The Embassy of Hungary in the Philippines hosted its annual Stipendium Hungaricum Orientation and Alumni Day last 30 July, bringing together new scholarship recipients, program alumni and academic representatives.

The event drew more than 50 participants, including representatives from 13 Philippine universities seeking academic partnerships and scholarship opportunities with Hungarian institutions.

For the first time, officials from the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) attended the gathering. Mabel Gutierrez, senior education program specialist for international affairs, and Nicolle Loterte, focal person for foreign scholarships and training programs, represented the agency, highlighting the growing educational cooperation between the two nations.

Gyula Mike, chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Hungarian Embassy, delivered opening remarks praising the developing partnership between Hungary and the Philippines.

During the program, Consul Károly Domonkos detailed scholarship benefits and visa procedures, while doctoral alumnus Joseph Yap shared guidance on student life in Hungary.

Vea Valdez of the Association of Filipino Students in Hungary outlined support networks available to incoming scholars. Attendees were also served kürtőskalács, a traditional Hungarian sweet pastry.

Filipino interest in the program has grown rapidly, with applications increasing six- to sevenfold in recent years and rising more than tenfold for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Currently, 55 Filipino students are enrolled in Hungarian universities, with 24 new scholarships awarded for the upcoming academic year.

Established by the Hungarian government in 2013, the Stipendium Hungaricum program offers fully funded study opportunities, including tuition-free education, monthly stipends, housing assistance, medical insurance and student discount privileges.

More than 11,000 international students from over 100 countries currently study in Hungary through the initiative, which offers access to 900 degree programs across 30 higher education institutions. More than 20,000 students have graduated under the program since its inception.