UNISA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Óbuda University in Hungary to boost collaboration in engineering and technology disciplines that are central to Unisa’s 10 catalytic niche areas. This follows a similar deal signed earlier in 2025 with Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary’s oldest and largest university.
The agreements were finalised during the Hungarian-South African Rectors’ Forum in Budapest, which took place from 31 March to 4 April 2025. The Hungarian-South African Rectors’ Forum is a platform created by Universities South Africa (USAf) in collaboration with the Hungarian Rectors’ Forum.
UNISA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Puleng LenkaBula and Dr Angie Magabane, Director for Internationalisation and Partnerships, participated in the forum, which brought together over 60 universities to strengthen academic ties. They also met with the South African Ambassador to Hungary, Gangumzi Tsengiwe, where discussions took place on topics about the relations between South African universities and their Hungarian counterparts.
South Africa and Hungary enjoy a strong relationship, particularly in education, with Hungary offering scholarships and supporting South African students through programs like Stipendium Hungaricum, and South Africa is seen as an important partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
Hungary’s support for South Africa dates back to the anti-apartheid era, with over 200 SA students graduating from Hungarian universities via the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme.
This partnership is expanding as Hungary holds the European Union (EU) Council Presidency and South Africa prepares to host the 2025 G20 Summit.
Prof Dr Levente Kovács, Rector: Óbuda University, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, and Dr Viktória Sugár, Vice-Rector: Sustainability and Strategic
Development, Óbuda University. Photo: UNISA
These engagements have the potential to open more opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing among academics and intellectuals from both countries.
The agreement with Óbuda University focuses on joint research in robotics, artificial intelligence, materials engineering, production design, and medical informatics, as well as student and staff exchange through EU-funded programmes like Erasmus+ and Hungary’s Pannonia Programme.
Speaking at the signing, Unisa’s Magabane emphasised that these partnerships will boost innovation in the university’s catalytic niche areas, namely Fourth Industrial Revolution and digitalisation, Energy studies, and Student support and co-curricular activities.
