The first academic year of the Pannonia Scholarship Programme has concluded with notable success. At a press event in Budapest’s Nyugati Railway Station on 16 September 2025, government, university, and student representatives reflected on the achievements of the new mobility scheme, which has already supported more than 8,000 students and lecturers in gaining experience at leading universities worldwide. One quarter of these mobilities targeted institutions in the global top five percent, and one in ten within the top two percent. With continued state funding of HUF 10 billion, the programme will provide a stable foundation for future international exchanges. 

The Pannonia initiative complements Hungary’s broader internationalisation agenda, including efforts to enhance integration between international and Hungarian students. A recent national conference, organised by the Tempus Public Foundation with the support of the Stipendium Hungaricum and Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Programmes, brought together higher education leaders, faculty, and international coordinators to address this theme. With nearly 46,000 international students now enrolled at Hungarian universities—representing around 14% of the total student population—the question of how to build inclusive learning communities is of increasing strategic importance. 

Discussions highlighted that joint academic and extracurricular activities, mentoring, and inclusive teaching strategies foster intercultural competencies, language development, and employability for Hungarian and international students alike. At the same time, satisfied and well-integrated students serve as ambassadors for Hungarian higher education abroad, strengthening both institutional and national reputations. 

By linking mobility opportunities abroad with inclusive practices at home, Hungary is positioning its higher education system as an active participant in global knowledge exchange while investing in diverse, student-centred campus communities. The Pannonia Programme’s early achievements, alongside sustained efforts to improve integration, underline a shared commitment to long-term international cooperation and institutional development.