Debrecen4U
September 14, 2026
University of Debrecen to Launch Overseas Medical Training Programme in Israel
The University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Medicine is planning to launch an overseas medical training programme in Israel. According to a statement published by unideb.hu on Friday, students taking part in the programme will pursue their studies in Israel and Debrecen in accordance with the curriculum and course structure of the University of Debrecen’s medical programme. Upon successful completion of their studies, their degree will be awarded by the University of Debrecen. As part of the project, the Israeli partners will also establish a new university campus in Eilat. University and faculty leaders signed a memorandum of understanding with the partners in recent days.
The cooperation could open up new prospects for medical education in Debrecen, while further expanding the University of Debrecen’s network of educational and scientific partnerships and strengthening the institution’s international position. “New rectoral and dean’s terms began at the University of Debrecen and its Faculty of Medicine a few months ago. Both the university and faculty leadership teams began their work with renewed momentum and clear ambitions. We can now take previously launched programmes to a higher level, including the overseas medical programme in Israel. Professor György Panyi began developing the initiative under the leadership of the Centre for the Coordination of International Education, with the support of the Faculty of Medicine, and is now continuing to oversee it as Vice-Dean for Science. Alongside the university’s numerous joint programmes in China, this initiative could become a milestone in the history of the University of Debrecen’s foreign-language programmes, as it aims to establish an independent university campus. Implementing the project is not only a major professional challenge for the university, but also a significant responsibility. The institution’s primary objective is to create a programme of high professional quality that is recognised internationally,” said Professor Attila Jenei, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at the University of Debrecen.
A number of partners are involved in the cooperation, including the City of Eilat, which will partly provide the necessary infrastructure, several partner institutions that will undertake certain educational responsibilities, and the Clalit Health Services hospital network, which has been supporting medical education in Debrecen for years by providing accredited clinical training sites.
Israeli students have been choosing Debrecen as the destination for their medical studies for decades, with several hundred Israeli students having graduated from the Faculty of Medicine over the past 30 years. The Eilat project builds on this well-established relationship and will be launched under the name University of Debrecen Faculty of Medicine Eilat Medical Program.
Preparations for the programme began six months ago: several of the future Israeli clinical instructors have already travelled to Debrecen to familiarise themselves with the curriculum and teaching methodology, and have also taken part in practical training.
At a ceremony held in Eilat on 9 September, the official memorandum of understanding was signed by Attila Jenei, Vice-Rector of the University of Debrecen; Norbert Németh, Dean of the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Medicine; Yoav Kisch, Minister of Education; Eli Lankri, Mayor of Eilat; Moshe Cohen, founder and CEO of Medical Doctor Academy; and representatives of the participating partner institutions.
Following the signing of the joint declaration, detailed development of the programme will begin, along with preparations for the accreditation procedures required to launch the course. According to the plans, the University of Debrecen’s overseas medical programme in Israel could begin as early as the 2027/2028 academic year, unideb.hu reports.
Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Debrecen városa (Facebook)
