CRUCH and the Hungarian Rectors' Conference sign a five-year collaboration agreement

The alternate executive vice president and rector of the Catholic University of Maule, Diego Durán, stated that “the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Conference is a very significant step, because it shows that today there is a relationship with all the universities that are members of the Council of Rectors.”.

On this occasion, the Secretary General of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference, Dr. Zoltán Dubéczi, gave a talk entitled "Introduction to the Hungarian Rectors' Conference, the Hungarian higher education system and its reforms.".

The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hungarian Rector's Conference (HRC), with the aim of promoting and expanding academic exchange and collaboration between the universities of both countries.

The ceremony was attended by the alternate executive vice president of CRUCH and rector of the Catholic University of Maule, Diego Durán; the secretary general of the HRC, Dr. Zoltán Dubéczi; the Hungarian Ambassador to Chile, Mr. Miklós Deák; Minister Dr. Csaba Pólyi; the Secretary General of CRUCH, María Isabel Munita; and other professionals from the organization. Also participating were directors of international relations and research from various universities within the Council of Rectors, as well as representatives from the Association of Regional Universities, the G9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT), and the Ministry of Education.

The alternate executive vice president of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) and rector of the Catholic University of Maule (UCM), Diego Durán, stated that the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is of great importance to the Council. Rector Durán noted that “Hungary has been establishing ties with some universities in Chile for some time, so the signing of this agreement is a very significant step, as it allows for a relationship with the entire Council of Rectors, enabling our universities and Hungarian universities to access this exchange, which is so relevant in the context of current internationalization processes.”.

Within the framework of the Memorandum, which is valid for 5 years, the universities of CRUCH and those belonging to HRC will be able to develop initiatives for institutional, cultural and business exchange; promote academic exchange and the mobility of students, teachers and researchers; promote joint research activities, the establishment of scientific networks and doctoral training; mutually support the promotion of academic events; and participate in the annual conferences of both parties.

Rector Durán emphasized the importance of internationalization for the Council of Rectors, which impacts university quality and relevance in teaching, research, and outreach. He noted that the CRUCH has established international collaboration networks with France, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and other countries. He also specified that CRUCH universities host more than 4,000 international students, of whom more than 2,600 are postgraduate students, and the remainder are exchange students.

HRC and the higher education system in Hungary

Following the signing of the Memorandum, the Secretary General of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference (HRC), Dr. Zoltán Dubéczi, gave a talk entitled "Introduction to the Hungarian Rectors' Conference, the Hungarian higher education system and its reforms.".

In this regard, Dr. Dubéczi noted that the HRC is an organization that has existed for 27 years and comprises 66 higher education institutions in Hungary. These include 29 state institutions, 25 church-affiliated institutions, and 12 private institutions. The HRC's primary objective is to represent these institutions and safeguard their interests at the national and international levels.

Dubéczi mentioned that the current universities date back to 1367 and that, throughout their nearly 650 years of existence, the Hungarian higher education system has become a key player in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). He also pointed out that, according to 2015 figures, there are a total of 295,316 students, of whom approximately 91% (26,178) are international students.

Working meeting with universities

As part of the activities planned between the Council of Rectors and the HRC, a working meeting was held on Tuesday, March 15. Participants included Michelle Zarchar, Head of Communications at the Institute of International Studies (IEI) of the University of Chile; Fernando Estenssoro, Director of the IDEA Institute at the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH); and Raúl Allard, Director of the Master's Program in International Relations at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV). Representing the Embassy of Hungary was Dr. Csaba Pólyi, and Dr. Zoltán Dubéczi, Secretary General of the HRC, also attended. Christian Blanco, Academic Director, represented the CRUCH.

During the meeting, participants discussed academic internationalization initiatives and potential avenues for collaboration between universities in both countries in the field of geopolitical and geoeconomic research. Dr. Dubéczi also shared a brief overview of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference and its internationalization strategies.