Hungarian Conslulate in St Petersburg Strengthens its Ties with “Hungarianists” at St Petersburg University

A unique master’s programme Culture and Art in Hungary has been launched at St Petersburg University.  It is focused on the integrated study of the art, philosophy and religion, politics and history of Hungary.

Present at the meeting were teachers from St Petersburg University, first-year students, who are just getting acquainted with this Finno-Ugrian language, and also third-year students who are already fluent in the language and have visited Hungary many times.

In Russia, at the present time, Hungarian is taught in three cities:  Moscow, St Petersburg and Izhevsk.  Pointing out how unique this St Petersburg University programme is and how well it prepares students, Mr. Gábor Ferenc Nagy described how many of the university’s graduates have proven themselves to be real professionals and are working in Hungarian diplomatic structures.  “I am proud of your graduates and pleased to work in a city where there is such an outstanding institution of higher learning,” the Consul-General shared his thoughts with the students.

 

The Head of the Department of Finno-Ugrian Philology at St Petersburg University, Senior Lecturer Natalia Kolpakova, underscored that close ties with the consulate could open up additional opportunities for setting up summer courses and helping students find jobs after they graduate.  She also invited the Hungarian Consulate to become more involved in the life of St Petersburg University, for example by giving students backing as they prepare their graduation theses.

“It is possible for us to cultivate relationships with prospective employers, but it is very important that students themselves take the initiative and exhibit a sense of purpose, that they be ready to interact with them and to be productive.”

Hungarian Consul-General in Saint Petersburg, Gábor Ferenc Nagy

A specialization in the Hungarian language, as part of the undergraduate programme Foreign Languages, is offered every other year.  Students are likewise accepted bi-annually for the master’s programme Theory and History of Language and European Languages.  

The Consul-General described Oksana Yakimenko, who teaches at St Petersburg University, as an active researcher in the field of Hungarian studies and called upon students to follow her example.  “Oksana Arkadyevna actively participates in all events associated with Hungary, and she herself is instrumental in bringing them about,” said Gábor Ferenc Nagy.

At the end of the meeting, he proposed that the students make such get-togethers regular and also that they hold them on the premises of the Hungarian Consulate.  “Such events,” he is convinced, “will help students to not only hone their language skills but also to enrich their knowledge of the culture, customs and holidays of our country.”