English
The 2nd Kyrgyz-Hungarian Rectors’ Forum in Bishkek Concludes with the Signing of 12 Cooperation Agreements
Following the first forum held in Hungary in 2023, the 2nd Kyrgyz-Hungarian Rectors’ Forum took place in Bishkek on 18–19 September 2025, hosted by Kyrgyzstan’s oldest higher education institution, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn. The forum and its related events brought together higher education leaders from both countries, who discussed topics such as internationalization, university reputation and rankings, as well as innovation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.
The forum was opened by Mr. Nurlan Omurov, Deputy Minister of Science, Higher Education and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic; Mr. Zsolt Maris, Chargé d’Affaires of Hungary in Kyrgyzstan; Dr. Dogdurbek Chontoev, Rector of the host university; and Dr. Béla Merkely, President of the Hungarian Rectors’ Conference and Rector of Semmelweis University. The Hungarian Rectors’ Conference delegation and its activities were presented by Dr. Zoltán Dubéczi, Secretary-General of the Conference, while several rectors and institutional leaders also delivered lectures on current challenges in higher education.
As part of the conference program, the Hungarian delegation, led by President Dr. Béla Merkely, visited several institutions, including the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, and the Kyrgyz Diplomatic Academy, where they gained insight into the operation and academic offerings of local universities.
The event aimed to strengthen professional dialogue and foster cooperation opportunities between Hungarian and Kyrgyz higher education institutions. This goal was successfully achieved with the signing of 12 cooperation agreements between universities of the two countries at the closing ceremony.
