University of Sopron Welcomes Azerbaijani Ambassador

During the welcome, Dr. Ákos Kozma, who has collaborated on several programs with the Ambassador, noted that the University of Sopron holds a prestigious position within Hungarian higher education. He described the institution as a symbol of openness and dynamism, embodying the core values that Hungary holds dear. Addressing Azerbaijani students directly, Dr. Kozma encouraged them to explore the country with open hearts and embrace the genuine hospitality and warmth that Hungary offers its international guests.

Ambassador Tahir Taghizade expressed deep satisfaction with the progress of their bilateral efforts, specifically pointing to the remarkable growth of the Azerbaijani student body in Sopron. He recalled that during his very first visit, only a single student from Azerbaijan was enrolled; today, that number has multiplied several times over. The Ambassador shared his hope that this trajectory of growth would continue well into the future under his successor’s tenure.

A particularly poignant moment of the day occurred when members of the university’s newly established International Peer Support Group received their adult education certificates. These trained student mentors will now provide direct, grassroots support to their international peers, further cementing the university’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community. 

The official program concluded in the university’s historic 100-year-old Botanical Garden. There, the delegation visited a plane tree planted in 2022 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Hungarian-Azerbaijani diplomatic relations. Rector Fábián emphasized that higher education serves as a vital bridge between cultures, noting that the memorial tree remains a living symbol of their friendship. He also highlighted the dual-degree agreement currently in place with the Azerbaijan Technological University as a key milestone in their deepening academic cooperation.

Reflecting on the symbolism of the tree, Ambassador Taghizade remarked that the current cooperation is the "fruit" of that planting, predicting that the relationship will eventually tower over others, much like the plane tree itself. Before departing, the Ambassador extended an invitation to the university’s leadership to visit Azerbaijan this autumn, expressing his belief that there is significant room to further expand the educational dimension of the Hungarian-Azeri partnership.