The historic Festetics Palace in Budapest opened its doors to welcome outstanding scholarship holders, university representatives, and distinguished guests for the Stipendium Hungaricum Gala — an evening dedicated to recognition, inspiration, and community. The event celebrated the achievements of international students studying in Hungary and honored their remarkable contributions to academic and cultural life.

Honoring Success, Building Connections

The Gala marked one of the most anticipated moments of the academic year — a celebration of excellence and perseverance. The evening began with a warm welcome to the guests, followed by inspiring speeches that reflected on the program’s global impact and the shared values that unite the Stipendium Hungaricum community. Representatives of Hungarian higher education institutions were also present as distinguished guests, expressing their pride in the achievements of their international students and their commitment to supporting a diverse, high-performing academic community.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Ádám Imre Szűcs, Deputy State Secretary for Training, Scholarship Programs, and Science Diplomacy, highlighted the power of education as a bridge between cultures and praised the students’ dedication to becoming ambassadors of knowledge and friendship. Following his speech, Richárd Bodrogi, Director General of the Tempus Public Foundation, emphasized the importance of providing a safe and culturally rich environment for students coming to Hungary from all around the world. He also highlighted Hungary’s proud scientific heritage, recalling the country’s Nobel Prize laureates as inspiring examples of how dedication, curiosity, and perseverance can lead to world-changing achievements.

Furthermore, one of the awardees, Ernesto Romeu Pereira from Angola, delivered the student speech, addressing many of his peers in the audience. Ernesto is a three-time recipient of the Stipendium Hungaricum Hungarian Excellence Award, an exceptional achievement he earned while continuing his studies at the University of Nyíregyháza, where he is pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. In his speech, he spoke about the journey that led him to Hungary, the unwavering support of his family, and the deep gratitude he feels for the academic opportunities he has received throughout his studies here.

Celebrating the Scholarship Holders

The heart of the evening was the award ceremony, where exceptional students were recognized for their academic achievements, leadership, and community engagement.

In 2021, the Stipendium Hungaricum Student Excellence Award was introduced, and this year marks the fifth occasion that the award has been presented.

In addition to the Student Excellence Award, three years ago the Stipendium Hungaricum Hungarian Excellence Award was established to recognize scholarship holders who pursue full-degree programmes in Hungarian or have completed a Hungarian language preparatory course.

The awardees were nominated by their higher education institutions based on their outstanding academic performance and their contribution to the development of the international Stipendium Hungaricum community.

This year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Tempus Public Foundation were proud to honour 48 outstanding students from 25 higher education institutions across 32 countries. The awards were presented across three main categories, and to make the ceremony even more personal, each awardee’s motto was shared during the announcement.

STEM+ Category – Exploring today, shaping tomorrow.

With 20 awardees, this category aims to recognize students excelling in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as interdisciplinary fields that combine research, innovation, and problem-solving.

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts Category – Understanding who we are. Inspiring who we can be.

Honoring excellence in social studies, arts, and humanities, highlighting creativity, cultural understanding, and contributions to human knowledge, 16 outstanding students were awarded.

Stipendium Hungaricum Hungarian Excellence Award – Mastering language, widening perspectives.

Celebrating outstanding achievement and dedication not only in learning the Hungarian language, but also in completing their academic programs entirely in Hungarian, 10 exceptional students were awarded at the gala.

Each award reflected not only individual success but also the collective strength of an international community striving for excellence in Hungary. Through heartfelt speeches and moments of applause, the Gala captured the spirit of the Stipendium Hungaricum Program — empowering global talent, fostering intercultural dialogue, and building lasting bonds between Hungary and the world.

An Evening of Elegance and Celebration

After the formal program, guests enjoyed a festive dinner in the grand halls of the Festetics Palace. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, music, and celebration — a true reflection of the diverse and vibrant community that defines the Stipendium Hungaricum experience. Conversations flowed easily as students, mentors, and partners came together to share memories, laughter, and future aspirations.

The evening reminded everyone that beyond academic success, it is the shared experiences, friendships, and cultural exchange that make the Stipendium Hungaricum journey truly unforgettable.

Celebrating Excellence Beyond the Gala

The 2025 Stipendium Hungaricum Gala was not only a moment of recognition but also a celebration of the spirit of achievement that defines our community. And as a new feature, you can now explore the success stories of this year’s outstanding awardees on our new page dedicated to excellence.

This digital showcase highlights the exceptional scholarship holders who have demonstrated academic distinction, innovation, and community involvement throughout their journey in Hungary. Each profile reflects a story of perseverance, passion, and global connection — values that the Stipendium Hungaricum Program proudly upholds.

We invite you to discover their accomplishments and be inspired by the diversity and dedication that make our scholarship community truly extraordinary.

Visit the “Awardees of Excellence” page and celebrate their success with us!

Take a look at all the event photos!

Here’s to the scholars who inspire, achieve, and connect — congratulations to all, and cheers to another year of excellence in Hungary!