Hungary's Orban accuses Soros University of 'cheating'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 March 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hungary's Orban accuses Soros University of 'cheating', 31 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a6e2a.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 31, 2017
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban did not specify how George Soros's Central European University was "cheating."
Nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused a liberal Budapest university sponsored by U.S. billionaire George Soros of "cheating" its students.
"Cheating is cheating," Orban told Hungarian public radio on March 31. "It doesn't matter if you are a billionaire, you are not above the law."
He did not specify how Soros's Central European University (CEU) was "cheating," although he did say the university held an "advantage" over local universities because it is accredited to issue both American and Hungarian degrees.
The university issued a statement rejecting Orban's "cheating" accusation.
"We have been lawful partners in Hungarian higher education for 25 years and any statement to the contrary is false," the statement said.
Orban has long criticized the Hungarian-born Soros for allegedly interfering in politics in Eastern and Central Europe.
Earlier this week, Hungarian lawmakers introduced potential legislation that would require all foreign universities to operate campuses and teach similar courses in their countries of origin.
The CEU has vowed to resist the measure if it becomes law.
The CEU currently has about 1,400 students from more than 100 countries. It ranks among the top 50 universities in the world for degrees in political science and international studies.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
