Seychelles-Hungary agreement |22 October 2020

Dr Barallon (centre) and her delegation at the signing ceremony (Photo: Thomas Meriton)

10 Seychellois to benefit from scholarships in Hungary annually up to 2023

A memorandum of understanding between Seychelles and Hungary will see at least 10 Seychellois benefitting from scholarships on offer by the government of Hungary annually up to 2023.

The scholarships form part of the Stipendium Hungaricum programme which has been running since 2013, providing degrees at Hungarian universities to over 10,000 students from 70 countries so far.

Hungary is offering the scholarship to top performers at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the fields of medicine, agriculture, economics, science, social science and teacher training ‒ fields that are considered as national priority needs.

Potential applicants may start applying as soon as the online portal opens in mid-November for September 2021 intake.

The agreement was signed yesterday by the principal secretary for tertiary education and human resource development Dr Linda Barallon at the headquarters of the Ministry of Education for Seychelles. On the Hungarian side, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by secretary of state for the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy and the Stipendium Hungarian Programme, Dr Orsolya Pacsay-Tomassich, via video conference.

Also present were chief executive of the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD) Nadia Lauricourt, Dr Susan Fock-Tave representing the department of health and Lindy Ernesta from the department of foreign affairs.

Officials from the Hungary embassy also virtually witnessed the signing of the MoU from Nairobi, Kenya.

“In the past Hungary has been offering scholarships to Seychelles mainly in the medical field. We currently have seven students pursuing medical studies and before that five students have completed their studies in medicine, civil engineering, tourism and economics,” noted Dr Barallon.

“The Seychelles government will continue to support students who are awarded with a Hungarian scholarship with airfares and a supplementation allowance.”

“The scholarship programme offered by the government of Hungary, especially during a time of economic uncertainties brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, is testimony of the good collaboration that exists between the governments of our two countries,” added Dr Barallon.

Dr Pacsay-Tomassich on her part said the MoU further strengthens the Hungary-Seychelles bilateral ties and will allow the students to bridge the gap between the two countries.

The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme was established by the Hungarian government to promote the internationalisation of the Hungarian higher education and to attract top foreign students from all around the world who can establish personal and professional attachments to Hungary while enjoying high quality education in the heart of Europe.

While studying in Hungary, the students will also enjoy affordable living costs with great benefit-cost ratio, a safe and friendly living environment with convenient public transport, a vibrant cultural life, and several Unesco World Heritage Sites. When the graduates return to their home countries with marketable skills and knowledge, they can build civil, political and economic relationships, contributing to Hungary’s image and recognition abroad.

Elsie Pointe