PÁZMÁNY PÉTER CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY’S MISSION IN INTERNATIONALIZATION
I. INTRODUCTION
The Pázmány Péter Catholic University (PPKE) is a State-accredited higher education institution operated by the Catholic Church and managed by the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. The University qualifies as a legal entity for the purposes of both the Catholic Church and the Hungarian State. The PPKE is a unique Hungarian higher education institution with distinctive characteristics, performing its mission in accordance with the provisions of the Ex corde Ecclesiae apostolic constitution.
II. MISSION
In accordance with its Catholic nature, the PPKE, “by means of a kind of universal humanism [...] is completely dedicated to the research of all aspects of truth,” devoting its education and training activities to “growth and to the development of Christian culture and human progress.” In the quest for truth, it emphasizes integration of the various sciences, “a dialogue between faith and reason,” an ethical concern, and a theological perspective. It evaluates “the attainments of science and technology in the perspective of the totality of the human person.” (see: Ex corde Ecclesiae points 4, 11, 15, and 7)
The University subjects its international activities to the mission it has taken on, desiring to serve domestic and international communities with its work, results, and the values it represents. To this end, it strives for cooperation with other “Catholic Universities, as well as with other private and governmental institutions” in the fields of research and education. It undertakes to play a role in the international community of Catholic universities and “participates in and contributes to the life and the mission of the universal Church.” (see: Ex corde Ecclesiae points 35 and 27)
III. INTERNATIONALIZATION
III/a. The internationalization action plan
The objective of the PPKE internationalization strategy is to use the strength of international cooperation to contribute to the solutions for complex issues involving many dimensions of human life and society. (See: Ex corde Ecclesiae, point 35)
In line with its strategic document, the PPKE considers the maintenance and deepening of its current important international relations and the forming of new international connections to be a strategic directive in the interest of promoting the mutual intellectual growth and progress in various disciplines, sciences, and research of both the University and its partners.
The forms of international cooperation that implement mutual research plans bolster the University’s visibility in the international academic space. As international relations greatly promote the professional development of University students, teachers, and administrative staff, the University considers the maintenance and development of international relations to be a prioritized goal. Optimal participation ratios in outgoing and incoming mobility programs are constantly reviewed.
In addition to Hungarian students, the PPKE would also like to teach an increasing number of international students. It intends to primarily attract Christian communities from within and outside Europe, who can study at the University through various scholarship programs—such as Erasmus+, Stipendium Hungaricum (SH), the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (ÖKF), CEEPUS, and the Diaspora Scholarship Program—and in suitable quantities of self-funding programs. Scholarships can also help the University receive greater numbers of Hungarian students living outside the borders of Hungary.
III/b. Cooperation principles
The PPKE is a member of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), the Fédération des Universités Catholiques Européennes (FUCE), and the Catholic Universities Partnership (CUP) led by the Nanovic Institute. The University will continue to deepen its programs and relations with its partners in these associations and is continuously seeking and examining new possibilities for cooperation.
The PPKE also considers the university of Middle Eastern Christian communities and the Christian-rooted university of the Caucasus (Armenia and Georgia) to be important partners that offer a wealth of Christian culture and religious faith and whose interests we can serve in light of their respective positions. In line with its geographical location, the PPKE supports partnerships with the universities of the region.
The establishment of the PPKE Central Office for Foreign Affairs has moved processes and tasks originally delegated to faculties to a central organization. This centralization is first and foremost a strategic direction, with international activities primarily being carried out at the various faculties, which can continue to foster and develop their international relationships in accordance with their specific academic fields, research focuses, and educational interests. These partnerships may extend beyond the sphere of Catholic universities—provided the partner institution is open to Catholic values—and may take the form of educational and research collaborations as well as joint training programs.
These are the principles the University applies to its internationalization procedures, aimed at serving the good and the development of the Church and all of humanity.
PPKE, 2023.
The University's mission can be downloaded from here in pdf format.
