Guided by the Belt and Road Initiative and within the framework of the “16+1 Cooperation” between China and Central and Eastern Europe, China and Hungary continue to deepen their collaboration in cultural and educational exchanges.
In November 2017, during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Hungary and participation in the China-CEEC Leaders’ Meeting, he had in-depth discussions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on establishing a Chinese university in Hungary. This dialogue laid the foundation for multi-level and multi-sector cooperation between Chinese and Hungarian higher education institutions.
Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Duan Jielong stated, “Higher education cooperation between China and Hungary is receiving strong attention and support from both governments.” Alongside Confucius Institutes and other cultural initiatives, higher education is becoming a powerful force driving the cultural component of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Fudan University Opens Its First Overseas Teaching Site
On October 5, 2018, Fudan University inaugurated its first overseas teaching site in Budapest. Alongside the opening, the joint Fudan-Corvinus Master’s Double Degree Program was launched.
The program began enrolling its first batch of 20-30 students in February 2019. It lasts two years, offers 27 English-taught courses, and is jointly run by Fudan’s School of Economics, the Hungarian National Bank, and Corvinus University’s Business School. Graduates will receive a Master of Finance degree from Fudan and an MBA from Corvinus University.
Fudan Vice President Chen Zhimin said, “Hungary’s alignment with the Belt and Road, its central European location, and strong education system make it an ideal partner. The curriculum includes study of China’s economic development and encourages students to explore Sino-Hungarian cooperation opportunities, including site visits to Chinese companies.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Cooperation Deepens
Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM) was among the first to initiate TCM cooperation in Hungary. Since 2010, it has collaborated with Semmelweis University to train TCM professionals and expand into medical and research areas.
In 2017, both governments signed an agreement supporting HUCM’s educational presence in Hungary. As part of the Budapest Guidelines on China-CEEC Cooperation, a Central and Eastern Europe Center for TCM education, medical care, and research is also being planned by Semmelweis University.
Their 4+1 program allows students to study both Western and Chinese medicine in Hungary for four years, followed by one year of practical training at HUCM in China. Many graduates are now working in Hungary’s TCM sector.
Dr. Yu Funian, President of the CEE Association of TCM, emphasized, “TCM is now legally recognized in Hungary, which lays a solid foundation for future cooperation and cultural exchange.”
Hungarian Universities Seek Technology Collaboration
Recently, Szent István University and the University of Pannonia signed agreements with the Continental Technology Industrial Park in Hungary, establishing joint R&D and technology transfer centers.
These centers will focus on smart agriculture, smart building automation, environmental solutions, health tech, and industrial optimization. The aim is to serve Chinese tech companies in Europe and accelerate the commercialization of research results.
University of Pannonia President Adnos noted, “Hungarian universities have mature experience in EU-funded R&D projects and international collaboration. We hope to find more Chinese partners through this platform.”
Szent István Vice President Shaobo added, “Chinese companies leveraging Hungarian tech can meet European standards and enhance their global competitiveness.”
Hungary’s small economy often limits the scale of commercialization for academic research. However, Chinese firms are keenly interested in Hungarian technologies like precision irrigation systems suitable for arid regions in China and waste treatment solutions from Eötvös Loránd University.
Higher education exchange not only deepens people-to-people ties but also lays groundwork for the future establishment of a Chinese university in Hungary. As Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó put it, “We already offer formal Chinese language education from primary to secondary school. We now look forward to having a Chinese university in Hungary to further strengthen this cultural bridge.”