Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, recently visited Hungary at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. An important part of his visit was to Semmelweis University, where the discussions focused on expanding student exchange programs and strengthening cooperation in specialized medical fields, especially cardiology.
At Semmelweis University, the delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector, accompanied by Dr. Marcel Pop, Director of International Relations, and Tünde Czétényi, Foreign Affairs Executive. The meeting took place at the Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center on February 21, where Semmelweis University’s international engagement strategy and its dedication to building partnerships with institutions in regions like East Africa were outlined.
The Tanzanian delegation, led by Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, included Jumaa H. Aweso, Minister of Water and Irrigation, as well as Ambassador Hassani Iddi Mwamweta, and Swahiba H. Mndeme, Director of the Europe and Americas Department. The delegation expressed a strong interest in sending more Tanzanian students to Semmelweis University for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. Additionally, they explored the possibility of launching clinical observership programs, which would provide Tanzanian medical professionals with advanced training opportunities.
A major focus of the discussions was potential collaboration in cardiology, as Tanzania is home to one of East Africa’s largest cardiology centers. The delegation sought Semmelweis University’s expertise in developing the center’s capabilities, and as a potential first step, a Hungarian medical team would visit Tanzania to conduct an on-site assessment to evaluate specific needs and possible areas of cooperation. Another key topic was medical tourism, as Tanzania is considering sending patients to Hungary for advanced medical treatments.
Rector Béla Merkely reaffirmed Semmelweis University’s commitment to expanding its international relations, particularly in Africa, a region that has been underrepresented in the university’s internationalization strategy. The visit marked a significant step toward strengthening academic and medical ties between Tanzania and Hungary, laying the groundwork for future educational and healthcare collaborations.