Romanian city aims to host the Central European University (CEU) that is targeted in Hungary

The mayor of Arad, Gheorghe Falca, said that he submitted a letter to the dean of the Central European University (CEU), Michael Ignatieff, suggesting that the city located in western Romania has two buildings that can host the university as the Parliament in Budapest passed a bill that could force the CEU out of Hungary.

The bill requires foreign universities to have a campus both in the capital and their home countries. CEU only has a campus in Budapest.

“A lot of Romanians, including Arad-based citizens, have studied here, so this is why I decided to submit this offer as the city has very good access routes, with a highway, pan-European railway and an international airport,” said Falca.

The mayor said that the Romanian city has two buildings with a combined surface of 6,000 square meters that can be used for educational purposes, adding there are student accommodation facilities available and places where they can eat.

Falca says he is ready to go to Budapest to present the offer in detail.

According to the BBC, Hungarian MPs voted a controversial bill that places tough restrictions on foreign universities. The main target is believed to be the CEU and its founder, George Soros.

The English-speaking university, which is still partly-funded by Hungarian-born Soros, is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world in eight disciplines, says the BBC.

gheorghe-falca — Arad mayor Gheorghe Falca

The university said it would fight the bill.

Earlier this April, The Society for Romanian Studies (SRS) has issued a statement in support of the CEU. Professors and students for the Romanian National School of Political and Administration Studies (SNSPA) also issued a letter of solidarity with the CEU.