This year the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme celebrates its 10th anniversary with a series of events. As part of the celebration, the Welcome event of the new scholarship holders, followed by the International Conference of the Stipendium Hungaricum Partners took place between 20 and 22 November, where more of our alumni members participated in workshops and round table discussions.
The three-day-long event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Tempus Public Foundation, where sending partners and representatives of Hungarian higher education institutions could participate in several sessions, round tables, and plenary lectures to discuss the main achievements and challenges of the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme. Participants stressed the programme's importance in the development of diplomatic relations, and highlighted its effects on Hungarian higher education institutions and on scholarship holders.
The workshop discussions also included an introduction to the Alumni Network Hungary, where participants received detailed information on the work of the network, the importance of the alumni for higher education institutions and partners, and as a case study, the Nigeria-Hungary Alumni Association was also presented by the leader of the chapter, Lucky Peter Kenda.
The promotion of the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme was also the topic of one of the workshops, where Gunay Bayramova, chairwomen and Hikmat Hasanov deputy chair of the AHAU- Azerbaijan Hungary Alumni Union shared their good practices in the communication of the scholarship programme.
Many of the international volunteers of the Alumni Network Hungary were present at the event, read their insights below:
Craig V. Jonson
“This program is indeed a success story as it achieved so much within a short 10-year period, particularly when it comes to its rapid growth in student placements and sending partners, as well as the continuous development of the Alumni Network Hungary, for example. As a volunteer of this network for almost 2 years now, I am very motivated to continue contributing and giving back by helping to further develop this network and the broader SH program.”
Lucky Peter Kenda
“It was a great privilege for me to participate in the SH conference and workshop. I want to say thank you to Stipendium Hungaricum and all its partners for giving Nigerians the opportunity to study in Hungary. This has given us access to quality education and lots of experience with the people and their culture.”
Hikmat Hasanov
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the SH conference and share my experiences as an alumnus. Despite the virtual setting, the conference provided a platform that allowed me to showcase the adaptability of my work within the scholarship program, emphasizing the unique aspects of the Azerbaijan-Hungary Alumni Union (AHAU). Participating in the conference sparked new ideas, particularly regarding the potential for AHAU to serve as a model for other alumni unions. The virtual format did not hinder our ability to connect with coordinators, sending partners, and the embassy.