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A New Era in Turkish-Hungarian Scientific Cooperation

TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker was invited to Budapest by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) to mark the 200th anniversary of its founding. President Şeker was accompanied by Turkish Young Academy Representative Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mürsel Doğrul.

During the program, President Şeker and MTA President Prof. Dr. Tamás Freund renewed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two academies. The renewed protocol aims to encourage the sharing of knowledge and experience and research collaboration between scientists in Türkiye and Hungary. It also prioritizes contributing to the transformation of scientific studies into economic growth and social benefit.

Prof. Dr. Şeker stated that the agreement symbolizes not only its scientific importance but also the lasting friendship between Türkiye and Hungary, two countries linked by historical and cultural ties. He said that the cooperation between TÜBA and MTA has expanded through joint research, academic exchange programs, and scientific meetings. He stated that the renewal of the cooperation agreement opens a new chapter in scientific partnership and will therefore offer new opportunities. Prof. Dr. Şeker presented Prof. Freund with a copy of the book “Science Diplomacy for Global Challenges,” recently published by TÜBA as part of its Science and Thought Series.

Hungarian Turkologist Prof. Dr. István Vásáry was Awarded TÜBA Honorary Membership
At the meeting, which was also attended by Ambassador Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu, Turkish Ambassador to Budapest, and TÜBA Honorary Member Prof. Dr. Gabor Hamza, President Şeker presented Prof. Dr. István Vásáry with the TÜBA Honorary Membership certificate. Reminding that Prof. Vásáry is the recipient of the 2024 TÜBA International TÜBA Academy Award, Prof. Dr. Şeker expressed his pleasure at seeing this wise figure in Turkish-Hungarian relations as a TÜBA Member. He presented Prof. Dr. Vásáry with a copy of the Academy's recent publication, “The Historical Atlas of Turkic States,” which details Turkish history and includes maps of all Turkish states throughout history for the first time.

MTA Medal for President Şeker
During the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding, MTA President Prof. Dr. Tamás Freund presented Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker with the MTA Silver Medal of Appreciation for his significant contributions to the development of relations between Turkish and Hungarian academies and international scientific cooperation. Prof. Dr. Şeker said, “Being deemed worthy of such an important award by the MTA greatly honors me on behalf of my country and my academy. We will continue our efforts to ensure that the friendly relations between the two countries and academies, built on their historical respect for each other, continue to grow tomorrow as they have done yesterday and today.”

During his visit to Budapest, President Şeker also visited the International Maarif School, established by the Turkish Maarif Foundation, which will begin education in the 2025 Turkish-Hungarian Year of Science and Innovation. He said that the school, which was recently inaugurated by Turkish Grand National Assembly President Numan Kurtulmuş and Hungarian Parliament President László Kövér, successfully represents Turkish educational understanding, values, and culture.