Changing values in Hungarian higher education

Author : Agnes TOLNAI

Abstract :Hungarian higher education has changed in recent years. The new public finance system of higher education focuses on indicators reflecting on the goals of policymakers (like certain research activities, drop-out rates or infrastructure). To meet these indicators, universities must find the best potential students, have strong links with enterprises and manage their portfolio. These factors pursue them to provide competitive knowledge and meet the needs of the potential market. This changing financial background turned the higher education institution into a kind of company with management-view. Religiously affiliated universities face the same challenges, while they have unique mission as well. Focusing on other values, their mission is to develop the personality, support communities and talents or provide professionals for their organizations like schools, hospitals or think-thanks. Faculty of Pedagogy of the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary dates back for almost two centuries. Staff policy, curriculum development, research topics and third mission have roots in the protestant theology that differs from the new management-view. Comprehensive research asked recent students of the Faculty about their value identity. Their answers pointed out that religious values are more important than new, indicator-driven ones for those as well, who did not choose the university for the religious content. Religious content also has a seat at the table beside modern values in changing Hungarian higher education.

Keywords :Higher education, religious values, Hungary, religiously affiliated universities.

Conference Name :International Conference on Education, Learning and Management (ICELM-25)

Conference Place Toronto, Canada

Conference Date 20th Aug 2025