Another opportunity for talents: three students from Széchenyi István University will play important roles as delegation liaison officers in the second half of Hungary's 2024 EU Presidency. The selection was the result of a multi-stage process. The young students will work with foreign delegations.

Last November, Dr Boglárka Bólya, Ministerial Commissioner for EU Presidency Preparations of the Ministry of European Union Affairs, indicated a special opportunity for the students of Széchenyi István University in her lecture "The 2024 Hungarian EU Presidency: preparation, strategy, background". Three of the institution's undergraduate students of International Studies - Ágnes Rosta, Benjámin Bangha and Sándor Rácz - were also accepted for the advertised position of liaison officer.

Hungary held the EU Presidency for the first time between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2011 as part of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio, and will hold the role for the second time from 1 July 2024 in the same trio. The position of liaison officer is particularly important: selected students are the first point of contact for foreign delegations, and a good impression is key to successful cooperation. In the words of Boglárka Bólya, the liaison officers will act as "mini-ambassadors": coordinating, accompanying, informing and assisting delegations.

Sándor Rácz, Ágnes Rosta and Benjámin Bangha, students of International Studies at Széchenyi István University, can work for the success of the Hungarian EU Presidency (Photo: András Adorján)

The selection of students was the result of a multi-stage process. The first round started in December at the International Ludovika University of Public Service, where knowledge of the European Union was assessed in Hungarian and English. In the second round, the candidates met face-to-face with Dr Boglárka Bólya at the Ministry of European Union Affairs and with the Deputy State Secretary for Operational Affairs, where they were assessed on their aptitude, in addition to more in-depth EU knowledge questions. Finally, a final round of talks was held with Dr Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary for International Communication and Relations. In addition to English, knowledge of other European languages, competence, reliability and communication skills were also taken into account. This was followed by two days of intensive training for the students, consisting of theoretical and practical training, focusing on the objectives of the current rotating Presidency, previous experience, practical information, protocol and diplomatic skills.

"I applied for the position because I thought it was a great opportunity to be involved in Hungary's EU Presidency. It will certainly provide me with a lot of new knowledge and experience, which will help my professional and personal development," said Ágnes Rosta. - The knowledge I gained at Széchenyi István University in International Relations contributed greatly to my successful application."

"I congratulate all three of our students for achieving this result with their knowledge and skills, and for making the sacrifice that comes with training. I would like to thank Dr Boglárka Bólya, the Ministerial Commissioner, for coming to our university to give a lecture and for offering the opportunity to students at our institution to apply. I would also like to thank Dr Júlia Szőke, Head of the Department of International Studies and Communication, and Professor Dr Lívia Mihályka Ablonczyné, programme supervisor, as the success of the students shows the high quality of the degree programme", said Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations for the University.