After the signing of a cooperation agreement between the institution and the Westpfalz-Klinikum in Germany in September 2024, Semmelweis University’s German relations were further strengthened with the conclusion of an agreement with the district (Landkreis) of Günzburg in Bavaria. As the first stage of the long-term partnership, the parties agreed that Landkreis Günzburg would cover the tuition fees of two German students at Semmelweis University.
The negotiations leading to the agreement started more than two years ago, in March 2023, with Dr. Alán Alpár, Vice-Rector for International Studies, on the Hungarian and Dr. Hans Reichhart, District Mayor of Günzburg, on the German side. According to the German authorities, around 40 percent of general practitioners in the Günzburg district are over 60. Many GP practices may be forced to close in the coming years unless a new generation of GPs takes over the practices. Local healthcare is already barely adequate, and the situation could deteriorate further without rapid countermeasures.
Günzburg is not the only district affected. Rural regions in Germany face a huge challenge in the field of medical care. Various programs have been launched by the Bavarian Ministry of Health, Care and Prevention and the Bavarian Ministry of Science and Art to counteract this. The agreement signed recently was one of the outcomes of these efforts.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Hans Reichhart, District Administrator of Günzburg; Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University; and Dr. Lívia Pavlik, Chancellor.
By signing this agreement, we are taking a significant step towards improving healthcare in the district of Günzburg by providing funding to suitable candidates who wish to study at the renowned Semmelweis University. Our common goal is to support more medical students in the long term, as this will enable the university to attract more applicants and the district of Günzburg to have more medical professionals. – Dr. Béla Merkely
In the long term, the partners intend to finance additional German medical students at Semmelweis University. This would further enhance the university’s prestige and increase the already high number of international students at the institution.
The more than 250-year-old Semmelweis University launched its German-language medical training in 1983, followed six years later by the English-language training. Over the past four decades, the ratio of international students and the range of international courses on offer have grown dynamically: More than a third of Semmelweis University students and over half of the students at the Faculty of Medicine come from outside Hungary, representing 129 countries.
Judit Szlovák – Directorate of International Relations
Translation: Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Photos by Bálint Barta – Semmelweis University
