The Relationship between the Government and Market Sectors in the Higher Level Economics Education. OTKA: 1997-98. T 023626.

Project Leader: Éva Berde (BUESPA)

Economics education was still one of the most popular professions both at higher and intermediate level. However, saturation point was becoming apparent, caused by the high capacity of the newly established institutions and those which have changed their profile. The separation of the "elite" and the "second-rank" educational places is in process, though it is still possible to find a well-paid job with a "second-rank" diploma. Students in the elite institutions mostly have a very good family and material background. Intermediate economics education has developed in the past ten years possibly even more than higher level. Teachers working in those vocational schools still receive a very low remuneration. In the regions of Hungary with high unemployment even the good standard economics vocational schools try in vain to do their best. Their students can find a job, but only if they commute or move.

The Government's Role in Higher Education. Grants and Student Loans, Theory and Practice. OTKA: 1999-2000. T030052

Project Leader: Éva Berde (BUESPA)

Our survey showed that in Spring 2000 the main characteristic of Hungarian students with regard to student loans was indecisiveness and uncertainty. Less than 30% of those surveyed would have wished to take up some form of loan. Poorer students showed no higher incentive. Basically an "entrepreneur" attitude determined their behaviour.  

Most of the former socialist countries are planning to introduce the student loan system. Some have already done so. Each of these countries uses mortgage type methods. Only Hungary is preparing an income-contingent repayment schedule. Mortgage has already caused serious problems in Estonia and difficulties are expected in other countries.

Apart from Slovenia, neither in Hungary nor in other former socialist countries have methods of financing the higher education and sponsorship of students been co-ordinated.  

Student Loan, Grants and Paid Student's Employment in a Unified System. OTKA: 2002-2003. T030052

Project Leader: Éva Berde (BUESPA)

In addition to family help, there are three different ways of financing student's life: student loan, grant and paid work. These forms cannot be analyzed separately. In our research we intend to find out the relationship between these three forms in the Hungarian context, and we will collect experiences from some other countries. We wish to make small calculations for modeling different theoretical concepts. Using foreign experiences and our own calculations we will evaluate Hungarian opportunities and we will highlight the welfare consequences of different ways of financing student's life. The possible ways of financing student's life at various levels of economic development will be analyzed