Kaposvár, July 2025 – The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) has awarded an honorary doctorate to Dr. Rysbek Nurgaziev, Rector of Kyrgyz National Agrarian University (KNAU), during a ceremony at its Kaposvár campus. The event also marked the signing of a strategic trilateral agreement aimed at establishing a comprehensive Murray Grey cattle development programme in both countries.
Dr. Rysbek Nurgaziev received the honorary doctorate in recognition of his significant contributions to science, education, and academic diplomacy, and as a symbol of the growing partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Hungary in higher education.
During the ceremony held in the ornate town hall assembly chamber, MATE Vice‑Rector Dr. Csaba Gyuricza remarked on the importance of the milestone:
“This is the first time since MATE’s founding that an honorary doctorate has been granted in Kaposvár. Today’s event reflects our strengthened ties with Central Asia—and particularly Kyrgyzstan—built on shared historical and cultural roots and collaboration in areas like food security, climate resilience, and public health.”
Kaposvár Deputy Mayor Tímea Kárpáti warmly welcomed participants, describing the campus as a central knowledge hub for the city and praising the mutual benefits of academic cooperation.
In turn, Dr. Nurgaziev expressed sincere gratitude for the honour and emphasised the broader impact of collaborations beyond universities:
“This partnership extends far beyond institutional cooperation—it strengthens the connection between our two nations.”
Following the award presentation, MATE, KNAU, and the Murray Grey Breeders’ Association formalised a three‑way strategic agreement. The initiative will implement a Murray Grey cattle programme involving breed introduction, local adaptation of breeding methods, feed optimisation, and erecting suitable housing compatible with regional climate and ecosystem requirements.
Ceremony attendees also experienced the university’s commitment firsthand as Rector Dr. Gyuricza and Minister Hankó Balázs marked the occasion by burying a time capsule and planting a young tree in the demonstration farm area—symbolising the start of a fruitful chapter in Hungarian–Kyrgyz collaboration.
The innovation reflects MATE’s wider internationalisation agenda and strategic aim to become among the world’s top 150 agrarian universities. The Murray Grey cattle programme is expected to provide applied learning opportunities for students, advanced research and innovation potential, and strengthened agribusiness partnerships in both countries.
Source: MATE
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