For the first time, learners from Széchenyi István University's Confucius Institute have received recognition under the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship Programme, with five receiving Ambassador's Awards and another five receiving Encouragement Awards. Gong Tao, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Hungary, specifically praised the Győr-based Institute's participation in the initiative.

The tenth award ceremony of the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship Programme was held at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Budapest on 17 October, where ten learners from Széchenyi István University's Confucius Institute were also honoured. Established in 2016, the programme aims to encourage the study of the Chinese language and culture, support young people who demonstrate outstanding achievement, and strengthen educational and cultural ties between the two countries. Candidates for the awards must demonstrate not only strong academic performance but also actively foster Hungarian–Chinese friendship.

Széchenyi István University inaugurated Hungary's seventh Confucius Institute in January this year, establishing it in cooperation with Jiaxing University in China. Through language courses and  cultural programmes, the Institute reaches people of different age groups, from children through to adults. As a further result of its close cooperation with the Embassy, the Institute was given the opportunity to nominate ten learners for the Ambassador's awards. The extension of the initiative to Győr was announced by Yang Xiuhua, Education Counsellor at the Embassy, during an earlier visit to the University, when he highlighted the quality and popularity of local Chinese language courses.

At the ceremony, held in the Embassy's garden, Ambassador Gong Tao emphasised that the scholarship programme had already provided numerous young Hungarians with opportunities to deepen their understanding of China and its culture. "We are particularly delighted that Széchenyi István University's Confucius Institute has joined the programme for the first time this year, further extending its reach," he said.

The Ambassador pointed out that, as economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation between the two countries continues to develop, there is a growing need for young professionals who speak Chinese well, understand the country's distinctive characteristics and have an international outlook. He encouraged the award recipients to continue their studies and, where possible, gain first-hand experience in China. "Language is the key to mutual understanding, while culture provides a solid foundation for friendship," he stressed. He added that the Embassy intended to continue supporting Chinese language education in Hungary and exchange programmes for young people.

Gong Tao, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Hungary, praised the participation of Széchenyi István University's Confucius Institute in the programme at the ceremony. (Photo: Máté Dudás)

Judit Éva Nagy, President of the Hungarian–Chinese Friendship Association, also addressed the event, highlighting that over the past decade the scholarship had become one of the most important forms of professional recognition in Chinese language education in Hungary. She noted that the Confucius Institutes operating in Budapest, Szeged, Pécs, Miskolc, Debrecen and Győr now play a key role in the educational network built on Hungary's traditions of Sinology. "Proficiency in Chinese is now a strategic resource. There is a growing need for Chinese-speaking engineers, economists, lawyers and other professionals," she stated.

"Chinese language education today is an educational, economic and social issue," emphasised Judit Éva Nagy, President of the Hungarian–Chinese Friendship Association. (Photo: Máté Dudás)

All nominees from Széchenyi István University's Confucius Institute received awards. Ambassador's Awards were presented to Nelli Sárvári, a student on the University's Bachelor's programme in Human Resources, Labour and Social Administration; Zsófia Rebeka Farkas, an educational administration specialist at the University; Izabella Ulrich, a secondary school student at the Audi Hungaria School Centre in Győr; and Kiara Mórocz and Regina Kovács, students at Kazinczy Ferenc Secondary School in Győr. Encouragement Awards were presented to three University students – Diána Brigitta Szakács (BSc in Nursing and Patient Care, specialising in Nursing), Lionel Komka (Architecture) and Erik Varga (BSc in Mechatronics Engineering) – as well as Dóra Eliána Omischl-Soós, a pupil at Nádorváros Primary School of Music in Győr, and Botond Milley, a student at the Deák Ferenc Secondary Technical School of Economics, part of the Győr Vocational Training Centre.

The award recipients from Széchenyi István University’s Confucius Institute with the Institute’s staff. (Photo: Máté Dudás)

 

 

 

The award ceremony was also enriched by cultural performances (Photos: Máté Dudás)