Among the Best in the World: Széchenyi István University advances in THE Impact Rankings
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Széchenyi István University has for the fifth time secured its place among the world’s top universities, advancing to the 601-800 range on the Times Higher Education (THE) list. This prestigious international ranking organization assesses universities based on their contributions to sustainability and their economic and social impacts. Notably, the University is now among the top 200 globally in the “Sustainable Cities and Communities” category.
Széchenyi István University aims to contribute to a liveable future through its education, research, and activities related to sustainability. This achievement is highlighted by its consistent presence in the THE Impact Rankings for the fifth consecutive year. The rankings evaluate higher education institutions worldwide based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
In the latest list published on 12 June, the University of Győr is ranked 601-800, a significant improvement from last year’s ranking of 801-1000. The institution is ranked fourth best in Hungary, with only University of Debrecen, the University of Szeged and Eötvös Loránd University ahead.
Within this ranking, the institution is now among the top 200 globally in the “Sustainable Cities and Communities” category, which examines resource management and the role of universities in preserving and maintaining community heritage, as well as mapping their sustainability-related research and practices. Additionally, the University has made substantial progress in the “Partnerships for the Goals” category, moving up to the 301-400 range from last year’s 801-1000. The institution is also in the top 400 for both “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, which scrutinizes its role as an economic growth driver and its employer responsibility, as well as for “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions”.
“The greatest challenge and most important goal of the 21st century is contributing to sustainability. THE’s ranking measures university performance in this area based on objective indicators. Our current ranking confirms that our high-quality activities significantly support the economic and social development of the region, always considering sustainability. Moreover, we’ve managed to advance in an increasingly competitive environment, as the number of universities on the list has grown significantly over the years, now exceeding two thousand. Over 80 percent of students worldwide consider an institution’s sustainability contributions when choosing where to study, indicating that this factor is crucial not only for businesses,” said Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations and Head of the Sustainability Competence Centre at Széchenyi István University. She added that the ranking list’s creators also consider publications on sustainability by searching for keywords related to each SDG in the Scopus database to determine universities’ scientific performance concerning each goal.
“We are proud of this achievement, which is a shared success of all our colleagues who perform quality work. This underscores that our University belongs to the elite of international higher education in terms of commitment to sustainability. We strive to continue contributing significantly to societal well-being and development through our research and innovations,” emphasized Dr Bálint Filep, President of Széchenyi István University.
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New research reveals the cost of international education in Europe in 2023
International Schools Database has compared the cost of international schools in 2023.
The key findings of the research are the following:
- Budapest sets the average in prices in Europe for international schools: 14th out of 31 cities.
- Eastern Europe’s reputation as a cheaper part of the continent does not hold up when it comes to international school fees. 6 of the 8 Eastern European cities in the research have median prices of over $10,000 per year.
- Some major European capital cities are lower in the price rankings than you may expect. Rome, Berlin, Madrid, and Amsterdam all feature in the lower half of the price scale.
- Switzerland continues to be significantly more expensive than the rest of Europe for international schooling. Median prices in Swiss cities are a minimum of 16% higher than any other European city included in the research.
In 2022, the International Schools Database saw an Eastern European city – Latvia’s capital, Riga – enter the top 10 most expensive cities for international schooling for the first time. This reveals something most people may not realise – that Eastern Europe is not all that cheap when it comes to international school fees.
Of the 8 Eastern European cities included in the research in 2023, 6 of them fall within the top 20 most expensive. They are Riga, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw. Only Vilnius and Sofia are positioned in the bottom 10. To put this in context, the median price in Riga stands at $18,165 per year, while in Sofia it is significantly less at $7,560 per year.
On the other side of the coin, some very well-known European capitals are much further down in the rankings than you may expect. Rome in Italy, Berlin in Germany, Madrid in Spain, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands are all in the bottom half of our rankings with median prices of $11,508, $11,225, $9,409 and $6,429 per year respectively. Of these cities, Rome is the highest ranked 16th of 31 cities.
Since the research began Switzerland has always been the most expensive country in Europe for international schooling, and it has also been among the most expensive in the world. Nothing has changed in 2023. The top 3 most expensive cities in Europe are all located in Switzerland – Zurich – Zug (median price $30,701), Lausanne – Vaud (median price $17,271) and Geneva (median price $26,553).
What is becoming more clear, however, is just how significant the difference is between prices in Switzerland and the rest of Europe. For example, London is the most expensive non-Swiss city in the list with a median price of $22,725 per year. That means there is a minimum of 16% difference between London and the Swiss cities when median prices are compared. As we go further down the list of cities, this difference becomes bigger and bigger.
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CEU to close its door for good in Budapest
On Thursday, the CEU informed its former students that the university council will initiate the revocation of the Central European University’s licence. Simultaneously, research institutes in Budapest will remain operational, and non-degree courses will be retained.
