In today’s higher education landscape, a growing variety of models and institutional structures are emerging—shaped by increasingly complex societal changes and stakeholder expectations. Universities must navigate this ever-evolving environment by developing forward-looking strategies and clearly defined internal processes. At the same time, they continue to bear the responsibility of preparing students—and communities more broadly—for the challenges of the future. 

The handbook offers up-to-date academic insights to support this mission. It brings together contributions from experts representing, among others, four of Hungary’s leading universities and aims to serve both the academic and administrative sides of institutional leadership. 

“The goal of this publication is to help higher education in Hungary become more conscious and competitive,” says editor Dr. Gergely Kováts, Associate Professor at Corvinus and Director of the Centre for International Higher Education Studies, who has been researching the topic for over two decades. “We wanted to offer support, in clear, accessible Hungarian, for all those working in higher education leadership and decision-making, whether in ministries, intermediary organisations, or at the institutional level. The book is also intended for practitioners, researchers, and anyone with a deeper interest in how universities are managed.” 

The volume explores universities’ societal roles, trends, regulatory environments, and organisational structures. It addresses key questions, such as what expectations universities must meet in their cooperation with society—and how these roles can be metaphorically described: as cooperatives, catalysts, lighthouses, or even as distorted mirrors. 

Chapters also delve into the unique aspects of higher education governance and institutional culture, outlining approaches to strategy development, performance and change management, and the organization of education. It also discusses essential services supporting student and stakeholder engagement. Special chapters are dedicated to legal aspects of intellectual property generated within universities, higher education marketing, IT management, and internationalisation. 

The book launch took place on 12 June at Corvinus. The handbook is available for free in digital format through the Corvinus University repository. Corvinus previously published a handbook on this topic in 2008, edited by György Drótos and Gergely Kováts, also titled Higher Education Management. The current volume was made possible with the support of Hungary’s National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.