ELTE keeps following its internationalisation strategy
"Today's event exemplifies Eötvös Loránd University's efforts to become a truly multicultural university," said Rector László Borhy in his welcome speech, "ELTE is investing a lot of effort in the implementation of its internationalisation strategy, which includes not only strengthening international relations but also welcoming foreign students and familiarising them with the work of ELTE."
The university should be more than a place of learning; it should be an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone contributes to the collective knowledge of the community by freely sharing their unique perspectives. ELTE's ambition is to provide all its students with in-depth knowledge, an exceptional learning experience that inspires, challenges and prepares them for the future. At the same time, the university's four-century history is proof that ELTE is keen to learn from others: it believes
„that the methods, ideas and experiences that come from international contacts make the university dynamic, by creating the right environment for innovation, which is one of the University's core missions. „
As a research university, ELTE has a strong track record, with significant research activity within its walls, involving students from the university. The university now has nine faculties covering almost all fields of science, offering internationally competitive bachelor's and master's programmes and doctoral programmes. Its extensive international network includes more than 500 Erasmus partner universities, more than 300 bilateral contacts, seven international university networks, and is a founding member of the CHARM-EU University Alliance offering joint European degrees.
"The number of international students at ELTE is constantly increasing: in the academic year 2024/25, 4600 international students started their studies at our university. They are also ambassadors of ELTE and Hungary: they help to build bridges between cultures and to understand each other in our increasingly interconnected world", concluded the Rector.
The excellence of a university in the 21st century is determined by its ability to operate in an international competitive environment and to create value for society as a whole, said Imre Hamar in his speech. The Vice-Rector for International Affairs of ELTE highlighted that thanks to the successful internationalisation project in recent years, the university now offers more than 100 foreign language courses, while services, programmes and facilities for international students have also improved.
ELTE's wide-ranging cross-border research collaborations have enabled it to make its mark on the international stage with recognised academic achievements, and as a founding member of the CHARM-EU University Alliance, it is also contributing to building a sustainable and forward-looking structure for higher education and innovation in Europe. However, internationalisation is not just a goal, it is a continuous work in which all the faculties and departments of the University are involved in order to make ELTE one of the best institutions in the region in the field of education and research," concluded Imre Hamar.
In his keynote speech, Korean Ambassador Hong Kyudok called ELTE's international students lucky to start their studies at a university that is deeply committed to internationalisation. He also welcomed the dynamic development of relations between Korea and Hungary and between ELTE and Korean universities.
In front of the international students Omar Calva Perez Luis, PhD student and member of the International Student Advisory Committee (ISAC), spoke about his positive experience. He came to Hungary from Mexico because he found the best training for his career plans at ELTE.
ELTE's network of Erasmus and Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship students was also presented at the ceremony. The opening of the year was traditionally accompanied by an information market in the Aula, where international students could get to know the ELTE Student Government, the university's dormitories, student advisors, sports clubs, the Student Customer Service Office (Quaestura), the staff and activities of the Career Centre and the Special Student Affairs Support Office (SHÜTI), the ELTE University Library and Archives, the Hungarian Startup University Program (HSUP), which supports business start-ups, and the We Love Budapest magazine, which also presented cultural and tourist offers. The celebration was enriched by a mini-concert of the Fuvalom Singing Ensemble, who performed a short selection of Hungarian folk songs from Hungary and abroad.
