Medical Universities Can Switch to Debated Foundation-based Model The medical universities’ switch to the new, government-preferred foundation-based working model is on the agenda. So far, eight higher education institutions did so or were forced to do so, and two more would switch over in 2021. The government says it aims to raise competitiveness and reliability. The Hungarian way, however, differs from the international examples, and is still under debate from many aspects. According to the government’s proposal, the new working model follows international tendencies, namely the Anglo-Saxon way. Instead of the state, the newly-established foundation will exercise the founders’ rights and procedural application. Its board of trustees would accept the budget, the annual report, the organizational and operational regulations, and be responsible for the institution’s development and asset management. Decisions will be brought by them, instead of the democratically-elected senate. The board of trustees will also have more of a say in the rector’s appointment. The new working model is closer to the market’s more competitive requirements; as a result, workers’ public employee status will be terminated, they will become normal employees; as a result, performance would be given greater emphasis, but they can be fired more easily, too.