Erasmus+ Information Day, National University of Laos, Vientiane, Lao PDR

On April 30, 2025, the Erasmus+ Information Day was held at the National University of Laos (NUoL), jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and Sports, the EU Delegation to Lao PDR, and NUoL. The event promoted Erasmus+ opportunities and featured a scholarship sharing session with EMA representatives, including Ms. Anoulack Chanthakhat and Mr. Khammailee Vangxaolee. Key speakers from NUoL and the EU discussed capacity building, international mobility, and scholarship application strategies. With 195 attendees (in-person and online), the session emphasized educational cooperation and dialogue, highlighting the EU’s ongoing commitment to strengthening higher education in Laos.

On 30th April 2025, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), together with the Delegation of the European Union to Lao PDR and the National University of Laos (NUoL), organized the Erasmus+ Information Day at NUoL in Vientiane. This event was part of the EU’s continuing commitment to enhance educational cooperation and opportunities in Lao PDR under the Erasmus+ Programme (2021–2027). An Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Sharing Session (EMSSS) was also organized to promote higher education opportunities offered through the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically aimed at informing Lao students.

Among the invited speakers were Ms. Anoulack Chanthakhat, Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) Country Representative for Lao PDR, who joined the event virtually, and Mr. Khammailee Vangxaolee, Erasmus Mundus alumnus, who participated in person. Both were invited by the Ministry of Education and Sports as national representatives to share their Erasmus Mundus experiences and information about EMA.

The event was designed to provide open access to information for all interested individuals. Therefore, the event was intentionally made accessible to the general public, accommodating participation both in person and online. The session attracted a total of 195 participants; 120 attended in person, while 75 joined virtually. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Delegation of the European Union to Laos, university faculty members, students, and professionals from various organizations. The session served as an inclusive platform for sharing knowledge, fostering engagement, and encouraging dialogue among diverse stakeholders.

The session opened with keynote remarks from Mr. Mark Gallagher, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Lao PDR, who emphasized the EU’s commitment to strengthening higher education ties with Laos. This was followed by opening remarks from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lavanh Vongkhamsane, Director General of the Department of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of international academic cooperation.

Other key presentations included:

• Mr. Phouvong Phimmakong, Director for International Cooperation (EU & ASEAN Affairs) at NUoL, presented an introduction and overview of Erasmus+, with a special focus on the global dimension and capacity building in higher education.

• Assoc. Prof. Phanphasa Lomchanthala, Director of the Graduate Division and Lecturer at NUoL, shared best practices from the Advancing Strategic Management, Leadership and Fundraising in Higher Education in Asia (ASTRA) project.

• Dr. Soubin Sisavath, Deputy head of the International Mobility Division at NUoL, presented successful Capability Building in Higher Education (CBHE) practices, particularly curriculum development under the Tourism-Zero project, which focuses on zero-waste management in hospitality and tourism.

• Dr. Jenny Lind Elmaco (online), Key Expert/Academic Expert for Centralized Support to Erasmus+ National Focal Points at the European Commission, presented a detailed overview of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) and Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM), including scholarship application criteria and tips for both individuals and institutions.

• Dr. Md Ashiqur Rahman (online), Regional Manager – Asia, Centralized Support to Erasmus+ National Focal Points at the European Commission, presented an overview of International Credit Mobility (ICM).

Ms. Anoulack Chanthakhat, in her virtual presentation, introduced the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) and highlighted its role in supporting students and alumni, fostering global awareness about Erasmus Mundus higher education, and building a strong community through advocacy, mentorship, and outreach initiatives. Mr. Khammailee Vangxaolee, an alumnus of the Global Development Policy (GLODEP) Erasmus Mundus program, shared his academic and intercultural experiences during his two-year master’s in Europe. He also gave valuable tips on how to become a competitive candidate for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships.

The event fostered active engagement between Lao students, educators, alumni, and EU representatives, offering insights into the numerous opportunities Erasmus+ offers for both individuals and institutions in Laos. The discussions were full of energy and enthusiasm, highlighting the strong potential for continued collaboration and mutual learning between Laos and Europe.

By Anoulack Chanthakhat,

EMA's Country Representative for Lao PDR

*This event was funded by a grant from the European Commission (DG EAC) through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), under the Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA) Work Package 3.2.3, supporting members in sharing their Erasmus+ experiences at an individual level. The Erasmus Mundus Association’s Project Support Unit (PSU) provided vital support to activity leads, greatly contributing to the event’s success.