According to Népszava, the university council indicated in a letter to former students on Thursday that it would begin the process of revoking the institution’s licence. The Hungarian Academy Staff Forum wrote in a Facebook post, that this decision was justified by the fact that CEU has not admitted students to its Hungarian-accredited programmes for a long time, and therefore cannot operate as a university in the capital any longer.
“CEU has not accepted students into its Hungarian-accredited degree programmes for several years, and the last students enrolled in such programmes will graduate in July 2024. Therefore, CEU does not meet the conditions of a university in Budapest, and as such, our Board of Trustees has decided to initiate the closing of our Hungarian university entity, Közép-európai Egyetem, at the end of the academic year,” the post on social media stated. They also mentioned that the Orbán government’s efforts to expel the university from Budapest have succeeded, as CEU will cease its higher education activities in Hungary.
However, the research institutes in Budapest will remain, and other non-degree programmes will also be maintained. Népszava adds that the decision is understandable since neither American nor Hungarian education has been provided in Budapest for years, making it unreasonable to maintain an institution that does not offer such education from an institutional standpoint.
CEU decided to move most of its courses to Vienna
The university council had prepared a development plan for the future of CEU, proposing the permanent departure of the institution. Although a petition was launched against this move, it was unsuccessful. The accreditation of the US course was withdrawn earlier from the Budapest site, and now the Hungarian course accreditation is also being withdrawn.
The university was targeted by the Orbán government at the beginning of 2017, for political reasons, as part of the campaign against George Soros, with the amendment of the Higher Education Act. This amendment stipulated that a foreign higher education institution operating in Hungary must also provide education in its home country.
Although the institution signed a cooperation agreement with Bard College to start a course at the US-based institution of higher education in New York State, the Orbán government refused to recognise this. As a result, CEU decided to move its US-accredited courses from Budapest to Vienna.
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10 Best Universities in Hungary for International Students – Read here
Unprecedented: Orbán government can raise teachers’ wages only if the EU pays it?
Hungary has received a total 184 billion forints (EUR 478m) worth of EU funding to be used for a pay hike for kindergarten and school teachers, the finance minister said on Wednesday. Orbán cabinet can raise wages in education if the EU pays it?
Mihály Varga said 340 billion forints from central coffers had been used for the same purpose at the beginning of this year. Since last December, Brussels has released a total of 734 billion forints worth of funds withheld from Hungary before, Varga said on Facebook.
The Hungarian government has been widely criticized for not raising teachers’ wages from the state budget. Critics highlighted a government that cannot pay enough for their teachers should resign. Criticism added that the Orbán cabinet would buy the Budapest Airport instead of settling the severe financial problems of public education.
The Orbán cabinet regularly repeated there was not enough money to increase teachers’ wages. Only by using EU funds can they do so, which were frozen by the European Commission due to rule of law concerns. Furthermore, the Orbán cabinet is conducting a European parliamentary election campaign stating that the current leaders of the EU want to escalate the war in Ukraine while Hungary is interested in peace.
Read also:
- Troubling: teachers are disappearing from Hungary – Read more HERE
- Everything you should know about school holidays, important dates in Hungary
Featured image: teachers’ demonstration for higher wages. The banner says “There is no future without teachers”
School bomb threat in India: Threat sent from IP address linked to Budapest
According to a Delhi Police official, the bomb threat emails that reached around 150 schools in the Delhi-NCR region earlier this month are suspected to have been sent from Budapest.
According to NDTV, the case has caused a lot of confusion in educational institutions. The police have managed to trace the IP address of the emails to Budapest. The Delhi Police will soon contact their Hungary counterpart for further investigation.
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identification number assigned to every device connected to the Internet.
The threat, which rang alarm bells with security agencies, was later declared a hoax as nothing objectionable was found on school premises.
After reporting the case, the police wrote to the Russian-based mail service company “mail.ru” through Interpol.
The letter, allegedly sent from a mail.ru server, claimed that explosives had been planted on the school grounds, triggering a mass evacuation when panicked parents rushed to pick up their children on 1 May.
The police were investigating the IP address used to send the emails, as well as the sender and origin of the emails, to decipher the conspiracy and motive behind the panic-stricken Delhi-NCR-wide bomb scandal.
As we wrote earlier, the purchase of Wizz Air intercontinental aircraft will allow it to conquer India, Central Asia, and Africa, and Wizz plans to fly these routes in the future, details HERE.
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Featured picture: depositphotos.com
Troubling: teachers are disappearing from Hungary
According to the latest figures from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, the teaching profession in Hungary is ageing rapidly: there are hardly any young teachers entering the workforce, while the number of those over 60 is predominant in the field.
Népszava wrote about this alarming trend in the Hungarian education system, analysing new data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). According to KSH, a total of 72,514 teachers worked in primary schools in the 2023/2024 school year, of whom only 6.7 percent were under 30 years old, i.e., young professionals starting their careers.
