The Budapest University of Economics and Business together with the Hungarian University Sports Federation (MEFS), brought together around 100 participants from 11 Hungarian universities for a full day of discussions on health promotion, wellbeing and digital innovation in higher education.
The event, organised at the university’s Unizone campus, explored new approaches to building healthier, more inclusive and digitally skilled university communities. Hungary remains one of the most active countries in the Healthy Campus movement, with six universities registered, five already certified, and three holding Platinum status.
The event also provided opportunities for networking and exchange of best practices, reinforcing the country’s strong engagement with health promotion in higher education.
Focusing on health, wellbeing and digital skills
The conference centred on two key themes, the Healthy Campus concept and the development of digital skills. Regarding the first topic, experts discussed how universities can become environments that holistically support the physical, mental and social wellbeing of students and staff. Best practices and strategic approaches were shared to help institutions enhance their campus environments.
And during on the digital skills development topic, the speakers presented methods to integrate digital competency development into university sport and wellbeing programmes, as the level of digital literacy grows increasingly essential to the modern labour market.
Programme highlights
With the presence in the audience of FISU Executive Committee Member Ágnes Ančić-Valkai, the conference opened with remarks from Péter Juhász, Secretary General of the Hungarian University Sports Federation (MEFS), followed by a keynote presentation from Fernando Parente, FISU Deputy Secretary General, who outlined the goals, impact and global expansion of the Healthy Campus Programme.
The final Healthy Campus roundtable, featured institutional representatives from three universities, Nikoletta Barka (Moderator) – Head of the Sports Office, Budapest Business University; Vice Chair, Committee on Equal Opportunities and Sustainability, Hungarian University Sports Federation; Ábel Djogni – Sports and Design Manager, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design; Member, Communication and Marketing Committee, and, Gyöngyvér Lacza – Head of Department, Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport Sciences; Vice Chair, Leisure Sports Committee, Hungarian University Sports Federation.
All three panellists agreed that launching the programme is not always easy, but with the commitment and support of their institutions’ leadership, the process became much easier. They improved their understanding of the institution, different sectors and people began to collaborate, and today they have events and initiatives taking place solely because they implemented the programme at their universities, resulting in a much stronger focus on wellbeing.
The message delivered to the audience was very positive and will certainly inspire and motivate other universities to join this FISU programme.
Hungary’s Commitment to Healthy Campus
MEFS — the oldest university sports federation in Europe (founded in 1907) — has been a key partner in the national rollout of FISU and also in Healthy Campus Programme. Today, Hungary counts: Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, and University of Debrecen Platinum Level; Budapest Business University (host of the event) with Silver Level, the University of Pannonia (Veszprém) Certified level and University of Óbuda, with registered status.
This strong and growing participation highlights Hungary’s leadership in promoting healthy, sustainable and digitally competent campus communities.
Written by Fernando Parents, photo Credits: BUEB
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