Hungary has begun recruiting new members for the boards overseeing its foundation-run universities as the government moves to meet European Commission conditions and unlock billions of euros in frozen European Union funding.
The Hungary University Governance Reform includes an open application process for positions on the boards of trustees and supervisory boards of public interest trusts, commonly known as PITs. These foundations were established under former prime minister Viktor Orbán and were given control over several public institutions, including universities.
The government intends to reform the existing system during a one-year transition period before replacing it with a permanent governance model. Education experts view the temporary approach as a practical way to address EU concerns within a limited timeframe while allowing more time to develop a long-term structure.
EU Funding Agreement Drives Changes
The reforms come after an agreement reached between the European Commission and the Hungarian government under the newly elected prime minister, Péter Magyar, in May. The agreement might allow access to EU funding worth €16 billion, which was withheld due to concerns about the rule of law during Orbán’s leadership.
The access to such funding is subject to several reforms that include the gradual abolition of the public interest trust. Consequently, the Hungary University Governance Reform will have an important role in proving the country’s progress in terms of transparency and accountability.
Instead of negotiating a new university governance framework in the period prior to 31 August, the government opted for changes in the existing system. The foundations will work temporarily until the creation of a permanent one.
Open Applications Aim to Increase Transparency
Hungary’s minister of education and children’s affairs, Judit Lannert, announced that the Hungarian education ministry had issued application procedures for members of the foundation board. Applications will remain open until 18 July, and the university senates will be involved in the assessment and ranking of candidates.
This new system is radically different from the system created by Orbán’s Fidesz government. The universities had no involvement whatsoever in the selection of foundation trustees and chancellors.
Gergely Kováts, associate professor at Corvinus University of Budapest and an expert in higher education governance, said involving university senates carries both symbolic and practical importance. The Hungary University Governance Reform signals greater respect for institutional autonomy while helping the government identify the large number of candidates required to form new boards.
More than 100 individuals may be needed to fill positions across the affected institutions.
New Boards Could Oversee the Transition
The new trustees can play an altogether different role from that of the old boards put in place by the previous government. Instead of wielding power in universities, the new board members may take care of the transition process from the foundation system.
It will be their job to supervise the universities while reforms are being made, examine the workings of the old board members, audit past governance, and ultimately dissolve the foundations.
Nonetheless, there is still doubt about whether people will want to apply for such short-lived jobs.
The Hungary University Governance Reform may also face scrutiny over the role of existing university senates. Current senate members will assess applicants for the new boards even though new senates are expected to be created later. In institutions where university management holds significant influence over senate decisions, concerns may emerge regarding the independence of candidate evaluations.
University Employees Welcome Reforms as an Interim Measure
While the Hungarian Academy Staff Forum, the organization representing the interests of employees at universities, supported the changes, it regarded them as just a first step toward the bigger picture.
In its opinion, the restoration of universities to be financed institutions of the state must be done through thorough consultations, among other things, with academic staff.
According to Viktor Olivér Lőrincz, President of HASF, this type of reform did not alter the financing mechanisms of universities, since these institutions had remained reliant on financing by the state while being outside certain restrictions imposed on state institutions.
The organisation believes the Hungary University Governance Reform must extend beyond appointing new trustees. Changes to university leadership, institutional structures, and accountability mechanisms may also be necessary to rebuild confidence in the higher education system.
Leadership Renewal Remains a Key Debate
However, Lőrincz suggested more fundamental changes to the leadership of the foundations and public universities as well. The restoration of decision-making capacity may be insufficient without leadership reforms.
There are concerns regarding the involvement of university leaders in the discussions about the participation of Hungary in Erasmus and Horizon Europe programs. It is necessary that governance reforms create an environment where university leadership acts according to the institutional and cooperation interest.
The future success of the Hungary University Governance Reform will mainly depend on the ability of the temporary changes to bring about any sustainable changes. Open recruitment of board members and strong university senate can only provide more transparency. However, it is the creation of the long-term governance model which will shape the future of Hungarian universities.
With the deadline for European funding at hand, there is a necessity to meet the requirements set by the European Commission and rebuild confidence in Hungarian higher education system.
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