The recognition of the activities carried out within the framework of the Jean Monnet Chair at the Department of International Relations of the Institute of Global Studies as a centre of excellence was based on several decades of academic work. Ákos Kengyel has played a significant role in the development of educational and research activities in the field of European integration studies at all levels of education, in the renewal of the subject offering and curriculum. As a result of his work, generations of experts have left our university with high-quality knowledge of European economic integration. Ákos Kengyel received support from the Jean Monnet programme for his doctoral research in 1994 (Jean Monnet Doctoral Grant, 1994-1996), and several of his courses were supported by the programme (Permanent course between 1996-1999, European module between 1999-2002 and 2005-2008). In 2014, he was able to establish a Jean Monnet Chair. The application related to the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence was submitted in early 2024 with the participation of Associate Professor Christopher Walsch, Associate Professor Zoltán Gálik and Assistant Professor Éva Kőváriné Ignáth. The application material received high scores from independent international experts. Despite the successful application, however, funding for the centre’s activities could not begin due to the suspension of participation in the Erasmus+ programme. The plaque now sent by the European Commission, however, recognizes excellent performance in the field of European studies. 

In the letter received from the Head of the Erasmus+ Higher Education Unit of the European Commission regarding the plaque, Walter Zampieri wrote, among others, the following: 

“We are delighted to send you the Jean Monnet plaque, which the EACEA is awarding to your institution. The purpose of this plaque is twofold. It serves primary as a label signifying quality in European integration studies and represents the achievements of your ERASMUS-JMO-2024-CEO in this field. At the same time it also provides visibility for the Jean Monnet Action, presenting it as the focal point within and outside your institution for the promotion of European issues. We hope that you will display the plaque with pride and wish you continued success in your European endeavours.” 

Congratulations on the recognition, and we wish you further successful work!