17 goals for a better world – no. 10: Reduced inequalities

Our series of articles entitled “Sustainable Tuesday(s)”, will take a look over 17 weeks at the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN to make the world a better place.

This time, we will explore in more detail goal no. 10: Reduced inequalities, which is to:

Reduce inequality within and among countries

Help the disadvantaged!

Budapest University of Technology and Economics is committed to reducing inequalities within and among countries in education, as well as research and development.

The Budapest University of Technology and Economics is dedicated to fostering equal opportunities among its staff and students. From October 2021, the Gender Equality Plan (BME GEP) developed in line with the existing university regulatory framework and the national and European policies, has further strengthened the University’s commitment to an inclusive institutional culture and the fight against gender-based discrimination.

In terms of education, BME welcomes students from all over the country and offers a range of opportunities for those from poorer regions. According to the system of norms established by the university’s Codes, students in need are entitled to receive basic support upon enrolment and regular social support during their student years, while the Bursa Hungarica Higher Education and Local Government Scholarships and the means-tested accommodation in one of the 8 dormitories of BME are also available for them.

Budapest University of Technology and Economics has been offering undergraduate courses in foreign languages since 1985. In 2023, 2397 foreign students were studying at BME, which is about 12% of the total number of students. In addition to developed countries, students from developing countries also come to study at BME. 182 students from 51 countries received their diplomas in February 2024. Students finishing their studies at BME came from Tunisia, Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the largest numbers, but there are fresh graduates also from the United States of America, Iran, Namibia and Cape Verde. They can use the knowledge they acquire here to contribute to the development of their country and thus reduce inequalities.

There are various scholarship programmes to help foreign students at the university. These include the Erasmus programme, the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People, the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship, the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships: most foreign students come to study at Budapest University of Technology and Economics with the help of the latter (1250 out of 2397 foreign students in 2023). Stipendium Hungaricum is a scholarship programme founded by the Hungarian Government in 2013. Under this scheme, participating foreign students do not have to pay tuition fees, receive a monthly stipend, dormitory accommodation or additional contribution to their accommodation costs, and can also use health services provided under the relevant Hungarian legislation.

Students at the university also have the opportunity to study abroad, thus putting the knowledge they have acquired abroad to good use in Hungary, which can contribute to levelling up with developed countries. At the International Mobility Info Day, held in January 2024, students were able to learn about funding opportunities available through the EELISA (European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance), the CEEPUS mobility programme, and the Pan-European Seal (PES) Professional Traineeship Programme. In addition, the organisers presented the opportunities for Erasmus study scholarships and traineeships available within and outside Europe.

The BME Career Fair is arranged twice a year, in the spring and in the autumn, as the University takes special care to introduce its students to the companies from all over the country that may become their future employers. This can also help reduce inequalities within Hungary, since our graduates can find jobs outside of Budapest as well.

In addition to the above, 8 publications, 22 student projects and 27 subjects delivered at the university’s faculties are related to the subject of reduced inequalities.

GD, KK (BME Committee on Sustainability)