Hungarian universities defend autonomy, condemn EU decision on Erasmus+ exclusion

Six Hungarian universities on Wednesday expressed support for Hungary’s higher education model based on the opportunity given to universities to be run by foundations rather than directly by the state, saying that the European Commission had ignored powerful arguments made for the past two years that the changes had not at all compromised the autonomy of universities.

Referring to a recent European Commission decision to maintain the status quo locking students of Hungarian universities run by foundations from the Erasmus+ and Horizon programmes, the universities said in a statement that the commission was uninterested in pursuing dialogue.

The statement by Semmelweis, Óbuda and Veterinary Science universities of Budapest, and the universities of Debrecen, Miskolc, and Dunaújváros said the EC decision was “aimed at putting pressure on Hungary … involving students and researchers of 21 universities in a political conflict”.

The students and researchers “are suffering unjust discrimination”, the statement said, adding that the procedure breached the EU’s fundamental principles stipulating equal treatment and scientific freedoms.

“The EC’s problems with the Hungarian government … have nothing to do with Hungarian universities,” the statement said. “We are convinced that the European Commission and Council’s concerns against the government of Hungary in connection with the rule of law cannot be legitimately used as an excuse to interfere with the integrity of Hungarian universities and to grievously punish researchers and students,” it added.

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