The delegation from Chiang Mai University was led by Rector Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, who was joined at the meeting by several members of the university’s senior leadership. Representatives from several ELTE faculties and international experts joined the discussions, including Gábor Zemplén, Vice Rector for International Affairs, and Katalin Igaz-Öhler, Head of the International Strategy Office. ELTE PPK was represented by Katalin Felvinczi and Orsolya Endrődy. 

The meeting focused on how to further deepen cooperation between the two universities. The relationship was established in 2018 at an international conference, formalized in 2023 through an inter-institutional agreement, and has been expanding ever since.  

A key pillar of this collaboration is the Erasmus+ staff and student credit mobility (ICM) program. To date, this program has facilitated 17 research visits and 14 student mobility exchanges, exceeding the originally planned capacity by 20%.

Today, the relationship extends beyond exchange programs to include joint research projects, publications, and educational initiatives. A prime example of this is the collaboration between the Institute of Intercultural Psychology and Pedagogy and the CMU School of Education, which function as sister institutions, enabling curriculum alignment and credit recognition at both the MA and PhD levels. 

A key area of research is the study of multicultural education and global social challenges. Faculty members from PPK participating in the program have achieved significant scholarly results: Nguyen Luu Lan Anh’s research examines Hungarian educators’ attitudes toward migration and multiculturalism, while Orsolya Endrődy—who is also the project leader—analyzes issues in early childhood education within an international context.

As the partnership enters a new phase, the parties aim to build a broader international network. As part of this effort, the “NetWorkShop” model was created, connecting Asian and European institutions—including the University of Modena (UNIMORE), Seoul National University, and Hiroshima University—within a shared research and training ecosystem. As part of the initiative, online seminars also facilitate the international mentoring of doctoral students and joint participation in thesis defense processes.

Plans for 2026 include the launch of another ICM project, as well as a face-to-face meeting between the heads of ELTE’s Faculty of Education and Psychology and CMU in July. 
 

Further photos and presentation materials are available on the Institute’s website.