On October 24, Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, Rector of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), hosted Dr. Rysbek Nurgaziev, Rector of the Kyrgyz State Agricultural University (KNAU), in Gödöllő. During their professional dialogue, the two leaders explored potential future collaborations between their respective institutions.

Dr. Gyuricza reaffirmed MATE’s commitment to fostering joint initiatives and actively supporting efforts that enhance cooperation between the two universities. The discussions identified collaboration opportunities in horticulture, field crop propagation, and breeding, as well as in livestock farming and the development of joint academic programs.

During the Kyrgyz delegation’s visit to the Szent István Campus, Dávid Békési, Director of International Relations, and Dr. Gergő Péter Kovács, Deputy Director for Education at the Institute of Crop Sciences, presented MATE’s operations, educational and research capabilities, and key achievements. They focused on areas such as crop production and plant protection, where future partnerships could be established. Additionally, Laura Egresi from the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) introduced the activities of the Drought Prevention Institute, operating under the Organization of Turkic States, whose first project is set to launch in Kyrgyzstan.

​​​​​​The delegation also met with Tibor Tóth, Managing Director of MATE Agrárcsoport Kft., and Róbert Laczkó, CEO of the Vegetable Research Institute Zrt., to discuss Hungary’s potential involvement in KNAU’s state-of-the-art training facility, scheduled to open in spring 2025. This facility, designed primarily for seed production, will also serve as a platform for demonstrating crop production technologies and plant varieties. Dr. Nurgaziev highlighted MATE’s transition to an entrepreneurial university model as exemplary and expressed a desire to adapt this approach in Kyrgyzstan.

​​​​​​As noted during the discussions, MATE has significantly strengthened its international connections with Kyrgyzstan since its establishment in 2021. The university has preserved and expanded the partnerships previously established by its predecessor institutions, following a strategy of internationalization. While historical collaborations with Kyrgyzstan focused on areas such as hydropower and water management, MATE has pioneered active higher education partnerships with the country since its founding.

The two universities’ leaders also discussed plans for a dual-degree master’s program between MATE and KNAU. This program would include student exchanges, joint training initiatives, and collaboration in agricultural economics and seed selection, further enhancing academic and technical cooperation between the institutions.