UNG signs agreement with Hungarian university

The University of North Georgia (UNG) has signed an agreement creating a new partnership with the National University of Public Service (NUPS) in Budapest, only the third U.S. partner for the Hungarian university.

The agreement was signed by UNG President Bonita Jacobs and NUPS President Andras Patyi in a ceremony held May 12 on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. Administrators and faculty members from both universities were on-hand for the event.

NUPS, which has more than 8,000 students including active duty military and law enforcement in graduate courses, was formed in 2012 through the Hungarian government's merger of three separate educational institutions. The university's mission is dedicated to offering a comprehensive education in all areas of public policy and national security and offers degrees through doctorate level.

One of the goals of NUPS is to educate future career officers for the Hungarian army, an aspect shared with UNG as one of only six senior military colleges in the United States. The two universities also share common focus areas of international affairs and security, particularly cyber security.

"The relationship we are forming is beneficial for both universities, and there is a great deal of excitement about what we are going to be able to accomplish together," Jacobs said. "I look forward to a very long relationship that will provide new opportunities for students and cadets to expand their international understanding and advance the professional development of faculty and staff."

Patyi said the collaboration also will help advance the progress of his institution.

"Contracts and documents are only papers; it's not our signature that is important, but the mutual confidence and the belief in our cooperation and collaboration," Patyi said. "For our university and our nation, it is an honor to be here and to be engaged into the collaboration with your university."

The new partnership will include faculty and staff exchanges and exchanges and internships for students and cadets. Other opportunities for partnership include cooperation on scholarly publications through the University of North Georgia Press and collaboration with UNG's Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies.

UNG cadets Clay Carlton, left, and Zachary Chebat, right, tour the main Ludovika, Hungary, campus of the National University of Public Service with 1st Lt. János Csengeri, center. The two are the first from UNG to study at the Hungarian university through a new partnership between the schools.

This summer, two UNG cadets are taking courses at NUPS and Lt. Col. Csaba Bakos, the NUPS Faculty Fulbright Scholar, is a guest lecturer in UNG's Department of Political Science and International Affairs. Bakos is a NUPS faculty member and doctoral candidate who, as an officer in the Hungarian army, deployed with NATO and UN forces in the Balkans, Mediterranean and Afghanistan.

"The United States is a great nation and a great country; Hungary is a great nation but a small country. To my students I can bring a European perspective and a small state perspective," Bakos said. "The values of our two nations are the same and we share similar beliefs. … We have many interesting discussions in class and I hope that we can learn some things from each other."

Clay Carlton, a senior in international affairs with a Middle Eastern concentration, is at NUPS taking courses in military operations, strategic studies and politics.

"I hope to gain an understanding of Hungarian and European culture and its relation to the United States in the military," said Carlton, who is a major in UNG's Corps of Cadets. "I am curious how our strategies differ and correlate in terms of logistics, intelligence and information. I am hoping with this new information, and the cultural experiences abroad, I can further improve myself as a leader and an Army officer."

Zachary Chebat, a junior in business management is taking courses at NUPS in computer information systems, logistics and international relations.

"My primary goal for this trip is to make as many connections as possible, whether it be military or civilian, while representing the University of North Georgia," said Chebat, who is a cadet staff sergeant.