Hungarian-American businessman and philanthropist George Soros has publicly reiterated his support for Budapest’s Central European University (CEU), stating that his Open Society Foundations will increase the university’s endowment.
“Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán has forced CEU to move its US degree courses to Vienna by making it impossible for CEU to issue American degrees in Budapest,” said Mr Soros.
“CEU is nevertheless determined to maintain both academic and public activities on its campus in Budapest and it has the full support of the Open Society Foundations and me personally in this endeavour.
“I therefore reiterate the commitment—made in June—that CEU has an assured future: the Open Society Foundations intend to increase CEU’s endowments.
“I should like to thank the perseverance and loyalty of the CEU community under the inspired leadership of its president and rector Michael Ignatieff in very difficult circumstances. I am also grateful for the steadfast support CEU received both from the Hungarian public and the global academic community. With their support, CEU has emerged as the beacon and symbol of academic freedom worldwide.”
CEU will officially launch US-accredited degree programmes in Vienna from September.
Add Comment