By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
Over 200 young Nigerians are to study in top European universities, under the European Union’s flagship educational programme, Erasmus Mundus.
The Erasmus Mundus educational programme which started in 1987 targeting European countries but later extended to other regions including Nigeria, is one of EU’s cooperation with Nigeria to reflect its commitment to widening the space and increasing opportunities for young Nigerians to actualise their dreams so as to play their role in contributing to the development of the country.
The studies will run for 12-24 months, and will see each beneficiary studying in at least three different universities in as many countries during the duration of the programme and on completion, each scholarship awardee will, receive a masters degree jointly awarded by a consortium of universities, in the framework of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme.
Key components of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme are high-level and integrated studies at masters level, delivered by an international partnership of higher education institutions and beneficiaries are expected to study in at least two EU Member States.
Announcing the latest scholarships at a press briefing in Abuja, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, said the EU priotises its educational partnership with Nigeria hence the steep increase in the number of Nigeria beneficiaries in the past two years from 44 to 200 reaffirming EU’s commitment to ramping up programmes and activities targeting Nigeria’s vibrant young people.
She said the gesture gives room for regular migration opportunities for ordinary Nigerians to travel abroad based on their capacity, merit and abilities in their respective fields adding that this year, the scholarship beneficiaries have opportunity to traverse 20 different European countries with a minimum of three countries and maximum of six countries for each student.
The Ambassador noted, the Erasmus programme is a life-changing experience, boosting opportunities for young Nigerians in and outside the country as it will enable them interact and exchange ideas with other students from different countries across the world.
Ms. Isopi emphasized that the programme is built on the belief that cultural exchange and education of the youth is fundamental for the socio-economic development of societies as a whole and also provides opportunities for mobility and cooperation with partner countries beyond Europe.
She further revealed that the EU Delegation to Nigeria, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is working hard to increase the number of Nigerian Higher Education Institutions that participate in the programmes which has an estimated budget of £26.2 billion.