Full Title: 

Global Mobility & ERASMUS+: Promotion of Erasmus+ Programmes and Fostering Cooperation in Higher Education in Under-represented Countries in Eastern Africa

​

Project Members:

Lina Mkoji, Neringa Tumenaite, Cornelius Okello, Apiyo Okwiri; Oscar Boije

 

Project Start & End:

April 2019 

​

Project Summary:

The GMEEA - Global Mobility & ERASMUS+: Promotion of Erasmus+ Programmes and Fostering Cooperation in Higher Education in Under-represented Countries in Eastern Africa project was implemented in form of a 2-day workshop held on April 11th - 12th, 2019 at the Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. 

​

The aim of the project was to gather university officials, ERASMUS+ alumni and representatives from the European and African Union (EU and AU) to provide capacity building and to steer improvements in Higher Education in the region and in Africa at large, by promoting ERASMUS+ to 6 countries in the Eastern African region which have little or no representation in the programme. The countries were: the Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, the Seychelles, Somalia, and South Sudan. 

​

The successful event attracted several high-ranking government and university officials from the different countries, including the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University who invited the attendees for a courtesy call at his office. The guests were: the Honourable Minister of State of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia accompanied by a delegation of Rectors, VCs and Presidents of several universities; the then EU Ambassador to Kenya; and the then Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the EU to Somalia. 

​

To emphasise on the numerous opportunities of Erasmus+ in Africa and the potential of the project in fostering international cooperation and diversity, the Director-General Education Youth, Sport and Culture, addressed the audience through a recorded video message. Through a prepared speech, the Education Division of the African Union also articulated the various programmes it is spearheading within the continent. Apart from the ESAA grant, the project was supported through the sponsorship of 7 delegates from the Comoros and Somalia. The venue at KU was also offered free of charge.

​

This workshop spread the awareness of Erasmus+ opportunities for institutions, students and staff to high-level officials at universities. Consequently, it paved the way for 3 information sessions for students and staff in Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland in November and December 2019. 

​

The best thing this year was receiving news that 2 students had been awarded the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree scholarship in 2020!