In future, the law will allow universities outside of the European Union to operate in Hungary only on the basis of an international agreement, the ministry said.

The ministry noted that Hungarian law requires foreign universities that award diplomas in Hungary to operate in the countries in which they are based. Human resources minister Zoltán Balog submitted the proposed legislation clarifying the rules on the operation of foreign colleges and universities in Hungary to parliament late on Tuesday.

In the bill’s justification, he notes that “educational cooperation with countries outside of the EU is an important goal of cultural policy in Hungary” but adds that provisions in the Higher Education Act must define the “direction of international cooperation in higher education” by drawing boundaries, supporting the intentions of the government and its foreign policy goals, and ensuring that the entry of students and educators into the country complies with aspects of national security.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

Photo: Daniel Vegel