During Miklós Lengyel's visit to the Hungarian University of Sports Science (TF) on Monday, the main topic of discussion was the foreign students studying at TF through the Stipendium Hungaricum (SH), Stipendium Hungaricum Sport (SHS) and Diaspora Scholarship Programs (DFP).
On Monday, Miklós Lengyel, Deputy State Secretary for Education, Scholarship Programs and Science Diplomacy, and his delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary (KKM) visited the Hungarian University of Sports Science (TF) to meet with the university's leadership and foreign students studying at TF on scholarships.
The main purpose of the visit was to gather information about the experiences of the scholarship students studying at the university, as well as to discuss potential collaboration opportunities with the university leadership regarding the programs coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (KKM).
In addition to the Deputy State Secretary, the ministry delegation included Dr István Perosa, Head of Department for the Stipendium Hungaricum Program, Dr Ádám Szűcs, Head of Department at the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy Dr. Renáta Katz, Head of Secretariat, Katalin Ljubka, Consultant, Erika Vaczkó, Head of Unit at the Department for the Stipendium Hungaricum Program and and Orsolya Jánosik, Director of the Study in Hungary Directorate at the Tempus Public Foundation.
The representatives of the university were pleased to note that the delegation included Daniel Gyurta, the Olympic gold medallist swimmer and Head of the Sport Diplomacy Department, who typically does not participate in such consultations, but this time decided to join the delegation due to the SHS Program and the university's involvement.
The delegation first met with the international scholarship students participating in the SH, SHS, and DFP programs in the Róma room. During the informal and pleasant conversation, which was attended by 20 scholarship students, Miklós Lengyel first presented the activities of the deputy state secretary's office and the objectives of the scholarship programs to the audience.
One of the key conditions for the successful implementation of the international mobility scholarship programs coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is ensuring high-quality educational and student services in higher education. Therefore, the ministry considers it crucial to establish direct contact with institutions, to compile and share students' experiences and best practices, emphasized the Deputy State Secretary.
Miklós Lengyel mentioned that nearly 11,000 foreign students are studying in Hungary with the support of the SH scholarship program. The students shared their experiences at TF, providing useful feedback on several issues, which, in their view, could help improve the success of their studies at the university. Currently, 26 SH scholarship students, 8 SH Sport scholarship students and 5 DFP scholarship students are studying at TF.
The guest delegation then met with the representatives of TF, including Professor Tamás Sterbenz, the Rector of TF, Dr János Egressy, Head of the Department of Swimming and Water Sports, Denissza Blanár, Head of the International Relations Centre, Mariann Szőnyi, International Admissions Manager and SH Coordinator, Gábor Csele, International Officer and SH Coordinator, and Tímea Rab, Secretary of the Doctoral School of Sports Sciences.
During the meeting, Miklós Lengyel conveyed the request of the foreign students to the rector and also offered the ministry's assistance in the form of campaigns to help TF recruit more international students. In response to the Deputy State Secretary’s request to increase the number of foreign students, the rector stated that the university will be able to offer further sports professional training for SH scholarship students.
TF’s Rector also mentioned that in addition to the current English-language programs, a bachelor's degree in sports sciences will also be launched in September this year. It was also highlighted that one of the most important pillars of the university's institutional development strategy for 2025-2030 is internationalization. As part of this, the university aims to welcome 50% more international students this year.
Photo by Gergely Vidor
