There are several examples in Europe of active politicians being on universities' board of trustees, the finance minister points out. Continue reading
There is no threat to the continuation of the Erasmus+ education and Horizon Europe research programs, as applications for the calls for proposals are still open, said Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Regional Development, in a statement to MTI in Brussels on Wednesday.
The Minister said that he had held “compromise-seeking” talks with EU commissioners for education and culture Marija Gabriel and budget commissioner Johannes Hahn.
Mariya Gabriel and Joannes Hahn held talks with Tibor Navracsics.
He stressed that the 180,000 Hungarian students studying at universities run by foundations did not have to fear that they would be left out of the Erasmus programs. The same applies to the Horizon Europe research programs, he said; those universities currently participating in the research programs can continue their work and continue to apply.
Navracsics pointed out that the Hungarian government can address the concerns of the European Commission about universities run by public trust foundations. The Brussels body identified the fact that politicians sit on the boards of trustees of almost half of the 21 Hungarian universities as a problem, and that their mandate is open-ended. The Minister stressed that this is not an obstacle for the Hungarian government to change, and that it can be solved by two not very complicated legislative amendments, which are expected to be adopted by Parliament in March.
Featured photo via Facebook/Navracsics Tibor