Balázs Hankó: The Rákóczi College may become a university next year

The Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education may become a university next year, Minister Balázs Hankó of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation announced on March 22 at the Perényi Cultural Mansion during the Köbüki Talent Management Teacher Scholarship awards ceremony.

“We all long for and await peace, for our daily lives to return to normal, so that our youth and families can live in safety and security. When we proclaim the unity of the Hungarian nation, we are simultaneously helping and supporting every Hungarian family and young person who represent and signify the future and strengthening of our nation. That is why, when we launched the 2030 program for Hungarian colleges and universities in the Carpathian Basin, our goal could be nothing less than ensuring a future for Hungarian youth and talents,”

he emphasized.

He also emphasized that the first stop of this program was chosen to be Beregszász because, when thinking about Hungarian higher education institutions, it is clear that “we arrive first at the place that faces the greatest challenges, that asks for and can provide the most support—namely, Beregszász, at the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education.” He added that Rákóczi College is not just an institution but a key pillar of the Hungarian nation and a cornerstone of its strengthening. It brings together young people and college students, supports Hungarian-language educational institutions in the region, helps schools, lyceums, vocational institutions, and continues talent development even in kindergartens.

“When we look at the college, our shared pride is that over the past five years, no fewer than 33 undergraduate and master’s programs have been launched. When we look at the college, we take pride in the fact that its network includes more than 2,000 young people. A key indicator of the renewal in recent years is that 70% of the faculty members hold academic qualifications. And if we position the college within the Ukrainian higher education system, we should indeed be proud that it ranks 112th among nearly 500 higher education institutions. Moreover, we should take pride in the fact that among more than 100 private higher education institutions, it is ranked among the top ten, specifically in 9th place. But when we plan for the future, because we believe in the future and in a return to normality, we must plan the future together. And there is no more glorious or noble goal than setting the objective for next year, the 350th anniversary of Ferenc Rákóczi’s birth, for Rákóczi College to become a university. Therefore, we will provide all the support—through doctoral schools, research and innovation grants, and support for both teachers and students—so that the college can achieve its goal of becoming a university,”

he concluded by adding that they could never be grateful enough to the institution for maintaining Hungarian-language higher education in Transcarpathia despite the difficult circumstances.

K. A.

  The Köbüki Scholarships were awarded at the Perényi Cultural Mansion Rákóczi Days at the College in Beregszász