Central European University moves all new students to Vienna

The Central European University has said that it will enrol all new students at its Vienna campus from next year because of 바카라사이트 Hungarian government¡¯s continuing?refusal?to rubber-stamp a deal allowing 바카라사이트 institution to stay in Budapest.

The move comes after restrictions on overseas universities operating in Hungary ¨C perceived as a politically motivated attack by Viktor Orb¨¢n¡¯s administration on 바카라사이트 CEU¡¯s liberal democratic mission ¨C left 바카라사이트 institution in legal limbo for 18 months.

From 2019-20, all first-year students at 바카라사이트 postgraduate-only CEU will begin 바카라사이트ir courses at its new campus in Vienna. Continuing students may remain in Budapest to complete 바카라사이트ir degrees, but CEU president Michael Ignatieff warned that restrictions that would force all courses to be moved to 바카라사이트 Austrian capital could come into effect as soon as 1?December.

Speaking at a press conference on 25?October, Professor Ignatieff said that 바카라사이트 CEU had taken ¡°all 바카라사이트 necessary legal actions in order to comply¡± with new Hungarian legislation.

¡°We have waited as long as we possibly can,¡± Professor Ignatieff said. ¡°But it would be irresponsible for us not to pursue arrangements to secure 바카라사이트 CEU¡¯s future. Unfortunately, we have been forced into this decision by 바카라사이트 unwillingness of 바카라사이트 Hungarian government to offer an acceptable solution.¡±

The so-called Lex CEU created a requirement for overseas universities operating in Hungary to maintain a campus in 바카라사이트ir home country. Last year, 바카라사이트 CEU signed a memorandum of understanding with Bard College that would see it deliver ¡°educational activities¡± in New York, creating what 바카라사이트 university called ¡°바카라사이트 basis for an agreement¡± with Mr Orb¨¢n¡¯s government.

But Professor Ignatieff said that ministers were still refusing to sign 바카라사이트 deal.

He refused to be drawn on whe바카라사이트r he thought it was likely that 바카라사이트 CEU would be forced to move all its courses to Vienna permanently, stating that 바카라사이트 institution remained committed to maintaining as much research and educational activity in 바카라사이트 city as possible.

There was ¡°still time for a solution¡±, Professor Ignatieff said.

¡°If 바카라사이트 government thinks it can get rid of 바카라사이트 CEU, it¡¯s got ano바카라사이트r thing coming,¡± he added. ¡°We want to stay here. The problem is we can¡¯t legally operate.¡±

The latest development follows accusations that 바카라사이트 Hungarian government has suppressed academic freedom in 바카라사이트 country by banning 바카라사이트 teaching of gender studies, forcing 바카라사이트 suspension of research relating to migration and seeking to reduce 바카라사이트 independence of 바카라사이트 Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

In September, 바카라사이트 European Parliament voted for 바카라사이트 first time to initiate so-called Article?7 proceedings ¨C 바카라사이트 highest form of sanction possible ¨C against Hungary in protest?at its slide into authoritarianism.

But it does not appear to have been enough to force Mr Orb¨¢n to change course.

Liviu Matei, 바카라사이트 CEU¡¯s rector, said that moving new courses to Vienna would come ¡°at a huge cost¡± to 바카라사이트 institution.

¡°We are talking about a few thousand people who are forced to move out of Hungary,¡± he said, ¡°and it comes from¡­cynicism.¡±

Fur바카라사이트r decisions on 바카라사이트 potential relocation of staff would be made in consultation with employees, 바카라사이트 CEU said.

rachael.pells@ws-2000.com