Erasmus, Horizon programs returns to Hungarian universities?

The minister of culture and innovation said on Friday that he had held consultation talks in Brussels about the relaunch of the Erasmus and Horizon programmes in Hungary because it was an obligation “to raise our voice for the success of Hungarian youth”.

Hankó told the press after a conference he had attended on European models and Hungarian experiences in science and innovation that he had held two meetings during the day that focused on education and employment.

He said he had held talks with Markus Schulte, cabinet chief of Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, and Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Mario Nava, and informed them that a bill on renewed Hungarian institutions following a model change had been submitted to parliament.

Students at Semmelweis University. Photo: FB/Semmelweis

The bill includes regulations, already sent to the European Commission in November 2023, on conflicts of interest of board members and the one-year cooling off period, as well as the board members’ eligibility for two six-year terms, he said.

The two items not included in the bill concern the removal of rectors and university teachers from the boards, and NGOs making proposals on the selection of board members, he said, adding that “these go against our sovereignty and academic freedom”.

He expressed hope that with the help of the bill, the Hungarian government would achieve the discontinuation of a ban on Hungarian youth in Erasmus and researchers in Horizon.

Hungary, Serbia strategic partners, says Hankó

Hungary and Serbia are strategic allies, on a national level as well as in the areas innovation, science and culture, Balázs Hankó, the culture and innovation minister, said after talks with Serbian innovation minister Jelena Begovic and culture minister Nikola Selakovic in Belgrade on Thursday.

Begovic and Hankó agreed on setting up a Hungarian-Serbian innovation fund to promote university research on healthy living, the green transition and digitalisation. They also said they would strengthen ties between Hungarian and Serbian universities, and cooperate on building a BIO4 Campus in Belgrade “which is in line with Hungary’s science park model” based on joint research between universities, SMEs and corporations, he said.

Hungary and Serbia will also promote cooperation between young teachers and students through the Hungarian Pannonia Programme, Hankó said.

Meanwhile, Hankó and Selakovic agreed to launch a Hungarian-Serbian cultural season next year, showcasing both countries’ traditions in Hungary in the autumn of 2025 and in Serbia in spring 2026, he said.

Hankó also attended the Biotech Future Forum conference on biotechnology and AI, and held a speech on the progress of innovation in Hungary, and on the importance of the ethical use of AI in research.

Read also:

• Students from 21 Hungarian universities excluded from Erasmus? – read more HERE
• Orbán cabinet: Brussels must stop freezing Hungarian universities out of Erasmus, Horizon