Interview with Dr. Zsuzsanna Zugor, Chancellor, Kodolanyi Janos University

12 Jun Interview with Dr. Zsuzsanna Zugor, Chancellor, Kodolanyi Janos University

Kodolányi János University (KJU) has built a strong reputation in Hungary and beyond for its applied sciences approach and international outlook. What sets KJU apart in today’s evolving higher education landscape in Central Europe?

Hungary’s higher education system still places a strong emphasis on theoretical, textbook-based knowledge, which often creates a gap between what students learn and what the modern workplace demands. At Kodolányi János University, we aim to bridge that gap by aligning more closely with students’ real-world needs. This challenge isn’t unique to Hungary — many Central and Eastern European countries, including Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia, face similar issues.

Our partners often share concerns that practical, hands-on training is being overshadowed by traditional academic approaches, leaving graduates less prepared for the demands of today’s job market. As a private university, we are not bound by the same government structures as public institutions, which allows us to adapt our curriculum more quickly and respond to changing industry needs. This flexibility is one of our strengths. In Hungary, university accreditation is still handled by a single government office that hasn’t significantly modernized in the past two decades. As a result, many universities are held to outdated standards from the 1990s or early 2000s, creating a disconnect between academic training and workplace requirements.

KJU was founded 31 years ago to offer more opportunities for students who couldn’t access state universities during Hungary’s transition period. As a private institution, we aimed to make higher education more accessible. The model worked well for two decades, but recent government funding cuts and the impact of COVID-19 brought challenges. Today, we are focused on rebuilding and continuing our mission to expand access to education, with minimal barriers. The hybrid model now adopted by many formerly state-funded universities — mixing autonomy with some government influence — is something we have followed for over 15 years. We have received positive feedback from both the government and peers, recognizing our approach as forward-thinking and practical. In some ways, we are ahead of larger institutions in this transition and are eager to support them in expanding access to higher education.

KJU was among the first institutions in Hungary to adopt e-learning and modular teaching formats. How has the university continued to innovate in digital education and what role does technology play in its strategic direction today?

Even before the pandemic, we had a strong online presence out of necessity — we had students from across the globe, including Australia, the US and Asia. We had already invested in e-learning platforms, which made the shift during COVID-19 seamless for us. Today, our challenge isn’t online learning, it’s bringing students back to campus. Many prefer the comfort of logging in from home, but certain classes, like media production, require hands-on participation. We are now focusing on making in-person learning more engaging and interactive — not just lectures in rows, but dynamic, practical experiences. Our goal is to balance strong online tools with meaningful on-campus interaction.

Internationalization is clearly a priority at KJU, with more than 260 partner institutions across 36 countries. How do you ensure that these global partnerships translate into tangible opportunities for students?

We are proud to have close partnerships with nearly 100 universities worldwide. Unlike some institutions, we ensure that credits from mobility programs like Erasmus are fully recognized, so students don’t lose time in their studies. We prioritize student wellbeing and support both short-term exchanges and full-semester programs. Our strong online platform also allows students pursuing double degrees to study abroad while staying connected to our curriculum. We believe real international experience — living and learning in another country — offers lasting value and we encourage students to return with new perspectives and skills that enrich both their careers and our academic community.

How is the university approaching the North American market? Do you have partners in the US and are you planning future collaborations?

We are eager to build more partnerships with North American universities. Over the past year, we have connected with four — three in the US and one in Canada — and established relationships with Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania. Thanks to support from the US Embassy, we are expanding outreach for student and faculty exchanges. Our goal is to align more closely with American teaching practices so USstudents feel at home here and Hungarian students are better prepared for study abroad.

We hope to eventually collaborate with Ivy League institutions like Harvard, while continuing to adapt to cultural and academic expectations on both sides. We have already welcomed professors from Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania to our Budapest campus for guest lectures. They felt at home here, which is very encouraging. Our next goal is to expand these visits and begin hosting exchange students, giving them a chance to experience both Hungary and our teaching approach at Kodolányi University.

We currently have 85 international students and interest is growing, however, strict immigration procedures and visa delays remain a major bottleneck. Many students want to join us but the bureaucracy can slow the process and discourage applicants. We hope these hurdles ease soon to support more exchange opportunities.

What are the key administrative and investment decisions that have enabled KJU to scale while maintaining quality and adaptability in such a competitive sector?

Founded in the 90s to meet high demand, our university had ample space and staff, however declining student numbers and the pandemic forced tough decisions: we reduced faculty and limited admissions due to infrastructure needs. We also restructured our Budapest and Székesfehérvár campuses to cut costs and improve sustainability. Though the pandemic was a major setback, we have survived and are optimistic about the future. Our ambitious goal is to integrate lifelong learning by creating a seamless education path from primary school through university, all under the Kodolányi name. We already have a partner high school in Székesfehérvár where we are renovating buildings and planning to build a full campus. The idea is for children to start at age eight in primary school, move to high school, then transition smoothly to university, all in close proximity and with consistent standards. This model would help us better understand student progression and manage enrollment, aiming to keep university numbers around 6,000.

While starting in Székesfehérvár, we hope to expand this model to our Budapest campus in the future. Our focus is on offering a safe, continuous learning environment where students grow within the Kodolányi community. Unlike many other universities, the Székesfehérvár campus currently has no student housing. We plan to build dorms, partly funded by the government, to offer students a safe, all-around living and learning environment. This would help reduce the high cost and stress of finding housing, allowing students to focus more on their studies instead of juggling jobs to cover rent and expenses. We believe this is a crucial part of supporting students today.

What is your final message?

Hungary is a small country, not a global superpower like the US or Canada. Over the years, we have learned to be flexible, acting as a bridge between East and West. Because of this, we can accommodate diverse needs and work well with different partners. If you think Hungary is too distant, know that we are very welcoming and adaptable. We would be happy to discuss any concerns and find solutions to help you visit.