For the second consecutive year, Pakistani students have claimed the top spot worldwide for the number of Erasmus Mundus scholarships awarded.
The European Union (EU) has awarded scholarships to a record number of 192 Pakistani students to pursue higher education at European universities through its renowned Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships program.
The batch comprises 103 men and 89 women, marking a significant step towards promoting educational and cultural exchange between Pakistan and Europe.
Pre-departure ceremony held in Islamabad
To celebrate this accomplishment, the European Union Delegation to Pakistan hosted a pre-departure event, where the scholarship recipients were honored.
“This is the second year in a row that Pakistan ranked top in the world for the number of scholarships awarded and remained in the lead in terms of scholarship applications,” the EU said in its statement.
During the event, EU Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Seiler congratulated the young men and women embarking on their educational and cultural journey through the Erasmus+ program. Seiler highlighted the immense value of this experience, emphasizing that the students’ exposure to European universities would contribute significantly to the development of Pakistan.
“The scholarship selection results demonstrate that Pakistani students are well-prepared, and their universities equip them with the necessary skills to compete on a global level,” stated Mr. Seiler. He expressed his satisfaction that an increasing number of Pakistani students are gaining access to the Erasmus+ program.
“I am sure that they will return with strong knowledge and rich experiences, and their exposure to European universities will also contribute to the development of Pakistan.”
The pre-departure event, held in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), was an opportunity for the scholarship recipients to familiarize themselves with the upcoming educational experience in Europe. It also provided a platform for networking among their peers and Erasmus+ Alumni. The Erasmus+ Alumni shared their invaluable experiences, followed by a question and answer session.
Erasmus+ Scholarship Program
Out of 2,835 students from 128 countries selected for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships this year from all around the world, Pakistan emerged as a significant contributor to the program’s diversity and inclusivity.
Erasmus+ is the EU’s flagship program supporting education, training, youth, and sport globally. Originally launched in 1987 for exchanges within Europe, it expanded its reach beyond Europe’s borders in 2004. The program funds various initiatives, projects, scholarships, and fosters cooperation within the European Union and worldwide.
The current Erasmus+ program, launched in March 2021, allocates over 23.2 billion Euros to support mobility and cooperation in the higher education sector worldwide.
