Expanding Academic Horizons Through International Collaboration
The University of Debrecen recently hosted a delegation from the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), marking a significant step toward formalizing academic cooperation between Hungary and Hong Kong. This potential partnership promises to create new opportunities for student mobility, joint research initiatives, and faculty exchanges between the two institutions.
Strategic Academic Collaboration Takes Shape
During the January 2026 visit, EdUHK’s Vice President for Research and Development Chetwyn Chan led discussions with University of Debrecen leadership about establishing a comprehensive cooperation framework. The dialogue focused on several key areas:
- Joint research projects in education technology and cultural studies
- Faculty exchange programs for teaching methodology development
- Student mobility initiatives between Hungary and Hong Kong
- Collaborative PhD supervision opportunities
Submit your application for exchange programs when the partnership formalizes later this year.
Research Excellence and Educational Innovation
The Education University of Hong Kong brings impressive credentials to this potential collaboration. Despite being founded in 1994, EdUHK ranks among the world’s top 200 universities in the Times Higher Education rankings and holds 12th position globally in education-specific rankings.
Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Shared Focus
A particularly promising area of collaboration emerged around educational technology. Péter Csatár, Deputy Dean at UD’s Faculty of Humanities, highlighted the institutions’ mutual interest in:
- Developing AI applications for classroom instruction
- Creating adaptive learning systems
- Researching technology-enhanced teaching methodologies
Contact the International Office to learn how you can contribute to these innovative research projects.
Student Mobility Opportunities Between Hungary and Hong Kong
The proposed partnership includes substantial student exchange components:
Pannonia Excellence Scholarship Program
University of Debrecen doctoral students could access 1-6 month research opportunities at EdUHK through this established scholarship initiative. The program covers:
- Living expense stipends
- Research funding support
- Academic mentorship programs
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Program
EdUHK representatives proposed dual PhD supervision opportunities, allowing Hungarian students to benefit from academic guidance at both institutions while conducting comparative research in education and cultural studies.
Explore faculty research collaborations that could enhance your academic profile.
Pathway to Formal Partnership
Following successful negotiations, both institutions anticipate signing a formal cooperation agreement in spring 2026. This partnership would establish:
- The first Hungarian institutional partnership for EdUHK
- Structured exchange programs for undergraduate and graduate students
- Joint research publication initiatives
- Biennial academic conferences alternating between locations
Academic Leadership Perspectives
Gabriella Pusztai, Director of UD’s Institute of Education and Cultural Studies, noted significant overlap in research interests between the institutions, particularly in:
- Comparative education systems analysis
- Cross-cultural learning methodologies
- Language acquisition research
Attend upcoming partnership announcement events to learn about implementation timelines.
Next Steps for Students and Faculty
As the institutions finalize their agreement, interested parties should:
- Review existing exchange program requirements
- Identify potential research collaborators at both institutions
- Monitor official channels for application deadlines
Share this news with peers who might benefit from Hungary-Hong Kong academic opportunities.
This developing partnership between the University of Debrecen and Education University of Hong Kong represents a strategic expansion of Hungary’s academic networks in Asia. By combining EdUHK’s strengths in education technology with UD’s research capabilities in cultural studies and teacher training, the collaboration promises to create valuable opportunities for students and researchers at both institutions.
