Interview with Dr. Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs & Strategic Relations, Széchenyi István University
As Győr and Budapest prepare to host the QS Higher Education Summit Europe we spoke with Dr. Eszter Lukács about what Hungary’s growing international presence in higher education means for students, employers, and the country’s future.
Hungary is hosting the QS Higher Education Summit Europe this year. What does this say about the country’s place in European higher education.
Dr. Lukács: Hungarian higher education is becoming an increasingly influential player on the international stage. The reputation of our universities continues to strengthen, while prestigious events such as the QS Higher Ed Europe Summit contribute significantly to the expansion of our global network of connections. It is an exceptional opportunity for us to host this event, which has already attracted nearly three hundred registered participants from numerous countries around the world. A particular highlight of this year’s summit is that the opening day will be hosted at our University’s main campus in Győr. During the Advanced Business Skills Forum, participants will have the opportunity to hear, among others, the Chairman of the Board of Audi Hungaria, a company with German ownership that has maintained a close partnership with our institution for thirty years. Mr Michael Breme will deliver a keynote speech during the programme. We are therefore especially pleased that almost sixty representatives of German universities have already registered for the summit.
All of this demonstrates that Hungary is an integral part of the European Higher Education Area and an attractive destination for international students. We are confident that the summit will not only support the expansion of mobility programmes and double-degree opportunities, but will also encourage the development of new research collaborations and partnership networks. The anticipated reopening of Horizon and Erasmus funding opportunities for Hungary is also likely to provide considerable momentum in this regard.
Why is it significant that Győr and Budapest are the host cities, and what does it mean for Széchenyi István University.
Dr. Lukács: It is a great honour to follow in the footsteps of remarkable cities such as Porto and Barcelona. Many European capitals and major cities would welcome the opportunity to host such an event, which makes it particularly meaningful that both Budapest and Győr have been selected to host parts of the programme.
The Advanced Business Skills Forum, taking place on the first day, is particularly significant due to our university’s third mission activities and its extensive business partnerships. For years, Széchenyi István University has been one of Hungary’s strongest performers in the QS World University Rankings based on employer reputation votes, and we therefore considered it important to showcase these partnerships to the summit’s international audience. We are especially pleased that the programme in Győr will be opened by Nunzio Quacquarelli, Founder and President of QS. In his presentation, he will demonstrate, drawing on QS’s exceptionally comprehensive database, the skills and competencies that students in higher education will need both today and over the next twenty years in order to perform valuable, impactful, and highly sought-after work in industry. As I mentioned earlier, the forum’s keynote address will be delivered by the Chairman of the Board of Audi Hungaria in Győr. Participants will also have the opportunity to hear from several distinguished Hungarian and international representatives of the defence, innovation, and information technology sectors, including the Managing Director of Nurol Makina Hungary and the Head of TATRA Export from Czechia.
Although the main campus of Széchenyi István University is located in Győr—less than 80 miles from Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest—our institution also maintains educational and innovation centres in Budapest, in addition to Mosonmagyaróvár and Zalaegerszeg. Budapest is therefore not only one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals and one of the continent’s most popular student destinations, but also one of the centres of our postgraduate and doctoral programmes that are open to international students.
When we talk about Hungarian universities “going global,” what are the most tangible benefits for Hungarian students. Are global partnerships changing the kinds of programmes or opportunities Hungarian students can access.
Dr. Lukács: The growing international visibility of Hungarian higher education is opening up new horizons for students. World-leading institutions are becoming accessible to them, while expanding partnership networks allow them to participate in research collaborations and gain international experience that significantly enhances their competitiveness in the labour market.
Events such as the QS Higher Ed Europe Summit provide excellent opportunities for universities to connect with one another, establish educational partnerships and even launch double-degree programmes. One of the greatest advantages of such programmes is that, thanks to synchronised curricula, students can earn degrees from two universities within the same period of study.
