The University of Public Service (UPS) and the Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI) signed an inter-institutional agreement on March 25, 2024, in the premises of the University. The agreement was signed by Dr. Balázs Bartóki-Gönczy, associate professor, deputy dean of the University of Public Service, and Gyula Ocskay, secretary general of the Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives.

The aim of the cooperation is to establish the most important Border Studies research group in the Central European region in Budapest, thus filling the current gap and assuming a leading role in Central Europe. The multidisciplinary nature of the UPS provides a broad theoretical background for border research and can also integrate border studies into university education. For this, CESCI can provide knowledge and experience gained in practice on the one hand, and, through its network of contacts, it can attract leading researchers from Europe, North America and Asia as lecturers and researchers, on the other.

In his speech before the signing, Dr. Balázs Bartóki-Gönczy emphasised the importance of the dual nature of open borders. They can represent potential risks, such as the uncontrolled migration or terrorism. However, the topic of open borders also appears as an important European and national political issue since significant Hungarian national minorities live in neighbouring countries. Consequently, open or closed borders define basic frameworks of connection between Hungary and its neighbours.

Within the framework of the agreement, the parties aim to build and maintain close professional cooperation and support, develop the appearance and external relations of the Research Group, and organise professional events. The parties support each other’s publication work, the launch and development of the Research Group’s own periodical, and the compilation and implementation of domestic and international calls. CESCI’s international professional network also provides the opportunity for the parties to regularly participate in major international research projects and networks.

In his speech, Gyula Ocskay said that the signing of the cooperation had been preceded by thorough preparatory work, so it would not be difficult to fill it with content. The partnership of the UPS is an evidence as border issues are addressed on the most comprehensive way at this university, from legal and public policy aspects to European Studies, administration, security and geopoliticy. Among other things, he highlighted that the work on launching a new, internationally recognised scientific and professional journal is already underway in partnership with the University of Eastern-Finland. The application on the Journal of Advanced Studies on Borders, Cooperation & Development (the ABCD Journal) has already been submitted to the Elsevier Publisher. Internationally renowned researchers of the topic were recruited to the journal’s editorial board, and the chief editor duties were assigned to Professor James Wesley Scott, an honorary member of the IX Department of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

After the signing, the parties discussed some pragmatic and current issues of cooperation with the head of the research group, Dr. Zsuzsanna Fejes, Márk Szarvas, head of the dean’s office, Csaba Fási, head of department of development and the members of the Research Group being present.

The latest news of the Research Group of Cross-Border Cooperation can be found here: https://research.cesci-net.eu/en/home-page/