Hungarian parliament has approved the transfer of several universities from the state to private foundations. The new structure will pave the way for 70 percent of students to pursue their studies under the new model from this autumn.
According to MTI, the cardinal law submitted by László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, received 134 votes in support and 59 votes against. The law on public interest asset management foundations lists a total of 32 foundations, of which 21 will be in charge of running higher education institutions.
Tamás Schanda, State Secretary at the ITM, said in the general debate of the bill that a strategy already drafted in 2016 was being implemented. He said that a more independent and autonomous form of organization would help universities integrate into the economy better, and, he added, their financial autonomy would be guaranteed.
The universities of Szeged, Dunaújváros, Pécs, Nyíregyháza and Debrecen, the Hungarian Dance Academy, the newly formed Tokaj-Hegyalja University, the Budapest University of Economics, the University of Physical Education, Semmelweis University and Rudolf Kalman University of Óbuda will be run by foundations. Five additional foundations have been set up for additional purposes, and the Eszterházy Károly University of Eger will be transferred to the Catholic Church.