KOTA KINABALU: Sabah intends to foster better relations with Hungary, particularly in fields that could support economic development and improve the well-being of Sabahans.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor hopes that friendly ties between Hungary and Sabah would continue to strengthen through the exploration of potential strategic cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the state and its people.
He said this following a courtesy call from the Hungarian Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Sándor Sipos, at Menara Kinabalu here on Thursday (Nov 12).
“I hope the visit would open up more opportunities for the exchange of expertise, technology and experience between both sides, particularly in areas that could support economic development and improve the well-being of the people of Sabah,” he said after the visit.
He said closer ties would lead to long-term benefits for the state in education, agriculture, green technology, biodiversity research, medical technology, culture and tourism.
In education, he hoped more Sabahans would have the opportunity to pursue higher education in Hungary through the 40 annual scholarships offered by the Hungarian government to Malaysian students, including those from Sabah, under the Stipendium Hungaricum programme for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies.
Sipos said the scholarships allow Malaysians to pursue more than 600 courses in various fields taught in English.
Sipos also said Hungary was planning a Malaysian-Hungarian scientific expedition to Sabah to explore potential scientific research opportunities and commemorate the contributions of Hungarian scientist Franz Xaver Witti, who conducted expeditions in the state during the 19th century.
He said that, besides strengthening cooperation in scientific research and cultural heritage, the expedition would culminate in a book documenting Sabah and Witti’s contributions to the state’s history.
He said Hungary’s historical ties with Sabah were also reflected in the naming of several geographical locations after Hungarian figures, including the Witti Range in the Sandakan area and Andrassy Hill in Tawau.
Earlier, Sipos paid a courtesy call on Sabah's Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Musa Aman, on June 30 as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and strategic development cooperation between Hungary and Sabah.
On May 30, he also paid a courtesy call on Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar to discuss potential cooperation in agricultural modernisation, research, innovation and sustainable agricultural development.
