Katalin Novák: One of Hungary’s most important resources is its educated workforce
The state – which acts as the main patron of the Stipendium Peregrinum scholarship program of the National Talent Center and as an instructor at the program’s selection camp in Balatonszárszó from Friday to Sunday – noted that Hungarian talent management is one of the five priority areas in which he deals as president of the republic.
The Stipendium Peregrinum (Stipi) is a scholarship for door-opening young people, for those who have already proven that their knowledge is valuable on a global level, and that they have the necessary diligence and humility to use their talents for the benefit of our nation, he added.
He pointed out that for the third year, since the start of Stipi, he has spent three days with the young campers so that they can get to know each other personally and get a sense of the road, they are studying with a scholarship at one of the best universities in the world.
Krisztina Lantos, the executive director of the National Talent Center, reported at the press conference held on the spot that the program supports outstandingly talented young people who have been admitted to the world’s most prestigious universities for the third year now.
This year, 49 out of 152 applicants can participate in the camp, where they will try to get the most out of themselves with the help of instructors who are among the spiritual leaders of Hungary and who are also role models, he added.
He indicated that the students “take them to the limits of their performance” with tasks performed in the framework of individual and group sessions, during which they can show what they are capable of and how quickly they can prepare and respond to a challenge.
Krisztina Lantos pointed out that from the available HUF 250 million, up to 25 talents can be granted a study, which includes tuition, living expenses, travel, and even participation in an international conference. The winners are decided by a committee of university professors.
Currently, 47 students are studying abroad as Stipendium Peregrinum scholarship holders, and a decision was made recently to support 35 of them, he said.
In response to the executive’s question, he said: the beneficiaries undertake to do voluntary work already during their studies. They can choose from ten options, one of which is to get admission in their previous school about their experience abroad. test, after their studies they work in Hungary for the same amount of time as they received support.
Krisztina Lantos believed: There is a consensus in Hungary that talent and excellence are common values. “It is important that we have common causes that we believe in unconditionally, we at the talent center believe in talent, that investing in talent is in the future, and if we do our job well, Hungary will become richer and more open with the help of talent,” he said.
The managing director explained: the motto of the National Talent Center is that the talent who is able to develop the knowledge and abilities inherent in him is sure to make him happier and society richer.
Opera singer Erika Miklósa, the instructor of the selection camp, told reporters that she would like to pass on her experiences gained “around the world” to the students, and she also receives a lot from the intelligent, versatile young people during her work.
Olympic champion fencer Emese Szász-Kovács said that he encourages the students to believe in their ideas and fight for them even if there are obstacles and failures on the way to it. “You may not succeed at everything at first, but believe that you can reach your goal,” he emphasized.
Levente Kárpáti, a student admitted to the international relations program at the University of Edinburgh, said that the reviewers are curious about who, what kind of personality, how they can work in a team. According to his words, he joined a good team in the camp, and the team members “build each other up constructively”. He indicated that he would like to work in the diplomatic field after graduation.
Blanka Novák, who is studying pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati, talks about how she has been conducting research since she was 15 years old and wants to find effective solutions for the treatment of skin diseases in the future.
Opening photo: Noémi Bruzák