The Embassy of Hungary in the Philippines successfully hosted the annual Stipendium Hungaricum Orientation and Alumni Day on July 30, 2026. The event brought together new scholarship awardees, alumni, representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and delegates from universities across the Philippines, marking the most successful edition to date. This year is especially significant as it marks the 10th year that Filipino students have been able to pursue higher education in Hungary through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship.
Dr. Gyula Mike, Chargé D’Affaires a.i., opened the program with welcoming remarks, underscoring the strong and evolving partnership between Hungary and the Philippines. Alumni played a central role by sharing practical advice and personal experiences to help new scholars prepare for their studies and life in Hungary, while they also organized fun games to help new students get to know Hungary and each other more before their departure.
The program also featured a scholarship and visa procedure overview, insights into student life, and presentations from the Association of Filipino Students in Hungary. A cultural highlight was the serving of kürtőskalács (chimney cone), a traditional Hungarian pastry, which added a warm and authentic touch to the celebration.
The event reaffirmed the growing interest in Hungarian higher education, with applications from the Philippines increasing significantly and 24 new scholarships awarded for the upcoming academic year.