Can Hungarian higher education set an example for other countries?

The transfer of several Hungarian universities from the state to foundations is a model that other countries may follow, Mihály Varga, the finance minister, said on Tuesday, after talks with Luis Sanz, head of the advisory board of the International Association of Scientific Parks.

Varga said the Hungarian government “succeeded in linking Hungarian universities to the bloodstream of the economy, multiplying opportunities for cooperation and business ties.”

By 2030, the government wants to see universities playing a key role in meeting the country’s strategic objectives, the minister said, adding that Hungary’s 14 scientific and innovation parks would be instrumental in linking universities with the local and national economic environment.

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Varga called Budapest’s Óbuda University “one of the greatest and most popular universities” in Hungary, with 12,000 students at its 7 faculties teaching one third of the country’s young engineers. Ever since the university has been run by a foundation, its budget for operations and developments has increased two-and-a-half fold, while teachers have benefitted from an unprecedented pay hike, Varga said, noting also that in international comparison Óbuda was considered “the best Hungarian university in IT and technical areas”.

Source: MTI

3 Comments

  1. Foundation will become a by word for free money for former politicians and friends and family of the for mentioned for life all most like a pension and you haven’t reached retirement age. People should be outraged with this blatant free hand out.

  2. So. The running of public education to foundations… Who runs these foundations? Who are on the supervisory boards of the foundations (not Politicians or their toadies, surely!), and who disburses funds to these foundations?

    I believe any EU jurisdiction would find the governance implications and the potential for political meddling insurmountable.

  3. DANGEROUS and WRONGFUL – use of his mouth, the words he speaks, that are just FULL of Orban/Fidesz – PROPAGANDA and discreditable by Mihaly Varga.
    EDUCATION – the entire componentry of it in Hungary is a SHAMBLES.
    The BLAME of the SHAMBLES solely rests on the Orban Government.
    This decision AGAIN, the WANT of Orban/Fidesz like the Media, the Judiciary – they WANT to Rule it.
    Disgusting – this “Crazy” decision, that just CLOSES doors on Education in Hungary rather than OPENING Windows of OPPORTUNITY.
    SOLIDARITY – that WILL win the day – in Hungary, in this EDUCATION mess we Factually have.
    Democracy – the POWER if used by Citizens correctly, the rightfulness it provides in the SHAMING on-going the likes of Mihaly Varga and this Orban Government.
    Let our RIGHTS be ELEVATED – voiced to a Higher Platform – in our messaging which is Citizens Rights under DEMOCRACY.
    Hungary – the BIG picture, the examination of our FUTURE – what is it ???

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