{"id":34370,"date":"2022-10-15T09:22:13","date_gmt":"2022-10-15T07:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/english\/?p=34370"},"modified":"2023-11-21T09:15:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T08:15:10","slug":"focus-on-international-cooperation-rectors-assembly-at-semmelweis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/english\/2022\/10\/focus-on-international-cooperation-rectors-assembly-at-semmelweis\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus on international cooperation \u2013 Rectors\u2019 Assembly at Semmelweis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rectors, Vice-Rectors and other leading representatives of all EUniWell universities came together for the fourth time in Budapest from 13 to 14 October 2022. On the occasion of the concurrent European Universities\u2019 Assembly, Semmelweis University also hosted high-ranking Hungarian ministry representatives as well as leaders of other European University Alliances.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 4th EUniWell Rectors\u2019 Assembly brought together 75 delegates from all nine EUniWell partners for a unique programme and intensive exchange at Semmelweis University in Budapest. Coinciding with this meeting, Semmelweis University hosted the European Universities\u2019 Assembly and EUniWell Mental Health Symposium, thereby widening the strategic and topical scope of international exchange on European higher education in the context of the European Universities Initiative.<\/p>\n

Among the diverse, high-level programmes of the two-day event were a number of sessions dedicated to strategic exchange on key topics such as governance, student engagement and the forthcoming proposal for the 2023 Erasmus+ European Universities call.\u00a0 One central event of the EUniWell Rectors\u2019 Assembly was the signing of the EUniWell Open Education Declaration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

European Universities\u2019 Assembly<\/strong><\/p>\n

In cooperation with the Tempus Public Foundation, Semmelweis University also invited nine rectors of Hungarian universities participating in European University Alliances as well as the\u00a0Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation, J\u00e1nos Cs\u00e1k, and the Hungarian Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mikl\u00f3s Lengyel, to a European Universities\u2019 Assembly. The aim of the event was to bring together leaders from relevant Hungarian ministries and universities participating in the European Universities Initiative to consider how to address the challenges facing the European Education Area, and to improve the quality and strength of European higher education.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opening the meeting in the Semmelweis Salon, Professor Mikl\u00f3s Kellermayer<\/strong>, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, welcomed the guests of the Assembly and emphasised its purpose and relevance: \u201cThe aim of today\u2019s meeting is to map EUniWell strategies, discuss experiences and challenges of the European Universities Initiative and the future of the European Higher Education Area.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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In his welcoming speech, Hungary\u2019s Minister of Culture and Innovation, J\u00e1nos Cs\u00e1k<\/strong>, focused on the topic of well-being in the context of current events. The Minister commented on the timeliness of the conferences stating: \u201cI love the idea of the European University for Well-Being. A holistic focus on well-being can help people develop peace and security, help people develop their attachments and sense of belonging, and empower them to be self-sufficient. \u00a0Semmelweis University, as the host institution, provides a special venue for this event because the courses offered by this university combine training for mind, body and soul.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Minister also pointed out that Semmelweis University has again moved up in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) world rankings: it is now\u00a0in the top 250<\/a>\u00a0and it is a leader higher education institution in Central and Eastern Europe. \u201cThis proves that institutional reforms are working. I really look forward to further cooperation, and hope that the current discussions will lead to a fruitful exchange of views,\u201d the Minister said.<\/p>\n

Professor B\u00e9la Merkely<\/strong>, Rector of Semmelweis University, pointed out the importance of international cooperation. Describing \u201cuniversities as guardians of the intellectual treasure of humanity\u201d, and highlighted the crucial role of well-being.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe role of Semmelweis University is unique within the consortium as we are both a specialised university and the only institution in a European capital. In our approach, well-being is generally seen in terms of both physical, spiritual and mental qualities, and we always make our decisions in this spirit,\u201d the Rector said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As an example, he referred to the charity concert of Semmelweis University\u2019s Medic Orchestra, organized for schoolchildren with disabilities and special educational needs a few days earlier. This event highlighted our convictions and values, and demonstrated our horizontal approach to fostering the link between science and society.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy now we have reached an important milestone in our joint venture, the EUniWell consortium. Today we are conducting discussions with the partner universities\u2019 leaders on legal entity, potential expansion, fruitful continuation, and re-application,\u201d Prof. B\u00e9la Merkely pointed out.<\/p>\n

