Between the 24th and 31st of October, representatives from the University of Szeged together with 4 other Hungarian Universities and colleagues from Study in Hungary travelled to Latin America to promote Hungarian study and scholarship options through alumni reunions, study fairs, and higher education forums. Networking and strengthening the relations, exploring new cooperation fields and opportunities and recruiting students from Latin America were the main goals of the trip.
During their stay in Latin America, in precise Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo) and Argentina (Buenos Aires), the delegation was received by several Universities, attended educational fairs to popularize the institutions study opportunities and were received by the Hungarian Embassy as well as the Hungarian House.
The Hungarian delegation consisted of the representatives of five Hungarian universities – the University of Szeged, the University of Miskolc, Semmelweis University, Óbuda University, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics – and the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Tempus Public Foundation.
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
In Rio De Janeiro, the delegation was hosted by the Universidade Federal Fluminese, a representative of REARI-RJ, an international network of 14 universities in the city, to talk about possible areas of cooperation.
The Hungarian delegation was also hosted by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). one of the best universities in Brazil.
Prior to the visit, the University of Szeged and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro were already in the process of initiating a MOU between the two Universities so it was an opportunity for Diana Katsidis and Diana Mustafa, colleagues from the SZTE International Affairs and Public Relations Directorate to hand in the Memorandum of Understanding in person to General Superintendent for International Relations, Professor Papa Ndiaye.
Brazil – Sao Paulo
The Hungarian Delegation was hosted by the Sao Paulo State University where all the institutions had the opportunity to introduce themselves and discuss further cooperation opportunities.
Later on that day, the delegation had an event at the “Hungarian House” where representatives of the delegation promoted and introduced their Universities with a series of presentations and small educational fair followed by a dinner and networking session with the participants.
Diana Katsidis, International Expert at the International Affairs & Public Relations Directorate held a presentation introducing the SZTE.
Diana Mustafa, International Expert at the International Affairs & Public Relations Directorate while talking to one of the prospective students.
The next day, SZTE representatives visited the Universidade Paulista (UNIP) to receive a hard copy of the Memorandum of Understanding that was initiated beforehand between the two Universities. Vanessa Louise Head of International Office Received the SZTE colleagues.
Later on at night, the SZTE was represented at the Study in Europe Fair Sao Paulo where the Hungarian delegation had the opportunity to meet with students, high school representatives, look for potential further cooperation, and build their international network. Alumni were also invited to participate in the event.
Argentina – Buenos Aires
After the huge success in Brazil, the delegation flew to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, to take part in the Study in Europe fair. There, numerous European countries showcased their higher education systems. Once again, Argentine students showed great interest in the Hungarian exhibit featuring the universities, with several expressing interest in studying there in the near future. We also got the chance to speak with representatives of Argentina's Ministry of Higher Education, a Stipendium Hungaricum Partner, at the exhibition to go over the specifics of the scholarship programme.
The delegation’s final engagement was at the Argentina-Hungarian higher education forum and alumni meeting held at the Hungarian Embassy of Hungary, which was attended by members of Hungarian diasporas in Argentina.
The forum began with a welcoming speech delivered by the Hungarian ambassador, Dr. PÉTER Kveck. After that, presentations by the Hungarian universities were presented, introduction of the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarip and the Alumni Network Hungary
The Study in Hungary Delegation’s visit to Brazil and Argentina provided an excellent opportunity to promote educational cooperation between our two countries and to showcase the Hungarian study options available to students in the South American region. We look forward to strengthening our relations with both countries and to welcoming more Brazilian and Argentinian students to our higher education institutions.
