A new school year was solemnly opened at the Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute (PHOTOS)

Today, in the Reformed Church of Beregovo, there were celebrations to mark the start of the new school year at the Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute named after Ferenc Rákóczi II. The event was attended by the Prime Minister of the government of Hungary Viktor Orban, the chairman of the Transcarpathian Regional Council Ivan Baloha, the head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration Vasyl Hubal, the first deputy chairman of the Regional Council Vasyl Brenzovych, the Consul General of Hungary in Beregovo Endre Salipski, the Consul General of Hungary in Uzhgorod Jozsef Bochkai, local officials. 

Before the ceremony, the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban visited the reconstructed part of the main building of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute named after Ferenc Rakoczy II. Last year, the framework cooperation agreement was signed between the Hungarian government and the Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute named after Ferenc Rakoczy II. Under the agreement, it is envisaged "to provide the higher education institution with the necessary resources for operation and development in Beregovo."

The head of the RSA Vasyl Hubal believes that the contribution of the neighboring state to the development of the humanitarian sphere in the region is quite significant. "Under the Eastern Partnership program, a large number of educational institutions have been updated in Transcarpathia. And these are the steps that show real help from our neighbors," – the head of the region said.

The chairman of the regional council Ivan Baloha said that humanitarian cooperation with Hungarian partners should be continued in the future, as the creation of such a powerful education center for the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia is a great example of effective partnership with the neighbors.  

"These investments represent support for Transcarpathian Hungarians from the Government of Hungary and provide confidence in the future" – the first deputy chairman of the regional council Vasyl Brenzovych said.

According to the president of the Institute Ildika Oros, currently, more than a thousand students from all over the region are enrolled in the institution. The first students were admitted in 1994, when 14 students were enrolled here. Currently, the Institute has six departments and three offices.  Historians, linguists, geographers, mathematicians are trained there. In 1999 the research centers were created. The main research programs of the Institute are aimed at exploring the use of the Hungarian language in the region, the history of the region, as well as the study of interethnic relations.

At the ceremony, representatives of the authorities, the management of the institution, representatives of religious communities of the region congratulated the students.