Soros pioneer opens its doors to rest of world

The Central European University, founded and funded by US financier and philanthropist George Soros to promote western values in the former Communist bloc, is to broaden its intake to include the rest of the world, writes Kester Eddy in Budapest.

Yehuda Elkana, CEU president, announced at this year's graduation ceremony that although the emphasis on the former communist countries would continue, students from emerging democracies in other parts of the globe were also welcome to apply for CEU scholarships.

Applicants from the West would also be considered, Dr Elkana said. "It is also not automatically pre-supposed that every applicant from the West is wealthy, and such students too can be eligible (for scholarships)," he said.

The CEU has received almost 5,500 applications for this academic year. The applicants originate from 73 countries, the highest number so far, including a "marked increase" in those from outside the former Communist bloc.