The Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA) regularly collaborates with the Delegations of the European Union globally to promote Erasmus Mundus programmes and support students and alumni.
The Delegation of the European Union to India and Nepal and EMA organized Pre-Departure Orientations (PDO) for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship recipients for the 2023-25 edition. These annual gatherings serve as a platform for incoming students to benefit from the knowledge and experiences of those who have previously embarked on similar educational journeys, creating a supportive and enriching environment for their future endeavours. The events serve as a testament to the expanding people-to-people connections and mobility between the European Union and these countries.
PDO India: Celebrating a Record
In a significant achievement, a record-breaking 174 Indian students, with over 50% of them being women, have been honoured with the prestigious Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the 2023-25 edition. This extraordinary cohort of Indian scholarship recipients is the largest to be selected through the annual application process. On a global scale, a total of 2,835 students from 143 different nations have been granted these esteemed scholarships. To commemorate this remarkable milestone, the Delegation of the European Union to India arranged a special event for the departing Indian students preparing to embark on their educational journey in Europe.
The event also brought together representatives from the Member States, Indian Erasmus alumni, officials from EURAXESS (a network supporting researchers in their career development) and the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA). They engaged with the students, providing them with valuable information and guidance to maximise the opportunities presented by the Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
Tarun Agrawal, the Director of the Research and Innovation Unit (EMA), represented EMA and delivered a presentation. He motivated and guided students, highlighting the numerous benefits of becoming active volunteers within EMA. He further inspired the students to engage with EMA actively, emphasising the invaluable opportunities it offers for personal and professional growth while making the most of their Erasmus experience.
PDO Nepal: 53 Students to Study in Europe
The Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, together with EMA Nepal, organized a Pre-Departure Orientation for the new scholarship recipients of Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the 2023-2025 edition, on 14 July 2023. The main subject areas of choice are Cyber Security, Global Forestry, Environment Technology & Engineering, Urban Studies, Media, Arts & Culture, Women’s & Gender Studies, Documentary Filmmaking, and Plant Breeding.
Altogether, 53 Nepalese students have been awarded full scholarships and will spend two years studying at prestigious European Universities and beyond to pursue their Master's Degrees in various fields. During the Pre-Departure Orientation, students received useful tips and advice for living and studying in Europe. Welcoming the awardees, EU Ambassador to Nepal Nona Deprez said, “I am indeed very pleased to share that Nepal is among the top 20 recipients of the prestigious Erasmus+ scholarship globally and would like to congratulate the students for their outstanding academic achievements.”
Niranjan Khadka, Country Representative of the Erasmus Mundus Association-Nepal, shared EMA Nepal's current activities and plans. He said, “We have been holding information sessions for prospective applicants of the Erasmus scholarships in different cities of Nepal with the goal of making the scholarship known and accessible to all. We are also equally focusing on strengthening the networking of EMA Nepal and building it as a common platform to share each other's experience and opportunities."
Representatives of the EU Member State Embassies based in Kathmandu and New Delhi also participated in the event and answered the queries of students who are looking forward to beginning their studies in different countries in Europe. Those present were Ms Liisa Uschanov-Eskelinen, chargés d' affairs, Embassy of Finland, Kathmandu and Mr Filip Dufek, third Secretary, Embassy of the Czech Republic, New Delhi, Mr Žymantas MOZŪRAITIS, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, New Delhi, Ms Gisela Kristoferitsch, Deputy Head of Mission, Austrian Embassy, New Delhi and Mr Ivan Vassallo, Deputy Head of Mission, High Commission of the Republic of Malta, New Delhi.