By removing the flag, the university administration took symbolic action to draw attention to the consequences of EU decisions for Hungarian students and researchers and sent a clear message to European institutions, as reported by Origo.
The management of the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences has taken an unusual decision: the European Union flag has been removed from the university campus for the duration of the graduation ceremony. The rector justified this step by saying that he considers the exclusion of Hungarian universities, students, and researchers from EU higher education and research programs to be unacceptable.
The decision sends a political and symbolic message, which is not directed against the European Union, but against controversial decisions made by EU institutions.
The removal of the EU flag can be understood as a reaction to the exclusion from the Erasmus+ and Horizon programs. In the rector’s view, these measures are unlawful and discriminatory, as they deprive thousands of Hungarian students and researchers of the opportunity to study and collaborate internationally.
The university management believes that the decisions were made on political rather than professional grounds and seriously violate the principles of European cooperation in higher education.
Rector of the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences Csaba Gyuricza. Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán
The removal of the flag follows a protracted legal and political conflict. Several Hungarian higher education institutions have challenged their exclusion from the EU program in court and filed a lawsuit against the European Commission.
They argue that the institutional restructuring did not justify exclusion from the programs. These programs function smoothly in other EU member states with similar administrative models, thus the measures against the Hungarian institutions represent a double standard.
Main building of the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences in Gödöllő. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/Gergely Dóra Viktória
The rector’s decision is also intended to send a clear message to students: the university management is committed to the interests of students and researchers and does not accept that they should have to pay the price for political debates.
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Via origo.hu; Featured image: Pexels
The post University Temporarily Removes European Union Flag in Protest appeared first on Hungary Today.
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