Hungarian education faces a shortage of professionals with few new teachers entering the workforce
As DNH reported previously, Hungary’s public education system faces a considerable shortage of pedagogues. Last year, the president of the teachers’ union warned that over the next five years, a total of 22,000 employees are expected to be missing from the workforce.
In the 2023/2024 school year, the number of educators in the system plummeted to previously unseen lows. Only 145,589 teachers worked during the last school year, 1,610 fewer than a year before.
Moreover, last year, only 2231 new graduates started working at different levels of education, a fraction of those who had started the teacher training programme in years previous. This illustrates that there is a significant fall-off in the profession.
The biggest drop in the 2023/2024 schoolyear was recorded in the number of primary school teachers, especially among the younger age groups. In the past year, there were 4,852 primary school teachers aged 30 and under. Although this is slightly higher than last year (when 4,687 teachers were under 30), this increase is well below the rise in the proportion of older age groups in the profession.
The number of primary school teachers aged 40-44 has fallen from 10,023 to 9,298, and the number of educators aged 35-39 from 7,077 to 6,416 in the same year. There was also a slight decrease in the 30-34 age group, from 3,975 to 3,894. The wave of resignations in the past year has undoubtedly played a role in this, with many in these age groups saying no to the new law on teachers’ careers, the so-called “Status Act,” and the changes it entailed for professionals, according to representatives of the sector.
Photo: Pedagógusok Szakszervezete / FB
The teaching profession is an ageing sector in Hungary, with those over 60 highly overrepresented
The largest share of primary school teachers are aged 45-59, but even within this age group, most, a total of 13,744 people, fall in the 55-59 category. Comparably, there are roughly 11,500 teachers in both the 45-49 and 50-54 age ranges.
One of the most significant changes in the education system was seen in the number of older pedagogues who are close to or already over the age of retirement. The number of those aged 60-64 increased from 8,462 to 8,848, and the amount of teachers aged 64 and over rose from 1,577 to 2,171 in primary schools in one year. The latter figure represents a staggering 37.6 percent increase.
Overall, there were 11,019 full-time pedagogues aged 60 and over in primary schools last year, exactly 980 more than a year earlier and 2,189 more than in the 2021/2022 school year. This means that the proportion of older educators in the system has increased by around 24.8 percent in just two years.
One of the key reasons for this increase was the government’s simplification of the rules regulating the re-employment of retired educators in 2022 and 2023, a change that was aimed at easing the shortage of workers in the education system.
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Hungarian government to provide EUR 6.4m in support for educational farms
The government will provide a combined 15.6 billion forints (EUR 6.4m) in grants to nineteen institutions for the establishment of educational farms in the framework of the Rural Development Programme to support the development of agricultural vocational training, István Nagy, the minister of agriculture, said on Tuesday.
The grants of up to 1 billion forints are made available to agricultural vocational training centers, universities or colleges with a teaching farm, and state-owned research institutes conducting various experiments to support machinery and equipment purchases, infrastructure developments, and renewable energy upgrades, the minister said.
Nagy said the knowledge transfer of educational farms contributes directly to boosting competitiveness, sustainability, resource efficiency, and environmental performance.
As we wrote this morning, Hungarian agriculture is in big trouble, it’s completely depleted, and foreign workers may be needed to save the industry: Foreign workers needed to save Hungarian agriculture?
- Hungarian minister Nagy: Brussels keeps the agriculture crisis going
Two prestigious Hungarian universities featured on the Young University Rankings 2024 list
From time to time, Hungarian universities get featured on prestigious lists ranking higher education facilities. This time, two universities were included in the Times Higher Education ranking of universities under 50.
Two Hungarian universities among the best
As Eduline writes, in the recent Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024, the University of Óbuda secured a position between 301st and 350th, while Széchenyi István University, situated in Győr, landed in the 501st to 600th range. These rankings, initiated in 2012, spotlight appealing universities established within the last five decades.
The assessment encompasses five key domains: teaching, research, research impact, international outlook, and industry knowledge transfer. An array of 18 distinct metrics, including aspects like academic reputation, staff-to-student ratio, and global collaboration, are factored in to gauge each institution’s standing.
A glimpse into the past
In 2023, a mere 605 universities received rankings, but this year’s tally has surged to 673, with an additional 499 labelled as “reporters,” signifying they have supplied data but have not yet met ranking prerequisites. Both of the two Hungarian universities received a higher ranking this year.
The University of Óbuda, established in 2010, has notably enhanced its standing from the 351-400 range in 2022 to the 301-350 bracket this year. Similarly, SZIE, previously labelled a “reporter,” has ascended to the 501-600 category. For now, the Neumann János University of Kecskemét and the University of Sopron remain in reporter status.
