From 9 to 11 October 2026, the international partner meeting of the Data-Driven Student Dropout Prediction Programme (DROP) was held in Târgu Mureș, Romania, hosted by the Târgu Mureș Faculty of Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania. The professional event was attended by Violetta Simon, a lecturer at the Department of Accounting and Finance of Ferenc Rakoczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian University, who, in her capacity as a researcher and administrative staff member of the international project, delivered a presentation on the research and professional activities carried out at the institution, as well as the current state of research into student dropout.
The international project, implemented with the support of the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme (Project ID: 2024-2-HU01-KA220-HED-000295434), aims to develop data-driven predictive models and institutional intervention methods that facilitate the early identification of dropout risks among higher education students, support their academic progress, and contribute to the development of effective institutional measures.
The three-day international partner meeting focused on evaluating the results achieved so far within the project, discussing experiences related to data processing and model development, and reviewing institutional interventions aimed at reducing student dropout rates. Participants discussed the administrative and financial implementation of the project, experiences gained from the first interim report, and the research and dissemination activities planned for the upcoming period.
The presentation provided an overview of the institutional activities carried out since February 2026, with particular emphasis on the preparation of input data and the development of the institutional database, the development of predictive models, data visualisation activities, and the implementation and evaluation of institution-specific interventions. It also addressed the criteria for comparing and institutionally evaluating predictive models, the assessment of experiences gained during the first year of implementing interventions, and the dissemination of research findings through scientific publications.
During the professional discussions, representatives of the partner institutions reviewed the results of model testing, shared experiences regarding the institutional interventions implemented, and defined the next tasks for the period from October 2026 to February 2027. Particular attention was devoted to the wider dissemination of research findings and the continuation of international professional cooperation.
The participation of Ferenc Rakoczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian University in the DROP project contributes to the scientific investigation of student dropout, the development of institutional data-driven decision support systems, and the design of methods aimed at improving students’ academic success. International cooperation provides opportunities for partner institutions to exchange experiences, become familiar with best practices, and jointly develop innovative solutions that contribute to improving the quality of higher education.
The international partner meeting in Târgu Mureș marked another important milestone in the implementation of the project, while reaffirming Ferenc Rakoczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian University’s commitment to international research cooperation, data-driven developments in higher education, and the creation of a student-centred learning environment.
Department of Accounting and Finance
