This was te first time the diplomat, who represents his country in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia, had visited Debrecen and the University. His delegation met with Deputy Rector General Károly Pető and Director of Coordination and Strategy Okszána Kiszil, during which Ambassador Ian D.G. Biggs expressed his appreciation for the University of Debrecen for having more than 7,000 foreign students.
The university leaders also provided information on the role and activities of the International Education Coordination Centre and the wide range of English language courses on offer. Other topics discussed at the meeting were the almost 500-year history of higher education in Debrecen, the Confucius Institute, and research and development and related industrial cooperation, including with BMW and GE.
In the context of international relations, the Ambassador and his staff offered their assistance in establishing contacts with Australian higher education institutions.
During the visit, the guests were shown around the Main Building and the institution's historical monuments, as well as the unique university and national library.
Ambassador Ian D.G. Biggs also gave a lecture to students at the Institute of English and American Studies. The diplomat was invited to speak about cultural diplomacy, Australia's foreign relations and diplomatic tools for conflict management as part of the Master of Arts in American Studies course Practical Diplomacy.
The Institute of English and American Studies has been teaching and researching Australia's literature, history and culture for close to thirty years. Five Australian students are studying at the University of Debrecen, four at the Faculty of Pharmacy and one at the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Press Centre - TH
