Created: 2025.12.09. 15:40
A new agreement recently signed by representatives of Széchenyi István University, the Budapest Complex Centre of Vocational Training and the Gundel Károly Hospitality and Tourism Technical School opens up new academic and professional opportunities for students. The partnership covers a wide range of areas, from career orientation to the dual-qualification technician training programme.
The cooperation agreement between Széchenyi István University, the Budapest Complex Centre of Vocational Training and the BKSZC Gundel Károly Hospitality and Tourism Technical School was signed at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation in an official ceremony. The document identifies several joint areas of activity, including the coordination of career orientation, regular information on further studies, curriculum development, support for teacher education, involving students in scientific student research activities, as well as preparing international projects. A further highlighted element is the launch and operation of a joint technician training programme.
At the event, Gergely Pálmai, Deputy State Secretary for Vocational Training, emphasised that one of the key objectives of the Vocational Training 4.0 Strategy is to ensure permeability between vocational education and higher education, for which the introduction of the technician training has been essential. “As a result, the number of students admitted to higher education from vocational training has increased by 64 % in recent years. In the current academic year, 338 such programmes are starting nationwide as part of various partnerships, which clearly demonstrates the success of the model. This involves 20 sectors, 28 universities and 162 technical schools,” he said.
Dr Zsolt Kovács, Vice President for General and Educational Affairs at Széchenyi István University, stressed that an extensive national cooperation network has been established in recent times, which now extends to twenty technical schools. “Our new partner, the Gundel Károly Hospitality and Tourism Technical School, has been one of the most influential institutions in Hungarian hospitality vocational education for decades. I am convinced that together we can develop programmes and practical collaborations that will significantly enhance the quality of future professionals in tourism and hospitality in the long term,” he said, thanking partners for their openness and the ministry for supporting the framework of the technician training and facilitating the University’s previous partnerships.
Dr Sándor Remsei, Dean of the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Business and Economics, which offers bachelor’s programmes in Tourism and Catering taught in both Hungarian and English as well as a master’s programme in Tourism Management, emphasised that the University has an extensive hospitality and tourism infrastructure, including its own hotel and restaurants. “If we can share this expertise and knowledge with the students and teachers of the technical school, it will bring tangible benefits for everyone,” he underlined.
Csaba Elek, Director-General of the Budapest Complex Centre of Vocational Training, highlighted the practical advantages for students. “Every initiative that opens new doors for our learners is particularly valuable to us. This agreement will only truly become effective if we fill it with substance — from career orientation to joint project applications,” he said.
Zoltán Kóbor, Director of the BKSZC Gundel Károly Hospitality and Tourism Technical School, emphasised that the partnership contributes tangibly to the development of young people. “This agreement broadens the opportunities available to our students. This is what they — and the economy — need,” he said.
