The aim of the visit of the delegation of the Ukrainian Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College to Széchenyi István University was to establish contacts. One of the foundations for future partnerships could be mobility for students, staff and researchers. 

In addition to expanding its international relations, it is also important for Széchenyi István University to strengthen its ties with Hungarians living abroad. In this spirit, the institution recently received a delegation from the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College in Berehove, Ukraine. The meeting was facilitated by the Hungarian Rectors' Conference.

Annabella Bihari, Head of Unit for Recruitment and International Communications at Széchenyi University’s Centre of International Programmes and Alumni, explained to the guests how the institution has become a University with nine faculties, four doctoral schools and around 14,000 students. She explained that the number of international students has now grown to around 1,000, coming from 77 countries around the world and studying one of more than 40 English-taught programmes. She added that the University is listed on seven international rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds and Times Higher Education. She also spoke about the excellent location of Győr, close to three capitals - Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava - and the major infrastructure developments that have been completed and are underway, such as the construction of the Győr and Zalaegerszeg Innovation Parks and the Medtech Health Technology Campus in Győr.

"Our University participates in the Pannonia scholarship programme. This offers opportunities for short and long-term student exchanges, as well as mobility for teaching and research purposes. This could be a basis for future cooperation," highlighted Ms Bihari.

Members of the Transcarpathian delegation with representatives of Széchenyi István University on the Győr campus (Photo: Máté Dudás)

The Berehove institution was presented by student Emília Kállai. She said that the college started its operation in 1996. Currently, it offers 17 bachelors and 10 masters degree programmes. In addition to its seven departments, the college has three research centres: a social sciences research centre, a linguistics research centre and the Fodor István Research Centre, which was established at the biology and chemistry departments.

"We have very positive impressions of Győr and the University. The purpose of the visit was to establish possible fields of collaborations, to get to know each other better," said János Balogh, head of the delegation from the college. – “We hope that in the future we can establish a fruitful cooperation for both parties. For example, we are open to participating in different mobility programmes."