Hungary keen to expand academic collaboration with DU

A Hungarian delegation has expressed interest in expanding academic and research collaboration with the Dhaka University (DU), including student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research initiatives and increased scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students seeking higher education in Hungary.

The delegation expressed the interest when paying a courtesy call on DU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof Abdus Salam, who is currently performing the routine duties of the vice-chancellor, at his office on Wednesday afternoon.

The delegation comprised Diana Daczi, counsellor for Science and Technology at the Embassy of Hungary in New Delhi, and Mohammed Sultanul Arefin, chief of staff at the Consulate of Hungary in Chattogram.

Diana Daczi said Hungary offers 140 scholarships annually to Bangladeshi students, covering study opportunities from undergraduate to postdoctoral levels. The scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, healthcare and living expenses, among other benefits.

She also said Hungarian universities offer more than 660 study programmes, highlighting the need to make better use of the available scholarship opportunities and encourage more Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in Hungary.

During the discussion, Prof Abdus Salam outlined the University of Dhaka's academic and research activities across various disciplines, including science, engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, biotechnology, genetic engineering, business studies, economics and social sciences.

He said these fields offered considerable opportunities for academic and research collaboration between DU and Hungarian universities.

Prof Salam said the two sides could strengthen cooperation through faculty and student exchange programmes, joint research projects, co-authored publications, international conferences, seminars and webinars.

He also stressed the importance of developing effective partnerships not only between universities but also between individual faculties and departments to establish more focused and sustainable academic cooperation.

Expressing her interest in strengthening academic ties, Diana Daczi said she was willing to facilitate communication between the University of Dhaka and Hungarian universities and help identify potential areas for collaboration.

Both sides expressed their commitment to exploring opportunities to expand educational and research cooperation and make international higher education opportunities more accessible to Bangladeshi students.