Hungary is enticing Filipinos to study nuclear engineering to help provide possible energy solutions for the Philippines in the future.

During the 7th political consultations between the Philippines and Hungary in Budapest this week, officials encouraged interested Filipinos to avail of a scholarship once the application opens again.

“The Philippines thanked Hungary for continuing to provide educational opportunities for Filipino scholars to study in Hungarian universities via the Stipendium Hungaricum program, which annually allocates 35 slots for qualified Filipinos,” a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) readout dated September 30 said. “Looking into possible energy solutions for the Philippines in the future, Hungary encouraged Filipinos to study nuclear engineering under the scholarship program.”

Application for the Hungarian scholarship was last opened in November 2021 for Academic Year 2022-2023.

Aside from education, also discussed was the possibility of a bilateral labor agreement in response to the fast-growing number of Filipinos deployed to Hungary.

In addition, the two countries reviewed the status of pending deals on financial cooperation and transportation while looking into further utilizing existing agreements on agriculture and science and technology.

The DFA said the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional issues, including security situations in Southeast Asia, the South China Sea, and Europe.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Hungary’s Deputy State Secretary for Development of Eastern Relations Adam Stifter led the meeting held on September 26.

They were joined by Philippine Ambassador to Hungary Frank Cimafranca and officials of the Department of Fastest Growing Economies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (PNA)