Amb Toru MORIKAWA gave a keynote speech at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme that took place from 20-22 November 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. His keynote focused on the idea of “Connectivity” and the crucial role ASEF has been playing to connect Asia and Europe. Amb MORIKAWA stressed how significant it is to improve connectivity through balanced student mobility and the role SH Programme plays to bridge the current imbalance in student mobility. In his words,
“ASEF just recently celebrated its 25-year milestone and the strong impact it created through connecting Asians and Europeans. As an institution that stands for fostering and celebrating connectivity, ASEF applauds the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme as it established itself as a beacon of P2P connectivity through international collaboration in education. We recognise and understand how profound this milestone is, and it should be celebrated! Congratulations to all of you who made this a very successful programme! In an era defined by interconnectedness and shared knowledge, this programme is not merely a scholarship; it is a testament to Hungary’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and nurturing the intellectual growth of students from around the world.”
You may read his full speech here: SH Keynote Speech by Amb Toru Morikawa
ASEF Education Department’s Director Ms Reka TOZSA and Senior Project Executive Ms Jyoti Rahaman were also invited to conduct a workshop on “Asia-Europe Education Process.”
Over 30 people from across the globe participated in the workshop. Throughout the workshop, they learned about the ASEM Education Process, various ASEM education initiatives as well as the ASEF Education Department’s projects that welcome participants, resource persons and partner to join in the upcoming years. The workshop particularly highlighted the impact ASEF creates through bringing Asians and Europeans together through education opportunities. After the workshop participants had shown keen interest to join ASEFEdu’s projects and appreciated the legacy ASEF is creating through its work.
The Stependium Hungaricum’s 10th Year Anniversary Celebration invitation to ASEF indicates that partners like Stipendium Hungaricum highly values ASEF’s contribution towards international education and global connectivity. International education opportunities are crucial for tackling global challenges and to find innovative solutions as such opportunities create strong community of innovators from around the globe.
About the SH Programme: During the past decade, the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme has become a brand, demonstrating Hungary’s commitment to supporting international education and cultural exchange.
The programme’s success is a testament to the quality and competitiveness of Hungarian higher education and the country’s commitment to science diplomacy. Through the programme, Hungary has significantly increased its international development commitments, making it a valuable tool for promoting development and growth in partner countries. The programme has also enabled Hungary to provide support and opportunities for students affected by the war in Ukraine through the Students at Risk sub-programme, showing its flexibility and adaptability in a time of need.
The SH programme plays a crucial role in strengthening bilateral relations not only between Hungary and partner countries but also between higher education institutions providing through international education opportunities. The programme has contributed to developing strong alumni networks, which serve as pillars for bilateral relations. This network provides a framework for former scholarship recipients to stay connected with Hungary, build new relationships, and create opportunities for future collaborations.
Find out more about ASEF’s Education Department here: https://asef.org/themes/education/
Find out more about SH Programme here: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/
Contact asefedu@asef.org to learn more about education projects!