The Hungarian-Laotian held its traditional New Year – Pi Maj - celebration on Saturday, 18th April, 2015. The Laotian student of the University of Szeged and the colleague of the university also took part in the event.
With respect to the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship agreement signed between the Government of Hungary and Laos, 15 young students come to our country annually to pursue BA, MA or PhD studies in any field. Currently Laos belongs amongst the less developed countries; however, it is their goal to get out of this category by 2020. An immense financial potential lies in the country, the basis of which is water energy and copper and silver mining. In 2016 the presidency of ASEAN is run by Laos, which is significant because ASEAN comprises 10 countries and the strengthening of the position of Laos in the region is also shown by the presidency.
At the traditional New Year celebration, which was attended by several prominent personalities, it was reported that the present number of 15 students will be raised to 50 – as Zsófia Zsiray asserted. The colleague of the International Coordination Office of the University of Szeged pointed out that at present 14 students study in Hungary, amongst whom one is Nimitxay Thepphavanh majoring in International Relations at Master’s level at the Faculty of Law at the University of Szeged. From September 2015, a new student arrives in Szeged to pursue PhD studies. With its education, our university might contribute to several developmental fields in Laos: those students who study here stand a good chance of getting into key positions in Laos.
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| The University of Szeged was represented during the Laotian New Year celebration |
The present ambassador of Laos to Hungary, who speaks almost perfect Hungarian, graduated from the University of Szeged; thus it is his priority to send the most possible students to the university by the river Tisza. In Laos, services, telecommunications, food safety and the area of business competences are of top priority. Expectations are that these will be the scientific areas sought by the Laotian applicants.
The Hungarian-Laotian Friendship Society’s permanent annual program, based on original traditions, is the Laotian moon new year’s – Pi Maj – celebration organized every April. In the traditional ceremony, ambassador Phoukhao Phommavongsa said greetings to those participating, then Dénes Tomaj, former ambassador in Bangkok, who had recently returned home, held a presentation about the current Laotian commercial situation. László Váradi, president of the Hungarian-Laotian Friendship Society gave a visual presentation on the projects of Hungarian businesses and institutions active in Laos.
At the ceremony, ambassador, Mr. Phommavongsa gave the official honor to Hungarian ambassador Dénes Tomaj. At the event the traditional Laotian szukhan celebration took place during which bad souls were chased away; meanwhile the good ones were called back and tied with a white thread. The event took place in a very friendly atmosphere; the participants gained insight into the open-mindedness and positive mindset of Laotian people.
SZTEinfo