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The Importance of Early Childhood Education in Hungary
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Early childhood education (also called ECE) is of much importance in Hungary for many reasons. Hungarians believe that early childhood education serves as the foundation for a child’s lifelong learning journey and socio-emotional development. They also believe that those students who have attended early childhood education programs can handle the academic challenges more easily. When it comes to college academic papers, these learners are more likely to complete all the tasks on their own, while others seek research papers for sale from skilled authors. It does not mean that those students who need assistance are worse, but their skills are a bit weaker.
In this article, we will discuss the reasons why early childhood education is so important in Hungary and see whether these ideas really work.
Holistic Development
Early childhood education is to boost children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Hungarians believe that quality early education for kids can lead to better outcomes in adulthood.
Social Integration
From an early age, children learn how to interact with other individuals, and this helps them socialize better. In Hungary, where there may be cultural and socioeconomic disparities, early childhood education also helps to reduce inequality from the very childhood.
Language Development
Early childhood education programs help children boost their language development. Children are usually exposed to Hungarian and other languages, which makes it easier for them to learn foreign languages in adult life. Hungarians believe that young children find it much easier to learn new languages, and providing them with basic language skills from an early age will help children study the language better in the future.
Preparation for School
By teaching essential skills such as literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and critical thinking, early childhood education programs prepare young learners for school years. Not all parents know how to teach their kids correctly or have no time to teach them at home. If one wants to prepare his/her child for school years, such programs can be helpful. It is believed that children who attend quality early childhood education are more likely to succeed academically in the future.
Parental Support
Early childhood education programs often involve adults participating in their children’s learning process. This has a number of benefits both for children and parents. First, parental involvement enhances the quality of education and strengthens the bond between parents and children. Such interaction creates a supportive environment for the child’s overall development.
Of course, not all parents have an opportunity to teach their children; some have to work to meet ends, and some have no idea how to teach their young learners correctly, and ECE programs can help them meet this demand.
Early Intervention
Another critical point is that early childhood education can help identify developmental delays in children or learning difficulties early on. This allows for timely interventions and implementing support services to address potential challenges and maximize a child’s potential.
Economic Benefits
Early childhood education offers significant long-term economic benefits for Hungary. It is proven that high-quality early childhood education programs help to reduce societal costs associated with remedial education, healthcare, and crime. At the same time, these help to increase workforce productivity and economic competitiveness in the country.
Cultural Preservation
Early childhood education programs usually cover elements of Hungarian culture, such as traditions and values. This helps to contribute knowledge about the country’s cultural heritage and instills a sense of pride and identity in young learners.
How to Choose the Best Program for Your Child
Here are some steps to help parents or caregivers make an informed decision.
Step 1: Research
First, search for the available programs, and if you are searching for offline ones, seek the ones in your location. Then, read reviews and the overall information to understand a particular program’s target. Evaluate the curriculum and teaching approach of each program. Some programs focus on play-based learning, others may follow academic readiness or a specific educational philosophy (e.g., Montessori, Reggio Emilia). Create a list of options that suit your demands.
Step 2: Visit
Visit the programs you have chosen and pay attention to the interactions between teachers and children as well as the classroom atmosphere. Assess cleanliness, safety measures, and the overall vibe of the facility. Evaluate the curriculum and teaching approach of each program.
Step 3: Assess the Teaching Staff
Look for educators who are trained in early childhood education and have experience working with young children. Also, you can ask about the staff-to-child ratio to ensure that your child will receive adequate attention and supervision.
Step 4: Choose the One That Suits Your Child
Choose a program that fits your family’s schedule and budget while also meeting your child’s needs. Don’t forget to trust your instincts, and choose a program where you feel confident that your child will thrive. Consider your child’s temperament, interests, and individual needs when deciding.
Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.
Peng Liyuan visits Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school
Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Anikó Lévai, the spouse of PM Viktor Orbán, on Thursday visited Budapest’s Hungarian-Chinese bilingual primary and secondary school, on the sidelines of the Chinese presidential couple’s official visit to Hungary.
Peng Liyuan in Hungary
The guests were shown around the complex by headmistress Zsuzsa Erdélyi. They listened to a Chinese language class in the school and then a class of Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting, and were presented with a cultural programme in Hungarian and in Chinese.
The Chinese First Lady presented books to the school and received a photo album in return.
Earlier in the day Peng attended cultural programmes in the St Stephen Hall with First Lady Zsuzsanna Nagy.
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FM Szijjártó in London: Everything must be done for Hungarian nation’s survival
Everything possible must be done to ensure the survival of the Hungarian nation, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said in London on Wednesday, underlining the need to preserve the Hungarian communities in Hungary, the Carpathian Basin and the diaspora.
Addressing the inauguration of a new building of the Hungarian Children and Parents Group, Szijjártó said Hungarians had a duty to do everything in their power to help preserve Hungarian identity wherever they may live in the world.
“The reason this is a complex task, even in terms of geography, is that our job isn’t just to preserve the Hungarian nation in the motherland and the Carpathian Basin, but we also have to focus at least as much on preserving the Hungarian diaspora communities,” Szijjártó said.
