European Union (EU) delegation in Accra has organised an orientation exercise for some 60 Ghanaian students who have been selected for the European Union’s (EU) Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJMD) Programme to pursue higher education in some top universities across Europe.
The pre-departure orientation served as a platform to provide the new Erasmus+ scholars with first-hand information on the nature of their programme and to prepare them for their travels and studies in Europe.
The EMJMD programme is one of the initiatives under Erasmus+ that offers scholarships to students from EU partner-countries to study in European institutions and contribute to the exchange of knowledge and ideas across cultures.
The scholarship provides an opportunity for students to broaden their career horizons, gain top-class knowledge, and develop global perspectives through studying. It covers a wide range of disciplines – including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts and Business.
The scholarship covers the tuition fees, accommodation and monthly stipends to ensure students have a stress-free setting to fully concentrate on their studies and give their best.
Over the years, Ghana has recorded an increase in the number of beneficiaries to the progamme, and this year’s 60 students is the highest. Last year, about 45 students joined their counterparts from other African countries for the programme.
EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, at the pre-departure event, stated that the EU has a long-standing mutually beneficial relationship with Ghana, and education features strongly in the areas of support. He assured that the EU would continue to invest in human resource development for the purpose of championing economic development in the country upon the return of these talents.
He said the EU was strongly committed to promoting mobility, diversity and excellence in higher education through Erasmus+ and other education programmes in Africa and Ghana with the aim to nurture leaders, foster global networks and create a more inclusive and interconnected world.
“The Erasmus+ offers Ghanaian youths a unique opportunity to gain top-level academic experience throughout their journeys in Europe. I am hopeful that the scholarship would shape the skills and character of beneficiaries, as well as prepare them for competitive and stimulating careers,” he said.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Education Maamle Andrews, on her part, expressed that Ghana recognised the importance of education in driving sustainable development; and as a developing country, she believes that investing in the education of its citizens, especially the young ones, would shore up the human capital index and position the country to realise its national goals.
She charged recipients of the scholarship to be ambassadors of Ghana by representing the nation and its values on the global stage and immersing themselves in the academic, cultural and social experiences offered by the host institutions.
“Build lasting friendships and connections. Remember that education is a lifelong journey, and the knowledge and skills you acquire during this programme will be invaluable throughout your lives. We look forward to your return to Ghana, equipped with new perspectives, innovative ideas and a determination to contribute to the growth and development of our great nation,” she added.