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EUniWell Chief Development Officer Professor Beatrix Busse<\/strong> began her address by citing from the poem \u201eAn Ode We Owe\u201d by Amanda Gorman, noting its resonance with EUniWell\u2019s mission and vision as \u201cthe next generation urges us to take action now, and see the well-being of people and the earth on an equal footing, to join forces and do good\u201d.\u00a0 Against the backdrop of the current crises – the war in Ukraine, the energy and climate crises – she highlighted the value of connection, stating: \u201cWe shall continue to bring people together for and through well-being research, education and transfer, because we love what we do, because we are curious, because we are people who fight for and are united in the belief of freedom of science, democracy, rationalism, humanity and love for the other; all of which \u2013 I\u2019m convinced \u2013 will help to restore a peaceful, democratic and sustainable society, and our planet of well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Mikl\u00f3s Lengyel<\/strong>, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, highlighted the\u00a0Stipendium Hungaricum<\/a>\u00a0program, in which 29 Hungarian higher education institutions participate, as a good example of internationalization.<\/p>\n

Since its launch in 2013, tens of thousands of foreign students have had the opportunity to study in Hungary with scholarships, and interest in the program has been growing every year.<\/p>\n

Mikl\u00f3s Lengyel said that the program has a positive impact on research and development and plays a major role in improving Hungarian competitiveness.<\/p>\n

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Dr. K\u00e1roly Czibere<\/strong>, President of the Board of Trustees of the Tempus Public Foundation, stressed that international cooperation must be present in all activities of higher education institutions.<\/p>\n

As he said, a good example is the Erasmus+ programme, which is a success story not only for the European Union but also for the Tempus Public Foundation.<\/p>\n

One of the main objectives of the program is to achieve the European Education Area by 2025. It will be open to an even wider range of people than before, with increased accessibility and more flexible forms of mobility, supporting the development of innovative approaches and promoting green and digital solutions.<\/p>\n

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The founding members of EUniWell are University of Birmingham (UK), University of Florence (Italy), University of Cologne (Germany), University of Leiden (The Netherlands), University of Linnaeus (Sweden), University of Nantes (France), Semmelweis University<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Attending Rectors and Vice-Rectors of the<\/strong> <\/span>EUniWell consortium<\/strong>: <\/span><\/p>\n

Rector <\/span>Adam Tickell<\/strong> from the University of Birmingham, Rector <\/span>Axel Freimuth<\/strong> from the University of Cologne (virtually), Rector <\/span>Alessandra Petrucci<\/strong> from the University of Florence, Rector <\/span>Hester Bijl<\/strong> from Leiden University, Vice Rector <\/span>Ann-Charlotte Larsson<\/strong> from Linnaeus University, Rector <\/span>Jos\u00e9 Luj\u00e1n Alcaraz<\/strong> from the University of Murcia, Vice Rector <\/span>Olivier Grasset<\/strong> from Nantes Universit\u00e9, Vice Rector <\/span>Kseniia Smyrnova<\/strong> from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Vice Rector <\/span>Dorothea Debus<\/strong> from the University of Konstanz<\/span><\/p>\n

Chief Student Officer of the EUniWell consortium, Lotte Nagelhout<\/strong>,<\/p>\n

Attending Rectors, Vice-Rectors and representatives of the Hungarian partner universities of<\/strong> other European University Alliances<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Rector L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Borhy<\/strong> from E\u00f6tv\u00f6s L\u00f3r\u00e1nd University representing CHARM-EU; Vice Rector J\u00f3zsef Betlehem<\/strong> from the University of P\u00e9cs representing EDUC; Director D\u00f3ra Fekete<\/strong> from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics representing EELISA; Dr. Zsuzsanna Tarr<\/strong> from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences representing EUDRES; Vice Rector M\u00e1rta Sz\u00e9ll<\/strong> from the University of Szeged representing EUGLOH; Rector Istv\u00e1n Er\u0151s<\/strong> from the Hungarian University of Fine Arts representing EU4ART; Rector Zolt\u00e1n R\u00e1t\u00f3ti<\/strong> from the University of Theatre and Film Arts representing FILMEU; Vice Rector L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Csernoch<\/strong> from the University of Debrecen representing NEUROTECH; and Vice President Eszter Luk\u00e1cs<\/strong> from Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University representing RUN-EU<\/p>\n

Further attendees of the Rectors\u2019 Assembly included:<\/strong><\/p>\n