SZE Joins 3rd Hungarian–Moroccan Rectors’ Forum with Lecture and New Cooperation Agreement

Created: 2025.05.16. 15:18

Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, delivered a lecture on the strategic objectives of Hungarian higher education at the 3rd Hungarian–Moroccan Rectors’ Forum. During the event, the Győr-based institution signed a cooperation agreement with Sultan Moulay Slimane University.

Held for the third time, the Hungarian–Moroccan Rectors’ Forum brought together around fifty university leaders from both countries, as well as Moroccan students who are currently studying in Hungary or have done so in the past. A 17-member delegation of rectors visited Hungary for the occasion, led by Mohamed Khalfaoui, Secretary General of the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, and Yassine Zarhloule, President of the Moroccan University Presidents’ Conference. The forum was officially opened by Veronika Varga-Bajusz, State Secretary  For Higher, Vocational and Adult Education and Youth Affairs. Greetings were also delivered by Mohamed Khalfaoui, László Borhy, President of the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference (MRK) and Rector of Eötvös Loránd University, as well as László Vigh, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Affairs at Edutus University, the host of the event.

Hungarian and Moroccan university leaders, as well as former and current Moroccan students, participated in the forum

At the event, Dr Eszter Lukács, President of the MRK Committee on International Affairs and Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, gave a presentation on the strategic goals of Hungarian higher education. In her lecture, she highlighted that a total of 328,000 students are enrolled at Hungarian universities, nearly two-thirds of whom study at reformed institutions maintained by public trust foundations performing public functions. She added that while Hungary ranks 53rd globally in terms of GDP, its higher education sector performs even better: based on indicators of graduate employability, it ranks 36th.

Speaking about internationalisation efforts, Dr Lukács noted that last academic year, 43,000 international students studied at Hungarian universities — 31,000 as self-funded students and 12,000 on state-funded scholarships. Among these, programmes in medical sciences, economics, and engineering — particularly IT — are the most popular. She pointed out that the number of Moroccan students in Hungary exceeds 400, and the growing ties are reflected in the fact that seven Hungarian higher education institutions now cooperate with a total of 12 Moroccan partners. She also discussed the Hungarian state’s Pannonia Scholarship Programme, which primarily supports the international mobility of Hungarian students. Through this programme, students may spend between 2 and 12 months at foreign universities for study, research, or internships. Short-term mobility, ranging from 2 to 30 days, is also available, offering excellent opportunities to attend conferences, short study programmes, or research projects. The programme also supports the international mobility of university staff.

Regarding double degree programmes, Dr Lukács emphasised their mutual benefits for the participating institutions. She also highlighted the importance of international research networks, which significantly contribute to enhancing scientific performance.

During the forum, Dr Eszter Lukács signed a cooperation agreement on behalf of Széchenyi István University, while Dr Mehdi Khalid, Acting President of Sultan Moulay Slimane University, signed on behalf of the Moroccan side. The agreement outlines the parties’ intention to expand educational, research, and training opportunities, including student and faculty exchange programmes, as well as exploring the sharing of educational resources and materials.

Dr Mehdi Khalid, Acting President of Sultan Moulay Slimane University, and Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, signing the cooperation agreement