On June 10, the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest welcomed a distinguished delegation of education experts from Sub-Saharan African countries. The group arrived in Hungary for a study tour organised by the MeOut Group and supported by the European Union. The objective of the visit was to provide participants – representing Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia – with firsthand experience of best practices in European higher education, particularly in the fields of agriculture and veterinary training.
The nearly 30-member delegation included sixteen veterinary professionals and twelve agricultural education experts. They showed strong interest in modern teaching methods, knowledge transfer models, and sustainable development strategies within their respective disciplines. Delegates represented esteemed institutions such as the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which play a pivotal role in developing agricultural education in their regions. The visit aimed not only to inspire professionally but also to explore practical adaptation opportunities – how Hungarian and European examples could be tailored to fit local contexts.
The day began with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Péter Sótonyi, Rector of the University, who gave a brief overview of the institution’s 238-year history. Following this, the guests toured the Small Animal Clinic, led by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Tibor Németh. The Clinic serves as one of the university’s key hubs for practice-oriented education, where students actively participate in veterinary care.
Next, Prof. Dr. László Ózsvári, Vice-Rector for Education, presented the university’s training structure. He placed special emphasis on competence-based education, hands-on skill development, and the support systems in place to help international students integrate successfully.
In the afternoon, Prof. Dr. Ákos Jerzsele, Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation, showcased the university’s research and development projects as well as its industrial and academic collaborations aimed at translating knowledge into practice. The day concluded with a presentation by Dr. Miklós Süth, who addressed current challenges in food chain safety and introduced integrated models that connect various stakeholders in the sector.
The visit of the Sub-Saharan professionals was both an honour and a valuable opportunity for the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest. It reflects Hungary’s meaningful contribution to global knowledge-sharing among agricultural experts and marks another step toward addressing today’s critical global issues in animal health and food safety through collective solutions.
The study tour was also supported by the World Veterinary Association, represented by Dr. Slaven Grbić, who accompanied the delegation. The four-member team from the organising MeOut Group ensured smooth coordination and execution behind the scenes.
