University of San Carlos officers met with delegations from the Embassy of Hungary in the Philippines and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (referred to as MATE in Hungarian) yesterday, October 6, 2022.
Hungarian Ambassador, Her Excellency Dr. Titanilla Tóth, Ll.M., Hungarian Consul Zsolt Ipolyi-Keller, Honorary Consul for Cebu Enrilen Joy Benedicto-Tan, and Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, Rector of MATE, visited the University of San Carlos to establish avenues for future collaboration between the two universities. This was the second time this year Ambassador Tóth visited USC (see related story).
The Hungarian delegation was received at the SAFAD Creative Hub by University President Fr. Narciso A. Cellan Jr., D.Comm., Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D. (Vice President for Academic Affairs), and Brenette L. Abrenica, M.A.P.A. (Director, External Relations and Internationalization Office), and other University officers including Deans, Assistant Deans, and Chairs from various Schools. Hungarian national Br. Bela S. Lanyi, SVD, M.Arch., a faculty member of the Department of Architecture, also played a significant role in bringing USC to the attention of the Hungarian ambassador.
The discussion revolved around exploring potential exchange programs and partnerships designed to share knowledge between faculty members and students alike across both countries. Representatives from the different academic units presented a number of possible degree programs and fields of study that both institutions shared in common and may become starting points for collaboration. Specifically, there were suggestions for cooperation in the field of landscape architecture, nutrition and dietetics, civil engineering, design, environmental science, and natural science programs, as well as a number of opportunities for research projects between the two schools.
Dr. Gyuricza expressed his willingness to establish connections with the various departments of USC and MATE in these fields, stressing their importance to MATE’s focus on developing agriculture and improving standards of living.
“[These] can be very important points of cooperation for both of us,” Dr. Gyuricza remarked, in response to these suggestions. “We hope to engage in a stable, sustained partnership with [USC].”
The meeting culminated with an exchange of gifts between the Hungarian delegates and USC, along with remarks of gratitude from the Ambassador. “I was very touched to be received with such a warm welcome,” Dr. Tóth said in her closing statements. “[We know that] this is one of the most prestigious universities in the country, and we would like to celebrate the relationship between our countries with you.”
The year 2023 marks both the 75th anniversary of the University of San Carlos’ establishment as a University and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Hungary and the Philippines. Both parties expressed hope that these commemorations would also mark a beginning of a sustainable, mutually fulfilling partnership between USC and MATE as a testament to the friendship between their cultures. Fr. Cellan, stressing the theme of Education Across Lifespans, Cultures, and Nations of this academic year, stated in his speech that he would like to open doors to more international opportunities for the University, and contribute to building relationships with more schools outside the Philippines. “The university is going to push forward with its international collaborations… [we] hope that we will find more possibilities for collaboration,” Fr. Cellan said.
by Joshua Alec Gaboya, B.A. E.L.S. 4