Hungary’s medical universities free to decide on operational model?

Hungary’s medical universities are free to decide whether they want to shift from being state-run to being operated by foundations, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (ITM) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ministry said László Palkovics, the minister, held talks with the leaders of four medical and health science universities earlier in the day on the possibility of their shifting to the new operational model.

The advantage provided by the new mode of financing introduced at eight higher education institutions so far and set to be introduced at two others is that it allows the universities to operate under a more flexible structure while guaranteeing students a modern educational experience that will give them knowledge that is competitive on the job market, the ministry said.

The government’s aim with the new model is to boost the competitiveness of Hungary’s higher education institutions, it added.

The ministry said it was timing its consultations with universities on their strategic and development plans to coincide with the start of the new European Union funding cycle, offering them a chance to shift to the new operational model.

The ministry cited Palkovics as emphasising at the meeting that

medical universities would only be put on a new operational footing if they specifically ask for it.

The rectors assured the minister that they would soon notify the ministry of the decisions made by their respective senates.

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Source: MTI