For students studying in Hungary who choose to undertake part of their studies abroad, the Europe-focused Erasmus Programme has traditionally been available for many years. For students at universities maintained by a foundation, the Pannonia Scholarship Programme offers an outstanding opportunity. Uniquely, it provides mobility support not only for European institutions but for destinations anywhere in the world. An additional feature is that students who choose one of the top 250 universities in the QS World University Rankings receive supplementary financial support on top of their basic scholarship. As a result, not only have Hungarian higher education institutions become more visible internationally, but Hungarian students are also able to represent their country at some of the world’s leading universities. For example, students of Széchenyi István University have studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, the University of Bologna, as well as at numerous other highly prestigious institutions around the world.
It is important to emphasise that a Hungarian degree now represents considerable value within the international higher education landscape. Based on our achievements in global rankings, leading universities around the world clearly recognise that our students possess a high level of knowledge and significant practical experience, and they are therefore pleased to welcome them into their master’s and postgraduate programmes. Being a Hungarian university student today means having countless doors open before you, with higher education institutions providing the key to unlock them.
How does internationalisation help strengthen the local job market, especially in regions like Győr with strong industry links.
Dr. Lukács: As I mentioned earlier, the opening day of the conference will feature a keynote speech by Michael Breme, Chairman of the Board of Audi Hungaria, which operates a vehicle plant, engine plant, development centre and service centre in Győr. We are talking about a company where approximately fifty per cent of employees in engineering, business and legal positions are graduates of Széchenyi István University. This clearly demonstrates the important role our institution plays in ensuring a high-quality supply of skilled professionals for the regional labour market.
Our international community comprises nearly 1500 students from ninety countries. According to our research, approximately 85 per cent of them return to their home countries after graduation, where they typically secure highly prestigious positions. We regard this as a significant recognition, as they help spread the reputation of Hungarian higher education and play an important role in the soft diplomacy between our countries. Moreover, in the case of developing nations, our successful alumni can indirectly contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries. Naturally, we are equally proud when one of our students chooses to make Hungary their home. One such example is Amandeep Singh, one of our Indian alumni, who will participate in a panel discussion at the summit and now works as an engineer at Audi Hungaria.
What themes at this year’s Summit feel most relevant to Hungary’s future workforce and innovation goals.
Dr. Lukács: As I have already indicated, the Advanced Business Skills Forum in Győr, which focuses on corporate partnerships and the future responsibilities of higher education, is of great importance to Széchenyi István University. In this context, I would also highlight the third-day session and panel discussion entitled The Strategic Role of Higher Education in Government Industrial Strategy, featuring, among others, Nunzio Quacquarelli, as well as the programme Degrees, Skills & Sustainability: What Employers Will Value by 2030.
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Because the panel focusing on international accreditation processes addresses one of the most pressing challenges currently facing Hungarian institutions, I would strongly recommend attending the plenary session Quality Assurance in Higher Education and International Accreditation. The panel discussion Employability or Illusion? How Universities Must Sell the Dream of a Great Career also promises valuable insights, and I am particularly looking forward to the workshop Building Innovators in the Age of AI, which explores the increasingly unavoidable topic of artificial intelligence. Over the course of the three days, numerous issues directly connected to the future of Hungarian higher education and the labour market will be discussed. I am confident that participants will return home with many valuable experiences and new ideas.
Looking ahead, what does Hungary need to do to stay competitive in the international higher‑education landscape.
Dr. Lukács: We have two key tasks for the future. The first is to strengthen our international reputation, which can be achieved through greater participation in global research networks and through prestigious international events such as the QS Higher Ed Summit Europe. The second key area is increasing the visibility of our scientific performance. Although Hungarian universities have made significant progress in recent years, it remains important to improve publication and citation performance and to showcase research outcomes resulting from international collaborations as widely as possible. This is fundamentally important for further strengthening Hungary’s scientific influence and international visibility.
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