Erasmus

Citation

(2006), "Erasmus", Education + Training, Vol. 48 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2006.00448aab.011

Erasmus

Some 190 European universities in 21 countries are now involved in a total of 57 master’s courses under the Erasmus Mundus programme, which supports co-operation between EU universities and those in non-EU states. Erasmus Mundus is establishing itself as a popular and well-known programme of excellence in and beyond Europe, said Ján Figel, when presenting a report on the programme’s second year of operation. “As the number of selected master’s courses grows, each year thousands of students and academics will come to study in Europe for up to two years.”

The Commissioner has also launched the first partnerships with universities outside the EU to facilitate the outward mobility of European students and researchers, to enrich their studies back home in Europe. Some 38 non-EU universities in 17 countries are involved in this new avenue for study, and further partnerships will be selected each year. The recently completed third call for proposals under Erasmus Mundus prompted 150 applications for master’s courses under Action 1 of the programme, involving hundreds of European universities. Action 1 promotes high-quality integrated master’s courses in consortia of at least three universities in at least three different European countries. Independent experts assessed the applications, and a selection board consisting of 12 leading figures from European academia produced a list of the 21 best courses. All 21 courses will operate for five years beginning in September 2006. The disciplines covered range from nanotechnology to tropical forestry and from lifelong learning to European culture.

Action 3 of the programme has now also been launched. This sets up partnerships with universities outside the EU to facilitate the outward mobility of European students and scholars to enrich their studies. Nine such Erasmus Mundus partnerships have been awarded. These will enable 570 European students and 120 academics to study and do research at a non-EU partner university.

The Commission has also selected seven co-operation projects, which aim at enhancing the attractiveness of European higher education in the world. They involve institutions in and outside the EU and deal with multifaceted activities such as the promotion of specific academic disciplines or geographical areas, counselling and distance education.