Obuda University Joins Magna Charta Universitatum
The 2026 Anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum took place at Vilnius University and brought together representatives from more than thirty countries. The host university has a special link to Hungarian history: it was founded in 1579 by István Báthory, Prince of Transylvania, Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland. Obuda University is the first Hungarian higher education institution to be admitted since the exclusion of Hungarian universities from the Erasmus+ programme.
What is the Magna Charta Universitatum?
The Magna Charta Universitatum is a declaration of the fundamental values on which the mission of universities is based. It was first signed in Bologna in 1988, on the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world, by 388 rectors and university leaders from Europe and beyond. Its core principles are institutional autonomy, academic freedom in teaching and research, the inseparability of teaching and research, and the social responsibility of universities. In 2020, the document was revised to reflect the changes universities face in today’s world.
The signatories form a global community of more than a thousand higher education institutions. This community is supported by the Magna Charta Observatory, an independent organisation that promotes these values, monitors how they are upheld, and speaks up when they are under threat. Each year, the Observatory holds an international conference, known as the Anniversary, where new members formally sign the declaration.
An important international recognition
Joining the Magna Charta is especially significant for Obuda University. Several Hungarian universities have long been signatories and remain so today, but no new Hungarian institution had been admitted for some time. Following its return to the Erasmus+ programme, Obuda University is the first Hungarian university to join. The organisation accepted the university’s application after a detailed review, and Obuda University now joins the community as a full member. Its accession is an important international confirmation that the university meets the recognised principles of academic freedom.
“I consider it particularly important that, with Obuda University’s accession, we reaffirm our commitment to these fundamental principles and further strengthen our institution’s position in the international higher education community,” said Rector Levente Kovács. “I am convinced that this step will open new opportunities for developing our international relations and help ensure that our university remains an active participant in the global dialogue on higher education.”
During the visit to Vilnius, Obuda University also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH).
The Magna Charta Universitatum is a declaration of the fundamental values on which the mission of universities is based. It was first signed in Bologna in 1988, on the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world, by 388 rectors and university leaders from Europe and beyond. Its core principles are institutional autonomy, academic freedom in teaching and research, the inseparability of teaching and research, and the social responsibility of universities. In 2020, the document was revised to reflect the changes universities face in today’s world.
The signatories form a global community of more than a thousand higher education institutions. This community is supported by the Magna Charta Observatory, an independent organisation that promotes these values, monitors how they are upheld, and speaks up when they are under threat. Each year, the Observatory holds an international conference, known as the Anniversary, where new members formally sign the declaration.
An important international recognition
Joining the Magna Charta is especially significant for Obuda University. Several Hungarian universities have long been signatories and remain so today, but no new Hungarian institution had been admitted for some time. Following its return to the Erasmus+ programme, Obuda University is the first Hungarian university to join. The organisation accepted the university’s application after a detailed review, and Obuda University now joins the community as a full member. Its accession is an important international confirmation that the university meets the recognised principles of academic freedom.
“I consider it particularly important that, with Obuda University’s accession, we reaffirm our commitment to these fundamental principles and further strengthen our institution’s position in the international higher education community,” said Rector Levente Kovács. “I am convinced that this step will open new opportunities for developing our international relations and help ensure that our university remains an active participant in the global dialogue on higher education.”
During the visit to Vilnius, Obuda University also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH).
