Budapest Metropolitan University at the EAIE Annual Conference: New Opportunities for International Collaboration

The Budapest Metropolitan University (METU) represented itself for the second time at the 35th annual conference and exhibition of the EAIE (European Association for International Education), held in Toulouse from September 17 to 20, 2024. The EAIE is a nonprofit organization specialized in promoting international higher education, attracting thousands of professionals each year and providing them with the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas on the development of international study programs.

Rich Program and Active Participation

The conference program was exceptionally rich, with over 240 different sessions and workshops, attracting more than 7,300 participants. The plenary sessions and thematic workshops addressed the latest trends and challenges. The education fair provided participant institutions with the opportunity to showcase their initiatives, ranging from marketing to staff development and student services, including Erasmus+ programs.

Strong Partnerships and New Opportunities

The goal of METU’s participation was not only to increase visibility but also to strengthen existing partnerships and seek new collaborative opportunities. Dr. Zsuzsanna Naárné Dr. Tóth, Vice-Rector for Education, and Fatima Weininger-Hollósi, Institutional Erasmus Coordinator, held successful discussions with representatives from other higher education institutions involved in the Erasmus+ program. As a result of these negotiations, METU will be able to expand its offerings, enabling students interested in mobility programs to choose from a wider range of programs that meet their professional needs in the upcoming application cycle.

METU did not only focus on traditional collaborations but also discussed opportunities for establishing new programs, such as the Blended Intensive Program (BIP), with its partners. During the conference, there was also an opportunity for exchanging experiences with representatives from other Hungarian institutions, which fosters the sharing of best practices.

Laying the Groundwork for Future Collaborations

During the conference, Budapest Metropolitan University (METU) not only built new relationships but also reinforced its role in international higher education. METU is committed to developing international relations to provide its students with richer and more diverse educational experiences, thus preparing them for the challenges of the global labor market and offering them the opportunity to enter the professional world with competitive knowledge. The EAIE conference was therefore not just an event, but a new beginning in the field of international collaborations, opening new horizons for future generations.