China-Hungary University Rectors’ Dialogue Concludes
Publish Date: 2025-09-28 | Visits: 124
From September 22 to 23, China Education Association for International Exchange (CAEIE) and the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference (HRC) jointly convened the China-Hungary University Rectors’ Dialogue in Budapest. Hankó Balázs, Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation, GONG Tao, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary, FU Bo, Deputy Secretary-General of CEAIE, and Béla Merkely, President of the HRC attended the Dialogue and delivered remarks. The meeting brought together nearly 150 representatives from 60 universities in China and Hungary.
Minister Hankó extended his warm welcome to the Chinese higher education delegation, emphasizing education’s unique power in fostering platform to cultural understanding and sustainable cooperation. He characterized the Hungary-China higher education partnership as a strategic investment in regional stability and shared prosperity, reaffirming Hungary's commitment to strengthening this vital collaboration.
Ambassador GONG Tao stated that China-Hungary relations are at a historic high, evidenced by continuously deepening educational cooperation that has yielded fruitful results and holds broad prospects for future cooperation. He hoped this Dialogue would enable universities to explore collaboration and possibility for school partnership, promote closer student and scholar exchanges, and strengthen the sharing of quality resources. He also emphasized the need to pool educational resources, conduct joint innovative research, and actively pursue industry-university collaboration, preparing the talent pipeline and technical supports that are needed for the Chinese enterprises in Hungary.
Deputy Secretary-General FU Bo emphasized that educational cooperation is a cornerstone of the people-to-people and cultural ties between China and Hungary. CEAIE is committed to partnering with the Hungarian education sector to build joint research platforms in leading academic fields, innovate talent development, and strengthen the synergy between industry, academia, and research to bring innovations to market. She expressed her hope for this Dialogue to amplify the unique advantages of the educational cooperation, thereby injecting stronger momentum into the high-quality development of bilateral relations.
President Merkely began by recognizing the enduring educational ties between Hungary and China, thanking CEAIE for organizing the delegation, which facilitated direct dialogue. As a national institution representing 63 universities, HRC believed this event would serve as a catalyst to deepen academic cooperation and forge new partnerships between education institutions of the two countries.
In a move to advance higher education cooperation between China and Hungary, CEAIE and HRC signed a memorandum of understanding during the dialogue. The agreement focuses on enhancing collaboration in student and faculty exchanges, scientific research and innovation, and mutual credit recognition.
During the meeting, representatives from Semmelweis University, Shaanxi Normal University, Tianjin Chengjian University, University of Pécs, and Bank of China Limited Hungarian Branch, and other participating organizations exchanged insights on expanding joint education programs, deepening research collaboration, and promoting industry-university R&D. The discussion yielded a consensus to focus collaborative efforts on key sectors including medical sciences, smart cities, world heritage protection, and artificial intelligence, aiming to pool Chinese and Hungarian wisdom to address humanity’s common challenges.
The delegation of 18 Chinese universities, organized by China Education Association for International Exchange, visited Hungary for the conference and school visits. During the stay in Hungary, this delegation also visited the University of Szeged, Semmelweis University, and the National University of Public Service.
(Provided by Department of Higher Education Cooperation)
