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Among others, the Erasmus+, the Stipendium Hungaricum, the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship and CEEPUS programmes were the main topics of the coordinators' meeting, a large-scale event organised by Tempus Public Foundation between 8 and 10 November 2023, which was attended by more, than 250 participants from 42 institutions. During the three days, international coordinators from Hungarian higher education institutions participated in several sessions, round table discussions and plenary lectures with the same aim: to share experiences and learn from each other to achieve the highest possible number and quality of mobility.

^{Richárd Bodrogi, Director-General of Tempus Public Foundation, photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney}

The key theme was the implementation of quality mobility, which has a specific relationship with quantity: some institutions rely on fewer but reliable foreign partners, while others believe that quantity is an essential element for building a quality international network and achieving spectacular results. The integration of Hungarian and foreign students in universities has also been emphasised: encouraging more intrepid Hungarian students to build intercultural relationships and involving foreign students who tend to be stuck in their own national environment in everyday university life.

The internationalisation of Hungarian higher education, the cultivation of intercultural relations, digital developments, effective scholarship promotion and the development of the alumni network were also important parts of the meeting's programme. Participants were also given practical tips on how to use DreamApply, how to apply for visas, how to write applications and reports, among other things.

^{photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney}

As a flagship programme, Erasmus+ was the key focus of the meeting, with participants learning and sharing their insights on a range of exciting topics, from how to make the most of the Erasmus Higher Education Charter, the first step of Erasmus+, to the challenges of inclusion and how to effectively implement international credit mobility outside Europe.

In a large part of the sessions, representatives of Tempus Public Foundation invited institutions shared their own good examples, supporting other institutions in successful project implementation by presenting a tried and tested practice that is working effectively.

The Diaspora Higher Education Scholarship programme has highlighted the importance of part-time courses, which can encourage students from the Hungarian diaspora to apply for full-time courses in the future. We learned about the Canadian higher education system and the motivations of students with Hungarian ancestry in North America for studying in Hungary. Such motivations include the affordability and high quality of Hungarian higher education, and the opportunity to learn Hungarian culture and language, which can help students deepen their Hungarian identity. Another motivation is that students travelling through Hungary can get to know more European countries, but it is a challenge that the Central European region is less known overseas.

^{photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney}

In the context of international student mobility, the issue of admission was discussed during the session, and the harmonisation of visa administration and admission procedures was identified as a development direction to enable admitted students to start applying for visas as soon as possible.

Participating in international professional events and building partnerships abroad are key to achieving internationalisation goals. The workshop provided an opportunity to learn about the work of major international education organisations such as NAFSA: Association of International Educators, EAIE (European Association for International Education), AHEA (American Hungarian Educators Association), the benefits of membership such as training and conference participation, publication opportunities or access to literature, and the methodology of active participation in international university associations.

In relation to mobility, the international research network ENIS - European Network of International Student Mobility - has shown that students with experience abroad are much more aware of their job search and career development. The Alumni Network Hungary supports the follow-up of international students and provided practical advice on the benefits and opportunities of this network.

^{photo: Ádám Kovács-Jerney}

 

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Last modified: 08-02-2024