The 1st Slovenian-Hungarian Rectors’ Conference was held in Koper, Slovenia
On the 23-24th of March, 2017, Slovenian and Hungarian rectors gathered to attend the 1st joint rectors’ conference, which was organized by the Hungarian and Slovenian Rectors’ Conference and hosted by the University of Primorska in Koper, Slovenia.
Besides the 17 Hungarian and 4 Slovenian institutions, the two nations’ ambassadors (H.E. Ksenija Škrilec, and H.E. Edit Bátorfiné Szilágyi) as well as the representatives of the responsible ministries attended the event. The Conference was opened by Dr. Maja Makovec Brenčič, Minister of Education, Science and Sport, followed by Dr. László Palkovics, Minister of State for Education. After the welcome speeches of the presidents of the national Rectors’ Conferences – Dr. Dragan Marušič and Dr. József Bódis – Peter Bolčič, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Koper greeted the attendees.
Fotó: Dr. Zoltán Dubéczi
During the morning section Dr. Dragan Marušič and Dr. Zoltán Dubéczi, Secretary General of the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference introduced the structure and function of their organizations, which was followed by the introduction of the higher education systems of the two nations, presented by Dr. László Palkovics and Stojan Sorčan, Director-General of the Directorate of Higher Education. The conference continued with the panel discussions about the higher education systems with a special focus on autonomy and funding, which was followed by three lectures on the Change of Strategy and Organizational Culture in Dynamic Environment by Dr. Balázs Heidrich, Rector of the Budapest Business School, the Higher Educational Model of the National University of Public Service presented by Dr. András Patyi, Rector, and the Education and Research in Engineering by Dr. János Józsa, Rector of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
During the afternoon section four Hungarian and three Slovenian representatives shared their thoughts on the potential areas of future cooperation, which was followed by the two presidents’ closing words. Both agreed on the success of the conference and on continuing to improve and enhance the cooperation between the two nations in the field of higher education.
