On June 12-13, 2024, Budapest, the Károli Gáspár Reformed University organized the first study trip of the project “Supporting inclusive learning environments – strategies for supporting students with children and families in higher education” (2023-1-HU01-KA220-HED-000156058). During the international meeting, representatives of the higher education institutions participating in the program and the coordinating organization reviewed the current status of the program, discussed and shared experiences gained during previous activities, and coordinated and harmonized tasks and events for the near future.
REMINDER
the project “Supporting inclusive learning environments – strategies for supporting students with children and families in higher education” (2023-1-HU01-KA220-HED-000156058)
International Partner Meeting – Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church, June 12-13, 2024.
Faculty of Theology, Kálmán Tóth Hall – 1092 Budapest, Ráday u. 28.
- WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR – Dr. Gábor Szalai, International Director, read out the welcome address by Prof. Dr. László Trócsányi, Rector, in which the Rector highlighted the international activities of Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church within the framework of the Erasmus+ and Makovecz Programs, and emphasized that, in line with family protection considerations, the university treats the target group of the current Erasmus+ program, namely students with families and children, as a group of strategic importance. Due to its strategic importance, the Rector announced the main program element of the afternoon meeting, the panel discussion, which took place with great institutional interest and the presence of a large number of middle and senior managers of the university.
- INTRODUCTIONS – First, Kinga Joó, presidential advisor, gave a brief presentation on the work of the coordinating organization, the National Association of Large Families, highlighting the organization’s activities in the international and higher education fields to date. She emphasized that with more than 85,000 members, more than 250 communities, and approximately 1,500 volunteers, the organization’s priority is to monitor and support the higher education studies of young people from large families who are starting families and raising children. In view of this, NOE considers the implementation of the current Erasmus+ program to be of strategic importance, particularly in light of the unfavorable European demographic trends and reproduction rates experienced in recent decades.
As a second introductory panel, participants watched two introductory videos produced by Károli Gáspár Reformed University, learning about the family accommodations of the theological faculty, the experiences and opinions of the students living there, and the additional infrastructure developments that specifically help students with families to succeed at university (playroom, diaper changing room).
Representing the II. Rákóczi Ferenc Carpathian Hungarian College, project manager Kornélia László Híres presented the college and its students. Participants watched an introductory video made by the college’s students, which highlighted the institution’s family-friendly events and infrastructure developments that promote barrier-free transportation. In her introduction, the project manager emphasized the beneficial and constructive impact of the Erasmus+ program, which is being implemented in cooperation with the college. As a result of this program, in addition to joining and participating in the program, the college has also begun to set up a baby-mother room within the institution.
Representing Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, project manager Ágnes Sántha presented the university’s institutions and the measures and practices that help students with families and children to succeed (family rooms within the dormitories, individual timetables). In addition to participation in the Erasmus+ program, the project manager also highlighted the institution’s involvement in the Makovecz Program.
On behalf of Selye János University, Rita Hegedüs presented the institutional structure to the participants, within which students can pursue higher education studies in Hungarian at three faculties (Teacher Training, Economics and Information Technology, Reformed Theology).
- PROJECT PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION
Research concept and summary of activities to date – Bálint Duráczky, research leader, NOE
Bálint Duráczky briefly summarized the focus group research concept and presented the planned schedule and progress of the research activities to the participants using a Gantt chart. The focus group research planned for the first phase has been completed, and the next task is to process and compare the data received by the end of August 2024.
In the context of the cooperation, he emphasized the importance of validating the planned toolkit by partner institutions through on-site evaluations, followed by the importance of the proposal exercise related to the toolkit testing due in the second phase of the work, with a particular focus on institutional regulations.
FOCUS GROUP EXPERIENCES – PART I
Following the brief summary, researchers from partner organizations gave presentations on their focus group experiences. Éva Sztárayné Kézdy reported on the announcement of the focus groups at Károli Gáspár Reformed University and the recruitment process, stating that 25 people had applied for the survey, 14 of whom were suitable according to the criteria set by NOE. From this number, two groups of six people each were formed. In terms of experiences, she emphasized subject- and faculty-specific experiences, and highlighted the problems of professional internships.