“It calls for a strong motherland that is successful in taking on this mission, and, of course, a self-conscious and proud Hungarian nation that embraces and represents its own national values even in the face of headwinds.”
Policy for Hungarians beyond the border lies at the heart of Hungarian foreign policy and is based on the idea that “Hungarians are responsible for each other no matter where they live”, Szijjártó said.
“And the farther away one lives from the motherland, the more important communities become,” he said. “As long as our communities exist and stick together, it is safe to plan for the future.”
The minister said this required institutions like the House of Hungarians in central London whose building the government purchased in 2022 and which will be home to the Hungarian Children and Parents Group.
Szijjártó thanked the school’s weekend volunteer teachers for their contributions to helping children preserve their Hungarian identity and the parents for enrolling some 60 children in the school.
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Everything you should know about school holidays, important dates in Hungary
The Hungarian government usually publishes a decree in August each year setting out the order of the academic year starting in September. This decree includes the school holidays and the most important dates in Hungary. In August last year, the good news emerged that the winter and spring breaks for the 2023/24 school year would be longer than what students had got used to. Find everything you should know about school holidays and important dates in Hungary below.
Academic year in kindergartens
In theory, kindergartens do not have summer holidays in Hungary, but in practice, they do. This is possible because there is no summer holiday, but a closed season, according to Index. This time can be used to renovate kindergartens and give teachers time off. Moreover, experts say it is also important for children to be at home with their parents – which, obviously, is a difficult thing for many parents to manage since workplaces do not have a summer holiday.
The kindergarten “education” year runs from 1 September to 31 August of the following year. However, although they can’t call it a summer holiday, kindergartens can close for up to a month and a half during summer.
Kindergarten graduation/farewell ceremony usually takes place between the beginning and middle of June.
Important dates in Hungary: primary and high schools
Unlike nurseries, schools have breaks: summer, autumn, winter, and spring breaks. Typically, the autumn holiday lasts one week around Halloween/All Saints’ Day, the winter break lasts two to three weeks in December and January, the spring break is around one week which is connected to the Easter holiday, and the summer holiday, which is the longest of all, lasts around two months.
The academic year in schools usually starts on 1 September and lasts until the middle/end of June of the following year.
Primary school graduation usually takes place in the middle of June, just like high school graduation. High school students usually sit for their final exams from the beginning of May until the middle of June.
Academic year in higher education/universities
The academic year at universities and colleges differs quite a bit from that of high schools. The autumn semester starts in the second or third week of September at most universities. The academic term usually lasts until early to mid-December, followed by the exam period until late January to early February.
The period of study for the second semester of the academic year is in most places between early to mid-February and early May, after which the examination period starts and lasts until mid to late June.
The graduation ceremony at universities is held after the end of the exam period of the second semester, usually in July.
Read also:
- Neumann scheme goal: one of the world’s top 100 universities will be Hungarian by 2030
- Hungary signs agreement with Times Higher Education
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Széchenyi István University showcases its developments to foreign diplomatic leaders in Hungary
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On 26 April, a total of 26 top officials from 14 foreign states’ representations in Hungary, including four ambassadors, were hosted by Széchenyi István University. The event highlighted how modern infrastructure enhances the quality of education and contributes to forward-looking research and development.
Taking place at Széchenyi István University’s Győr Science and Innovation Park, the event aimed to acquaint senior staff of foreign embassies in Budapest with the institution’s activities. Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, justified the choice of location by emphasizing the University’s desire to foster close ties with various countries and their institutions and companies, across all three missions of higher education: education, research, and third mission activities.
Innovation parks serve as hubs for education, research and development, and collaborations with companies. Dr Lukács underscored that the programme focussed on educational, research, and investment, hence presentations were delivered by the directors of the Széchenyi István University’s innovation parks during the event.
Dr Lukács added that the institution, boasting 220 Hungarian and 42 English-taught programmes, with 14,000 students, including nearly a thousand international students, representing almost 80 countries, now features prominently on six global rankings by the two leading higher education accrediting bodies, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE).
She highlighted Győr’s excellent geographical location, situated near the capitals of Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. Dr Lukács elaborated on the institution’s offering of dual degree programs in collaboration with universities from the United States, China, Portugal, Italy and India. The Vice President also emphasized their institution’s extremely close ties with industry stakeholders.
Tamás Kolossváry, the Director of the Széchenyi István University’s Győr Science and Innovation Park, elaborated that last year the first building, covering nearly four thousand square metres, was inaugurated, with plans to complete further development in two additional phases over the coming years.
He emphasized that within the innovation park, there are facilities for enterprise development, the Design Campus coordinating the university’s industrial design, graphic design, and fine arts programmes, several research and development units, as well as corporate partners involved in cutting-edge technologies, such as Audi and Bosch. He added that the strengthened industrial partnerships can foster the emergence of startup and spinoff ventures, increase the number of research projects, patents, and scientific publications, and drive innovation forward.
