The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has officially hosted a grand pre-departure send-off ceremony for 209 Pakistani students who won prestigious, fully funded awards under the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme for the academic year 2026. The selected scholars will pursue undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across Hungary’s leading public research universities.
This group marks the 11th consecutive batch dispatched under the bilateral educational agreement between Pakistan and Hungary. Selection for this year's cohort was exceptionally competitive, with approximately 26,000 candidates applying nationwide. Following rigorous aptitude evaluations and academic screenings, 209 students emerged successful, bringing the total number of Pakistani students sponsored under the programme to 1,636 since its launch in 2016.
Key Ceremony Highlights & High-Level Addresses
The pre-departure ceremony, held at the HEC Secretariat in Islamabad, was attended by key government and diplomatic dignitaries, institutional heads, program alumni, and the parents of the scholarship recipients.
Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, who served as the chief guest, congratulated the awardees and their families. He advised the scholars to respect Hungary's local legal frameworks, embrace cultural and academic diversity, and return home equipped with specialized technical expertise to power Pakistan’s socioeconomic growth. Dr. Akhtar highlighted the exceptional resilience and intellect of Pakistani youth on international platforms, noting that Pakistani students have also secured the number one position globally in Erasmus Mundus scholarships for five consecutive years.
Dr. Dora Gunsberger, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary in Islamabad, emphasized that winning the scholarship represents not only a personal triumph but an enduring bridge of goodwill between Pakistan and Hungary. "The scholarship is a gift with a responsibility," Dr. Gunsberger remarked, urging the scholars to maintain academic discipline, curiosity, and high ethical conduct throughout their residency in Central Europe.
The ceremony was also addressed by Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul Haq, who commended the Human Resource Development (HRD) and Global Engagement divisions for managing a transparent merit pipeline, Director General HRD/GE Ms. Aayesha Ikram, and Air University Rector Air Marshal (Retd) Dr. Abdul Moeed Khan.
Stipendium Hungaricum 2026: Program At a Glance
Below is the official breakdown of program metrics and structural details verified for this year’s awardees:
| Key Parameter | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme |
| Batch & Academic Cycle | 11th Batch (Academic Year 2026/2027) |
| Awardees This Cycle | 209 Pakistani Students |
| Total Applications Received | ~26,000 applicants nationwide |
| Cumulative Alumni (2016–2026) | 1,636 Pakistani Scholars |
| Eligible Academic Degrees | Bachelor’s (BS), One-Tier Master’s (OTM), Master’s (MS/MPhil), Doctoral (PhD) |
| Funding & Administration | Government of Hungary (Tempus Public Foundation) & HEC Pakistan |
Comprehensive Scholarship Benefits & Coverage
The Stipendium Hungaricum is one of Europe's most generous fully funded international scholarship frameworks. Awardees receive:
- Full Tuition Exemption: Complete waiver of institutional tuition fees for the standard duration of the chosen degree program.
- Monthly Maintenance Allowance: A monthly cash stipend paid directly to students towards daily living expenses (scaled for undergraduate/master’s and higher for doctoral candidates).
- Accommodation Support: Free university dormitory placement, or an accommodation contribution subsidy toward private rented housing.
- Medical & Health Insurance: National health insurance coverage under Hungarian statutory law, accompanied by supplementary private medical insurance up to HUF 65,000 annually per person.
- Visa Facilitation: Priority Schengen student visa processing facilitated in coordination with the Embassy of Hungary in Islamabad.
How Pakistani Students Can Apply for the Next Cycle
Aspiring applicants planning for the upcoming Stipendium Hungaricum intake must prepare well in advance, as the dual-portal system enforces strict deadlines:
- HEC Aptitude Scoring: Applicants must sit for the relevant HEC aptitude test (USAT for undergraduate programs or HAT for graduate/PhD admissions). Achieving a competitive percentile is mandatory for shortlisting.
- Dual Portal Registration: Candidates must submit applications on both the Hungarian Tempus Public Foundation DreamApply portal and the official HEC Scholarship Portal (
scholarship.hec.gov.pk). Missing either submission results in disqualification. - Document Attestation: Ensure academic certificates and degrees are formally attested by the Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) for intermediate certificates and HEC for university degrees.
- Medical Fitness & Police Clearance: Shortlisted finalists must submit official medical fitness certificates and character certificates issued by Pakistani authorities before visa issuance.
Source & Verification: Official event proceedings reported via Islamabad Post / DNA News Agency and validated against Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan records.