Kornélia László Híres reported on the difficulties of recruitment at the II. Rákóczi Ferenc Hungarian College of Transcarpathia. A major problem for them was that they had no data on the marital status of the students. They managed to organize two groups of five people each, primarily by contacting them via email. The focus groups proved to be effective, and they were able to summarize the “challenges” faced by students with families and children with valuable results.
- PANEL DISCUSSION
After lunch, there was a prayer service, followed by an afternoon panel discussion at 3 p.m. on the inclusive environment for students raising children in higher education, with Éva Sztárayné Kézdy (Károli Gáspár Reformed University), Enikő Bíró (Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania), Kornélia László Híres (II. Rákóczi Ferenc Hungarian College of Transcarpathia), Alfréd Somogyi (Selye János University), Marcell Budai (National Conference of Student Governments), moderated by Örs Levente Kovács (National Association of Large Families), with the following panels: study system, infrastructure conditions, social and student community perception, possibilities for implementing a positive approach, and possible practices.
On the topic of the study system, Éva Sztárayné Kézdy mentioned the exam and course registration system as a possible area for simplification and practice, and individual study plans were also raised as an optional simplification technique. Kornélia László Híres informed the participants about the current practice in Transcarpathia, saying that a system of free class attendance had been introduced in Transcarpathia under certain conditions, alongside a functioning classroom system and uploaded teaching materials.
Enikő Bíró, referring to the handling of special situations requested by students with families, said that in the case of the study system, there is a strong expectation for the introduction of targeted, institutionalized measures. According to her, the classroom system is also in use in Transylvania.
Alfréd Somogyi shared his experiences with the study system at Selye János University and said that, unfortunately, there is no legal basis for individual study plans in Slovakia, which are currently the responsibility of the dean at the university. According to his information, online education is currently possible in Slovakia if justified/necessary.
Marcell Budai mentioned the lack of central regulation as the most important shortcoming and problem affecting targeted changes to the study system.
On the subject of infrastructure conditions, in addition to the existing (Károli University, children’s room/diaper changing room) and under construction (Beregszász, baby-mother room) service facilities, the panel discussion participants also attached great importance to infrastructure development practices that focus on students with “special needs” and families.
Enikő Bíró pointed out that there is a great need in Transylvania for the “spousal” dormitories mentioned by Alfréd Somogyi, which operate at the dormitory of Selye János University and also exist at the dormitory of the Faculty of Theology at Károli Gáspár Reformed University.
On the issue of social perception, Éva Sztárayné Kézdy highlighted the importance of effectively surveying and identifying the target group and the need for systemic measures, touching on the issue of institutional support.
Kornélia László Híres referred to the fundamentally conservative, family-centered community as a definite family-friendly environment in the case of social perception in Transcarpathia.
Enikő Bíró distinguished between the university centers in Târgu Mureș and Sfântu Gheorghe in terms of positive perception, emphasizing that while in Târgu Mureș, students with families students with children is generally positive, this trend is not as evident in Sepsiszentgyörgy.
According to Alfréd Somogyi, the university in Komárom is viewed very positively by the target group mentioned above, and the teachers have a very good opinion of the performance and attitude of students with families.
FOCUS GROUP EXPERIENCES – PART II
Emese Emőke Tóth-Batizán shared her experiences at Sapientia University, saying that the group affected by the issue of having children is a hidden population that consciously separates its private life and family from its higher education activities, keeping in mind the discretion of the private sphere. However, the focus group research also revealed that the existence of a special curriculum, predictability in terms of the semester and exam periods, and a family-friendly approach are also important considerations for this group.
Rita Hegedüs informed those present about the activities of the focus groups formed within the framework of Selye János University, stating that the survey was conducted with two relatively homogeneous groups of four people each and mentioned as a general phenomenon within this group that the students surveyed tend to start their higher education studies after having children and are much less likely to have children during their higher education studies.
- ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION – COORDINATOR BRIEFING AND COORDINATION
On June 13, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m., representatives of the coordinating organization and partner organizations reviewed issues arising in financial administration, with a focus on accountability and reporting and dissemination obligations. As part of the consultation, Örs Levente Kovács gave a short presentation on the financial information material from the latest webinar held by the Tempus grant manager.
Following the financial consultation, participants were given a tour of one of the most important central buildings of Károli Gáspár Reformed University, the Károlyi-Csekonics Palace.
Prepared by: Levente Örs Kovács
Program Coordinator
Budapest, June 24, 2024