In a significant step toward expanding academic and cultural collaboration, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Mr Nadeem Mahbub, met with His Excellency Dr Zoltán Varga, Ambassador of Hungary to Pakistan, at the HEC Secretariat to discuss ongoing and future cooperation under the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations in higher education, research, and cultural exchange. Mr Mahbub lauded Hungary’s sustained support for Pakistani students and expressed optimism about the continued growth of the partnership. It was agreed to activate the Alumni Association of Pakistani scholars who studied in Hungary to enhance academic linkages and people-to-people connections.
A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed soon for the 2026–2028 term, under which 1200 Pakistani students will pursue higher education in Hungary through the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme.
The meeting also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in cultural and heritage sectors, as well as potential partnerships between the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference and Pakistan’s Vice Chancellors’ Forum to foster academic exchange and institutional cooperation.
Related: Qatar-Pakistan Pact Fuels Skills Development Drive
Since the launch of the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme in 2015, more than 1400 Pakistani students have benefited from scholarships to study at leading Hungarian universities. The initiative continues to serve as a cornerstone of Pakistan–Hungary relations, promoting educational exchange, mutual understanding, and lasting academic cooperation.