On Thursday 27th April 2017, the Centre for European Studies in cooperation with the European Union in Ghana hosted a forum at the University of Ghana, to commemorate 30 years of European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students (ERASMUS).
For over 25 years, Europe has funded the Erasmus programme, which has enabled over 3 million European students spend part of their studies in higher education institutions elsewhere in Europe. Now Erasmus+ opens up these opportunities to individuals and organisations from other parts of the world including Ghana.
The forum sought to enlighten participants on the opportunities available after having attained a scholarship to be on the Erasmus+ programme and the benefits that come with it.
In attendance were H. E. William Hanna -European Union Ambassador to Ghana,ProfessorRansfordGyampo- Director of the Centre for European Studies, HE ChristoffRetzlaff-German Ambassador, HE Giovanni Favilli- Italian Ambassador, HE Ron Strikker-Dutch Ambassador, HE Maria Alonso – Spanish Ambassador, Cécile Vigneau -Acting Head of Mission for the French Embassy and alumni of the Erasmus+ programme who shared their experiences with students and faculty.
As part of the event,the dignitaries jointly unveiled a plaque for the newly created Centre for European Studies.
In his address, William Hanna stated that “In total, 267 students from Ghana have been offered scholarships from the Erasmus Mundus joint Master Degree Programme and 42 doctoral candidates have received fellowships. A total of 22 outstanding students including 4 doctoral fellows from Ghana were selected in 2016”. As evidenced by the testimonies of the alumni present, the scheme presents a perfect opportunity not just to develop one’s self academically but to also develop one’s self as an individual living in an increasing globalised world.
Ghanaian beneficiaries of the Erasmus Programme who shared their experiences with participants at the forum included Ms. Alberta Jonah, a Marine Expert and PhD candidate at the University of Cape Coast and Mr. John Eliasu Mahama, International Health Expert.
Europe looks forward to hosting Ghanaian students under the Erasmus Mundus scheme even as it celebrates 30 years of being in existence.
Ivana Obeng Odei.
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