With a history of more than 200 years, the activities of the Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty were presented by the Dean, Dr Tamás Tóth. He stated that nearly 700 students are enrolled in one of their 22 Hungarian and four English-taught programmes, with an additional 50 doctoral students.
Their educational and research activities focus on modern food technologies, sustainability, agricultural digitization, and rural development. He emphasized that state-of-the-art laboratories and the 500-hectare Smart Farm agricultural research station support both their education and research activities. The Dean showcased the faculty’s research portfolio through several projects.
Dr Zoltán Weltsch, head of the Széchenyi István University’s Zalaegerszeg Innovation Center, explained that alongside one of the world’s most advanced automotive proving grounds, ZalaZone, a complete ecosystem has been developed in recent years. This constitutes part of the University infrastructure, encompassing laboratories and the plants and development centres of major companies such as AVL, Bosch and Rheinmetall. The proving ground itself offers opportunities for testing electric, autonomous and military vehicles.
Among the guests, H.E. the Ambassador of Laos, Mr Khamphone Vongsanty, mentioned that nearly fifty young people from his country are studying at Széchenyi István University. The emergence of the Laotian community is due to the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program initiated by the Hungarian government. Today, self-financing students from the Southeast Asian country also study in significant numbers at the institution.
“This event provides a great opportunity to get to know the University in Győr,” he expressed. Referring to the University’s Formula Student competition team, the Arrabona Racing Team, he particularly highlighted the importance of hands-on education by indicating the team’s exhibited race car.
The Ambassador of Malaysia to Hungary, Mr Francisco Munis, explained that since 2018, young people have been coming from Malaysia to study at Hungarian universities through the Stipendium Hungaricum programme. “Initially, only a few came, but currently there are about a hundred across the country. We would like to see their numbers increase, including here at Széchenyi University. I am confident that in the future, we can strengthen our ties with the institution in Győr,” he emphasized.
Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.
Tragedy at Hungarian primary school: Girl stabs another in the heart, owns a death list
In a harrowing incident at Bőnyi Primary School in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, Hungary, tragedy struck as a sixth-grade student, reportedly armed with a knife she had concealed in her bag, stabbed her classmate, Mirella, in the heart. Before this appalling act, it was revealed that the perpetrator had compiled a disturbing death list.
A sixth-grade girl stabbed her classmate at the end of a lesson at Bőnyi Primary School. The police responded to the incident, and the injured girl was taken to the hospital. The students were shocked, and the school was dismissed with only family members permitted to pick up the children. According to Blikk, the distressing event unfolded in the early morning hours within the confines of the classroom. Only three students were present at the time, with one witnessing the horrifying attack while hiding in fear.
The mayor of the city confirmed the tragedy occurred at the end of the morning class, with the student allegedly stabbing the victim with a knife brought from home. The fight reportedly involved two girls from a neighbouring village, resulting in the victim being stabbed in the heart. The Győr-Moson-Sopron County Police Headquarters are investigating the incident as part of a criminal investigation, with ongoing on-the-spot measures.
The stabbed victim’s parents’ reactions
Mirella’s mother expressed shock upon learning about her daughter’s stabbing incident, describing Mirella as a quiet and gentle girl. Despite the trauma, she holds no anger towards the classmate responsible and prioritises Mirella’s recovery above all else. She questioned how someone could bring a knife to school and compile a death list, mentioning that Mirella and her cousins were reportedly on it.
Mirella’s father, a chef in Austria, rushed home upon hearing the news. Mirella had previously undergone cranial surgery due to an accident in her childhood but has had no conflicts with her classmates. Her mother mentions Mirella’s aspirations of becoming a hairdresser or nail technician.
The state of the victim
According to Ágnes Nagy, the deputy head of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Police Headquarters, the injured girl underwent surgery, and her condition is stable as she remains in intensive care. The school director reported the incident to the police around 8:45 AM, according to Blikk.
The attacker stabbed a 20-centimetre knife into her classmate’s back in plain view before discarding the weapon on the ground, as reported. Additionally, it was revealed that the assailant had compiled a list, colour-coded in red for intended victims and green for those spared. According to available details, a criminal investigation, including interrogations, is underway.
The deputy chief of the criminal investigation unit depicted the assailant as an educated and reserved child, prompting further scrutiny of her motivations during the impending legal proceedings. The Police Headquarters of Győr-Moson-Sopron County is leading the investigation, suspecting attempted premeditated murder.
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21 Hungarian Universities on the brink of losing EU Funding! What’s blocking over €6 Billion from reaching Hungary?
Several Hungarian universities are at risk of losing EU funding due to concerns over governance structures and public procurement practices. Hungary currently finds itself unable to access over EUR 6 billion in cohesion funding and the Recovery Fund from the European Commission, despite some funds being made available at the end of last year.
