Hungary: George Soros-founded school hopes for imminent deal

BUDAPEST, Hungary – A university founded by Hungarian-American billionaire philanthropist George Soros is hopeful of a deal allowing it to remain in Hungary.

Central European University spokeswoman Colleen Sharkey said Tuesday that negotiations between New York state, where CEU is accredited, and the government of Hungary, where the school has been based since 1993, “have created the basis for an agreement.”

Sharkey said CEU had signed a memorandum of understanding with Bard College, based in New York’s Hudson Valley, which would allow CEU to comply with one of the new stipulations in Hungary’s law on higher education, which calls for foreign universities in Hungary to carry out educational activities in their home countries.

The issue is part of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ideological conflict with Soros, the target of critical government campaigns.