and Adult Education in 2008, I led a research group examining the conditions of VET research and adult education research in Hungary between 2000 and 2007.

Background to the research issue:

A permanent question is emerging related to the low prestige of VET research and the low participation rate of CEE countries at ECER (and HRD) conferencies, namely: how this contribution to European VET research should be increased? While HRD is an academic subject, VET is not or much less academic subject in many CEE countries. Certain spheres of research are still missing, f.e. some theoretical subjects of VET. (Manning, S. 2006)

Thinking about the similarities and differencies of VET research in old and new EU countries, we found fragmentedinterests and ‘emergency’ type VET research, more applied/operational research than theoretical/fundamental one, VET research with less prestige than HRD research, and - because of the gap between cultures and economic/social context - some research questions not being relevant at the same degree in CEE countries. (Voicu, L.- Loogma, K.- Benke, M. 2007)

In order to get closer to the answer, it is necessary to study the circumstances behind the drafted situation. A clear and objective picture on the relevant country’s VET research’s conditions is, of course, essential. My proposal is based on the summary of research had focused on the Hungarian case in the given topic. 

 The purpose of our examination was to give a clear picture on the main directions and also the determinative conditions of implementation of Hungarian VET and adult education research projects had been done in the given time. Our research focused on nine thematic areas and was based on literature review, which was selective and purposeful. We set up the following thematic areas:

-         The effect of the changing structure of economy on VET

-         Financing VET and adult education

-         The learning opportunities of students at a disadvantage

-         Work-related learning, work-place learning

-         Social partnership related to VET

-         The regional dimension of VET

-         Modular curriculum development, formal and informal learning, e-learning

-         Lifelong learning

-         Training of teachers and trainers

We were looking for answers several questions. We were studying if the examined research projects (behind the literature)

-         were connected to development

-         were primary researches

-         were based mostly on empiric or theory

-         focused on theoretical or methodological questions

-         were based on national and international literature

-         suggested to adapt the output of foreign research projects

-         can be considered as innovation

-         included suggestions for utilizing the results of the research

-         composed the wish for making further research in the future

-         fit in to the trend of the European VET research

-         were part of international co-operation

-         have been presented to national and international conferences.

We aimed to search the financial and the professional back-ground of the searched projects, as well.

Cedefop (2006): ERO National Research Report Hungary Manning, Sabine (2006): Mapping HRD and VET research across Europe; A round table discussion on diverse patterns and common concerns; Theses, figures and questions for discussion, HRD Conference Tilburg Benke, Magdolna (2006) Contribution to the round table discussion on ’Mapping HRD and VET research across Europe’, HRD Conference Tilburg Benke, Magdolna - Loogma, Krista – Voicu, Liliana (2007): New comers – new opportunities to contribute, Defining questions on the integration; Presented to the VETNET Forum, ECER conference, Ghent Benke, Magdolna (2007): Circumstances as main tensions affecting communication in international research and development projects, presented to the ASO (Austrian Science and Research Liason Office in Brno) Seminar on ‘Communication in International Research and Development Projects’ in Vienna OECD (2008): OECD/CERI Systemic Innovation in the Hungarian VET System Country Case Study Report Benke, Magdolna (2008) Regionális szakképzési kutatások üzenete, Szakképzési Szemle, 2008/4, 293-327 o. (The messages of regional vocational education research, Vocational Training Review, 2008/4, 293-327 p.) Benke, Magdolna (2008) Összegző vizsgálat a hazai szak- és felnőttképzési kutatások és fejlesztések helyzetéről, Felnőttképzés, 2008/4, 6-11 o. (Summary study on the conditions of research and development of vocational and adult education in Hungary, Adult Education, 2008/4, 6-11 p.) Benke, Magdolna (2009): Gondolatok hazai szakképzési és felnőttképzési kutatások olvasása közben, Szakképzési Szemle 2009/2, 189-215 p.) (Thoughts while reading the results of national VET and adult education research projects; Vocational Training Review, 2009/2, 189-215 p.).