According to Privátbankár, the Commission is awaiting a new response from the Hungarian government, with no new legislation being adopted. This issue sheds light on the scrutiny surrounding EU funds and the stalled negotiations between Hungary and Brussels.
Last December, the European Commission released EUR 10.2 billion in EU funds to Hungary, commending the government’s efforts in judicial reform efforts. However, EUR 6.3 billion of cohesion funds remain blocked due to concerns regarding the rule of law.
The EU Funds
Approval of Hungary’s plan under the Recovery Fund is pending until all 27 super-milestones are met. In total, around EUR 21 billion remains blocked. Although the Hungarian government recently announced the release of an additional EUR 2 billion, most of which will go towards teachers’ salaries, access to the majority of the funds remains restricted. The reasons for this ongoing blockage are still under scrutiny.
Starting from spring 2022, the rule of law mechanism, applicable to all EU countries including Hungary, aims to safeguard EU financial interests and uphold EU values.
This mechanism links the allocation of EU funds to adherence to the rule of law. Specific expectations set by the European Commission include amendments to laws, particularly in public procurement, legal remedies in corruption cases, transparency and public interest trusts, such as universities. Compliance with these requirements is essential for Hungary to access full EU funding. Besides, the ongoing issue also adversely affects Hungarian universities.
Hungarian universities in danger
Several Hungarian universities are at risk of losing EU funding due to concerns over governance structures and public procurement practices. If these issues are not addressed by September, 21 Hungarian universities may face funding cuts.
Access to funds from the Recovery Fund and Cohesion Fund is contingent upon meeting specific criteria, including the resolution of governance concerns and alignment with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. While there is disagreement within the European Commission regarding the Hungarian case, upcoming EU elections and renewals further complicate the situation.
The Government’s “reaction”
The Hungarian government remains silent on inquiries regarding EU funding conditions, with attempts to reach the Ministry of European Union Affairs yielding no response. According to sources close to the government cited by Mandiner, the European Commission is hesitant to provide clear guidance on proposed conditions for fear of backlash from the European Parliament.
Mandiner suggests that the government’s lack of action may stem from a strategic decision to avoid granting the Commission too much authority, opting instead to wait and observe. This indicates a high-stakes political game, where professional considerations intertwine with political manoeuvring on both sides.
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Hungary signs agreement with Times Higher Education
On Monday, the Culture and Innovation Ministry announced that it has signed a long-term partnership agreement with Times Higher Education (THE) to develop Hungary’s higher education system further.
The ministry said in a statement that the partnership was designed to promote the government’s higher education-related goals and increase the global presence of Hungarian universities.
Under the agreement, Times Higher Education will conduct a detailed analysis of Hungarian universities’ performance compared to regional and global peers. “This will emphasize Hungary’s higher education excellence at an international level,” the statement said.
State secretary Balázs Hankó, who oversees higher education, said currently, 11 Hungarian universities are listed in THE’s World University Rankings, adding that the goal was to have a Hungarian university among the world’s 100 best by 2030 and at least three among Europe’s top 100.
Times Higher Education current list, Hungarian universities:
Comment by Phil Baty, Times Higher Education director
The statement quoted Phil Baty, Times Higher Education director for global affairs, as saying that Hungary’s higher education aspirations were impressive and expressed his organization’s readiness to provide its Hungarian partner with reliable information, global comparative data, and background material.
Baty added that the ministry will have access to THE’s material on universities in over 100 countries worldwide in terms of their education, research, financial sustainability, international activities, social impact, and scientific reputation, with the aim of supporting Hungarian universities.
The ministry added that the government’s goal was to more than double the number of foreign students at Hungarian universities.
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- Success! Hungarian university moves up two places in new ranking, details HERE
The evolution of education in Hungary
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Hungary has a diverse blend of culture and history, narrowed down to its situated geology, in the heart of Central Europe. Education has been the backbone of the nation’s civilization and growth over the past centuries. From the beginning to the modern-day challenges, the development of education in Hungary is a reflection of the country’s journey of how it has navigated through various overhauls of the political system, social upheavals, and economic crises.
Image by JNemchinova from iStock
Early education in Hungary
Education has always been an essential part of the fabric and a significant step up in the development of society in the narrative of Hungarian history. The roots of formal education in Hungary point to the medieval period; the church and monasteries attached to it served the younger generation with guidance on literacy and knowledge-acquiring skills. Nevertheless, it wasn’t until the Renaissance era, the medieval age, that the first identifiable features of schools – the place where formal learning starts – appeared. If you’re interested in further enlightenment, you can seek assistance from the best teachers for research paper writer in 2024, readily available from reliable online essay writing services. They are the perfect match for you as they offer valuable insights and tips on this topic.
Education reform in the 18th and 19th centuries
It was the period of Enlightenment that pedestalled an era of change in the education sector in Hungary. Having been indoctrinated by the ideas of Enlightenment, efforts were made to change the education system on the principles of modernism and standardization. National policies were then created to support primary education by funding teacher training institutes as the initial move aimed at creating more equitable access to education for all.
