Budapest Business School (BBS), Hungary's number one business university, educating 18,000 students, has signed a long-term co-operation memorandum od understanding with the European universities belonging to the ENVISAGE – (European University Network for ENVisioning Sustainable AGilE transition) network. The strategic alliance recently jointly applied for a grant of nearly 6 million euros within the framework of the ERASMUS+ European University Networks programme for the joint development of education, research, innovation and services to society. At the International Rectors' Meeting held recently at BBS, in addition to the ceremonial signing, the details of the co-operation were negotiated. In addition, participants had the opportunity to listen to expert presentations from the Hungarian members of three other European University Alliances about the experiences of their ongoing projects.
BBS deals with the issue of sustainability at a strategic level, which is of particular importance not only in its operations, but also in its education, as evidenced by the Responsible and Sustainable Company course, which is mandatory for all undergraduate business students. BBS is a founding member of several sustainability platforms, and this year it was the only university from Hungary to receive the PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) Champion title from this UN-supported sustainability initiative. The ENVISAGE European network membership is another opportunity for the university to implement these aspirations on an international level.
ENVISAGE – a strategic alliance of 6 European universities
The members of ENVISAGE - European University Network for ENVisioning Sustainable AGilE transition are the German HSW - Wismar University of Applied Sciences, the Polish Krakow University of Economics, the French ICN Business School, Nancy, the Portuguese Portucalense University, Porto, as well as the Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences, Tallinn and the BBS from Hungary. Recently, the strategic alliance jointly applied for nearly 6 million euros in support for the joint development of education, research, innovation and services to society within the framework of the ERASMUS+ programme's call for proposals of the European University Networks.
In the long-term co-operation Memorandum of Understanding signed today, the co-operation framework and future goals were determined. In response to global and European environmental and higher education challenges, the universities will implement a 4+4-year programme with developments aimed at education, research, innovation and services to society. For Europe's sustainable agile transition, they will work together in the following six areas: (1) business and entrepreneurship, (2) social impacts, (3) environment and energy, (4) digitilisation and technology, (5) regulation and compliance, and (6) ) culture, art and design. Joint programmes, summer universities, and the creation of joint research centers of excellence are also included in the plans.
"As the number one business university in Hungary and as the only Hungarian recipient of the PRME Champion title, we feel a responsibility to be the engine of European collaborations, through which we not only promote the development and sharing of international knowledge of our students, but also actively participate in the creation of a new international community," said Prof. Dr. Balázs Heidrich, rector of BBS.
At the International Rectors' Meeting recently organised at BBS, in addition to the ceremonial signing, the details of the co-operation were negotiated. In addition, participants had the opportunity to listen to expert presentations from the Hungarian members of three other European University Alliances about the experiences of their ongoing projects.
Signatories of the long-term co-operation letter of intent: Prof. Bodo Wiegand-Hoffmeister, rector of HSW – Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Dr hab., Prof. UEK Stanisław Mazur, rector of Krakow University of Economics, Prof. Krista Finstad-Milion, director of the Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour Department, ICN Business School Nancy, Prof. Fernando M. S. Ramos, rector of Portucalense University, Porto, Mait Rungi, DSc, rector of Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences, Tallinn and Prof. Dr. Balázs Heidrich, rector of Budapest Business School.