Rector Juan Carlos Ayala and Rector Ilona Pajtók-Tari during the signing of their agreement
Juan Carlos Ayala, Rector of the University of La Rioja, has signed a collaboration agreement with the Eszterházy Károly Catholic University within the framework of an institutional trip to Eger (Hungary) and the Enorregion and European University EU-GIFT projects.
From October 16 to 18, Rector Juan Carlos Ayala led a delegation from the University of La Rioja, which also counted with Elena González Fandos, director of the Enorregion Project, and Miguel Angel Acedo, deputy director of the European University Project. They paid a visit to Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, a member of the European University EU-GIFT project (European University for Geographical Identity as a Driver for Food Systems Transition to Sustainability).
This strategic project aims to create an alliance of seven small and medium-sized European universities. These institutions are geographically distributed in central, southern and eastern Europe (Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Romania and Spain) closely linked to their eminently agricultural territory, for the development of regions through the promotion of quality food linked to their territory with a geographical identity.
The EU-GIFT European University seeks excellence in teaching, research and knowledge transfer in the field of drinks and food products with geographical identity. This will allow the sustainable development of European regions united by a common objective as the basis of a quality food supply that will attract people to the territory for the development of the region.
During the visit several meetings were held with EKCU’s Rector Dr. Ilona Pajtók-Tari, Ph.D., Dr Kálmán Zoltán Váczy, Vice-Rector of General Affairs, Dr Hajnalka Csáfor, Vice-Rector for Education and Dr Tibor Juhász, Vice-Rector for Science.
As a result of the above-mentioned meetings, a collaboration agreement was signed between the Eszterházy Károly Catholic University and the University of La Rioja in the fields of teaching and research. Thus, a framework for future cooperation between the two universities is established, recognizing the mutual benefits that can be derived from the further development of this synergy.
The EU-GIFT European University seeks excellence in teaching, research and knowledge transfer in the field of beverages and food.
From left to right, Miguel Ángel Acedo, Elena González Fandos and Juan Carlos Ayala with the rector and vice-rectors of the Eszterházy Károly Catholic University.
In addition, the University of La Rioja delegation held working meetings with Professor Zsófi Zsolt, Director of the Institute of Viticulture and Oenology; Johanna Geml, Director of the Department of International Strategy and Programme Development; Csaba Patkos, Director of the Institute of Geographical and Environmental Sciences and of the Department of Social Geography and Regional Development; and Anikó Bordás, Administrator of the Projects Department.
During the institutional visit, a dinner with wine tasting of the university’s own wines, Lyceum Bistro – The Academia Winery – was held with an introduction to the Eger wine region.
During the institutional visit, a series of visits were made to Eszterházy facilities. Among them, it is worth mentioning the library where they had the opportunity to see some of the books in the collection linked with Spain.
