Published:
My name is Ertaulet Rakhmatulla, and I am a recipient of the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, pursuing my education in International Public Management at LUDOVIKA University of Public Service, one of Hungary's top diplomatic universities.
I serve as an ambassador for international students at my university and closely collaborate with the International Office. Every year, I participate in the Welcome Event for Stipendium Hungaricum scholars as a representative of my university. This year, for my contributions to the scholar community and academic success, I received the Stipendium Hungaricum Excellence Award, the top honor from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary. The Excellence Award is an annual prize granted to only 40 out of 12,000 Stipendium Hungaricum scholars from 90 different countries, making the selection rate just 0.3%.
About the Profession
In Kazakhstan, unfortunately, I am studying a field that is not very popular but is extremely important. The International Public Management program prepares future leaders of international organizations and public service. The representation of Kazakhs and Central Asians in the UN and other international organizations is very low, so I aspire to build my career in this area and promote Kazakhstan's interests on a global level. As part of the program, I am taught by civil servants, politicians, and researchers with many years of experience working in Hungary, the European Union, and NATO. Such experience is something young people cannot gain in Kazakhstan.
The program emphasizes jurisprudence, political science, and international studies. As part of my specialty, I am required to master a second foreign language. At LUDOVIKA, one can learn German, French, Japanese, Spanish, Russian, and Italian. Personally, I have completed two courses in Hungarian at the beginner level and two courses in German at the advanced level.
LUDOVIKA University of Public Service, although a recently established young university, has a deep history. In 2012, LUDOVIKA merged three universities: Miklós Zrínyi National Defense University, the Police Academy, and the Faculty of Public Administration of Corvinus University. Additionally, Kazakh students are studying at the university in special programs important for Kazakhstan, such as «International Water Resource Management and Water Diplomacy» and «Military Engineering». The university is frequently visited by the President, Prime Minister of Hungary, government representatives, and international politicians.
I believe it is important to strengthen the academic and professional ties between universities in Kazakhstan and my Alma Mater, and in this direction, we are working with the Kazakh community of students, doctoral candidates, and graduates of Hungarian universities.
During the pandemic year, I was graduating from Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Shymkent. Although I had heard of the Stipendium Hungaricum grant at the time, I didn't consider or apply for the program. I had applied to and received financial aid offers from top universities in the USA and Hong Kong. However, due to the pandemic and global instability, I started studying in Kazakhstan. Nevertheless, the desire to access opportunities abroad and be in an international environment never left me. I went through this entire process on my own. After refining my motivation letter, I scored an IELTS 8.0 and applied by myself. I received offers from Northwestern University in Qatar as well as LUPS and Corvinus through the Hungaricum program. Choosing LUPS, I won the Hungaricum scholarship and moved to Budapest.
Currently, through social media, I share useful information and advice with applicants of the Stipendium Hungaricum program, expanding their opportunities for admission. This year, we organized a free charitable webinar for applicants and directed the funds raised as donations to organizations fighting domestic violence in Kazakhstan and providing assistance to victims.
I believe that the Stipendium Hungaricum grant is one of the most generous scholarships in the world. It covers all tuition-related expenses and provides free accommodation in dormitories, as well as state and private health insurance. Undergraduate and master's students receive a monthly stipend of 43,700 forints, while doctoral students receive 140,000 forints (recently increased to 180,000 forints). If you want to live in an apartment, an additional 40,000 forints will be given as compensation. In the heart of Europe, receiving an education for free, developing in an international environment, and opening pathways to achieving professional opportunities is invaluable. My stay in the European Union allowed me to gain much additional education and professional opportunities. I have completed fellowship programs at several leading research centers and have established myself as a young expert in AI security, nuclear, and biological safety.
"Paris of the East" – in Budapest, one can enjoy picturesque architecture and marvel at masterpieces of world classical music. Moreover, it has prompted me to explore the Turkic world more deeply and differentiate my identity. Studying in Hungary has sparked my interest in Turkic history and culture.
Graduates of the program continue their studies or work in international companies in Budapest and Europe, winning other generous scholarships in Europe. Budapest offers great opportunities for young Kazakhs to enter the European market. Every year, 250 Kazakh students are admitted to Hungary, and now more than 1,000 Kazakh students are receiving education here.
I was very pleased that this year the Stipendium Hungaricum program was extended for another three years for Kazakhstan. The more Kazakhs study and gain experience in Hungary, the stronger the ties and cooperation between the two countries become.
I would like to thank the European Union for implementing this scholarship program.
website development in Astana 