AGE NEWS – On Thursday, June 4, 2025, the European Union Center (EUC) at Universitas Airlangga held a guest lecture themed “70 Years of Indonesia-Hungary Bilateral Relations: From Economic Opportunities to Technological Innovation.” The event featured H.E. Ms. Lilla Karsay, Hungary’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN, who discussed the 70-year journey of bilateral relations between the two nations and future opportunities for collaboration.
The guest lecture began with an introduction to Hungary’s history and geography by Ms. Lilla Karsay. She noted that, despite the 10,399-kilometer distance separating Hungary and Indonesia, diplomatic ties between the two countries have remained strong since June 26, 1955. A significant milestone occurred in 1960 with the official opening of the Indonesian Embassy in Hungary, marked by the historic visit of President Soekarno, the first Indonesian president to visit the country. Hungary, a European Union member state with approximately 9 million populations, has faced numerous historical challenges. Nevertheless, it has successfully built strong economic stability through its export-driven economy.
Ms. Lilla Karsay stated that the largest on-going collaborative project between Indonesia and Hungary is the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) initiative. This project is Hungary’s biggest investment in the technology sector to date, with the Hungarian government allocating approximately USD 300 million. Although the project, which began four years ago, is still in progress, it still highlights the importance of Indonesia to Hungary. In addition to the MLFF, the two countries completed a clean water supply project in 2019, successfully providing potable water to 500,000 people. Another project, like Hun-Indotech, serves as an important initiative encouraging Indonesian and Hungarian entrepreneurs, particularly in the technology sector, to strengthen bilateral business cooperation. Ms. Lilla Karsay also expressed her hopes for expanding collaboration between Indonesia and Hungary. She emphasized Hungary’s warm welcome and encouragement for more Indonesian students to pursue higher education in the country.
Hungarian universities offer over 800 academic programs across various fields, supported by the “Stipendium Hungaricum” scholarship, which covers tuition and accommodation costs. With living expenses relatively lower than in other European Union countries while maintaining comparable quality, Hungary serves as a great destination for international students. Currently, there are approximately 11,000 international students from over 100 countries across five continents studying in Hungary. Popular fields of study include economics, medicine, computer science, engineering, and social sciences. The Indonesian student community in Hungary is notably large and active, supported by comprehensive campus facilities, including free access to fitness centers, swimming pools, and athletic tracks.
The guest lecture concluded with a question-and-answer session, during which seven questions were raised. The discussion covered various topics, including technology, education, economics, and politics. Ms. Lilla Karsay also provided detailed information on scholarship opportunities, study programs, and employment prospects in Hungary. The nearly two-hour event successfully offered a comprehensive overview of seven decades of friendship and opened new perspectives on strategic opportunities for further development.
