NRF Strengthens Bilateral Academic Ties at Hungary-South Africa Rectors' Forum

In a significant advancement for international higher education collaboration, the National Research Foundation (NRF) was honoured to participate in the inaugural Hungary–South Africa Rectors’ Forum, held in Budapest from 01 to 03 April 2025, at the invitation of Universities South Africa (USAf). Representing the NRF, Dr Gugu Moche, Dr Prudence Makhura, and Mr Michael Nxumalo formed part of the South African delegation. They engaged in strategic discussions focused on strengthening and the establishment of sustainable partnerships between higher education institutions in Hungary and South Africa.

The visit was strategically structured to promote meaningful engagement between university leaders and research administrators from Hungary and South Africa. Through a series of roundtable discussions and institutional visits, delegates gained valuable insights into Hungary’s higher education landscape and explored avenues for collaborative engagement. The primary objective was to lay the groundwork for sustainable partnerships that would mutually benefit the academic and research communities of both countries, with particular emphasis on joint research initiatives, scholarship opportunities, and capacity-building programs.

A significant highlight of the forum was Dr Moche’s presentation on the newly established Universities Networks Framework, developed by the NRF’s International Grants and Partnerships (IGP) department. This framework aims to foster connections and collaborative projects among South African universities and their global counterparts in alignment with the objectives of the Hungary-South Africa Rectors’ Forum. Such initiatives are expected to enhance international research collaboration and academic exchange.

In addition to its participation in the Rectors’ Forum, the NRF delegation held strategic engagements with Hungary’s Ministry of Culture and Innovation, specifically the Department of Science Policy and International Scientific Cooperation. These discussions focused on broadening avenues for bilateral collaboration and included the development of co-funding mechanisms and academic exchange programmes. Both parties acknowledged their strong foundation of cooperation, highlighted by 13 joint funding calls to date, and expressed a shared commitment to expanding collaborative efforts in key areas such as information and communication technologies (ICT), space science, health, and climate change.

Dr Moche also presented South Africa’s Presidential PhD Programme (PPP): a flagship initiative designed to cultivate high-level research talent in South Africa. The Hungarian counterparts expressed strong interest in engaging with the PPP, a clear indication of a commitment to the enhancement of academic and research partnerships.

Furthermore, the delegation explored opportunities for South African researchers to access Hungary’s Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI), internationally recognised as the leading laser-based research facility. ELI offers cutting-edge capabilities for research in the physical, chemical, materials, and medical sciences, and presents significant potential for collaborative scientific advancement.

The Hungary–South Africa Rectors’ Forum represents a pivotal moment in fostering international academic collaboration, with both nations demonstrating a strong commitment to deepen their partnership and advance shared research and education objectives.

For further information on the Forum please contact Mr Nxumalo on: MG.Nxumalo@risa.nrf.ac.za.