Education during the Austro-Hungarian Empire
The Austro-Hungarian Empire implemented the centralization of education in schools and established a set criterion of language and culture whilst emphasizing the teaching of the Hungarian language and culture. The call for integration of the education system couldn’t eradicate all existing stumbling blocks, especially for minority groups striving to have the same chance as other children to attend schools. Consequently, modern education in Hungary nowadays can be considered the result of all the undertakings during this period.
Education in the interwar period
Gradually, the World War I climax ushered in both the new age of confrontations and opportunities for Hungarian education. Efforts were taken to make the older education system modern primarily through the introduction of vocational and technical education to fit into the new societal needs. Regardless, economic troubles didn’t deter any efforts or progress towards the development of education for all strata of society.
Communist era and education
With the coming of communism, there were substantial changes in the systems of education in Hungary. Education was nationalized and centralized under communist rule with a principal focus on ideological indoctrination across the schools. Despite existing ideological constraints and related factors, the higher education system experienced significant growth.
Current education landscape
Hungary’s education system was highly reformed and changed with the fall of communism and attempts were made to reform the educational system and move away from the centralized nature of the system. Today, Hungary has a modern educational system that aims, as a general rule, to deal with such a diverse population as possible. In fact, Hungary is ranked among the ten best countries for international students, providing affordable quality education. A number of activities – stimulating innovation and developing digital literacy being their main focus – target school children providing them with the required set of skills to excel in careers of the 21st century. Even though educational inequalities and limited money that support the project exist, institutional reform and extra funding will still be needed in this sector.
Future directions in Hungarian education
While Hungary still has a lot to do in terms of the further improvement of the education system, there are considerable prospects for reforms that can increase the access to and the quality of education. Embracing innovation, keeping abreast with the changing global dynamics, and holding on to elements that make Hungarian education competitive, relevant and unique are going to be crucial in ensuring the stability and placement of Hungarian education in years to come. Through investing in its most valuable resource – people – Hungary will provide a solid base for a bright future for everyone.
Forging ahead: Education as Hungary’s path to progress
The cultural history of education in Hungary is a story of overcoming and the nation’s skill of adapting to changing circumstances over time. Education has been a major contributor to the country’s strides to progress and success. With the country moving forward from the challenges of the 21st century, the role that education plays in advocating for positive change and prosperity cannot be overstated. The enhanced effectiveness of Hungary can be accomplished by investment and reform which will clear the path for a better tomorrow for all the nation’s citizens.
Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.
SZE’s collaboration with industry exemplary – says Stanford University professor
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Dr Glenn Tiffert, a professor at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in the United States, highly appreciates the development of Széchenyi István University in recent years. He delivered a packed lecture on securing supply chains at the Győr Science Park on 9 April. According to the researcher, the institution works closely with industrial players in an exemplary manner, assisting students in their practical training.
Széchenyi István University aims to impart cutting-edge knowledge to its students and regularly invites renowned speakers from prestigious universities for this purpose. Most recently, on 9 April, the University hosted Dr Glenn Tiffert, a professor of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, ranked fifth in the world on the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) global ranking. The researcher, who visited Hungary with the assistance of the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, delivered a lecture titled “Semiconductors: A Case Study on Securing Supply Chains” to a fully packed audience in the aula of the Győr Science Park, inaugurated by the University last year.
Prior to his lecture, the professor told the press that he came to Győr to learn about Széchenyi University‘s innovation activities, its connection to the industry, and to share his knowledge with the audience. “I was impressed by what I saw here, especially how the institution closely collaborates with the local industry to provide practical training for students. This is a great model from which we could all learn,” he said, adding that he is open to further cooperation.
At the event, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, introduced Dr Glenn Tiffert as an expert on modern China, whose areas of expertise include academic, corporate, and governmental research, the integrity of science and technology policy, influence from foreign powers. He is a researcher in Chinese political and legal history, author and co-author of numerous academic publications. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the University Research Security Professionals Association, established to increase security awareness at universities.
In his lecture, through the example of semiconductors, Dr Tiffert drew attention to the dangers of supplier exclusivity in global supply chains. He demonstrated that the current model of the world economy is not safe with the establishment of a monopoly position, as the absence of a single supplier can lead to complete collapse, as happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when the production of essential chips for the automotive industry ceased. According to the researcher from the Hoover Institution, it is worth reconsidering the role of countries involved in development in the global supply chain and expanding manufacturing markets, as a more diversified economic chain could be beneficial in the long run. The professor spoke highly of the research and development activities at Széchenyi University and the involvement of talented students in professional and scientific activities. He believes that innovative scientific work, close cooperation with the corporate sector, and international networking at the university are key to future industrial development.
read also: University Awards Gala and Media Ball: Széchenyi István University recognizes its best – PHOTO GALLERY
Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.