15 May 2009

MORE AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS BOUND FOR EUROPE

More Australian students and scholars are enjoying study, teaching and research opportunities in the European Union thanks to the European Commission's Erasmus Mundus program.

For the 2009/2010 academic year, 20 Australian students and 36 Australian scholars have been selected to participate in the Erasmus Mundus Scheme.

Erasmus Mundus is a global scheme which aims to enhance the quality of European higher education through continuous worldwide dialogue and cooperation with third countries. It supports the international mobility of scholars and students, through offering scholarships to students to study, and scholars to teach in, selected European Masters Programs.

Students have been awarded more than A$34,500 per academic year for a maximum of two years, and scholars have been awarded more than A$21,300 for a maximum period of three months.

Erasmus Mundus II 2009-2013 is now underway and includes funding for European Joint Doctorates as well as increasing the number of European Masters Courses. The funding for EMII has been doubled to EUR930mn and it is expected that by 2013 the program will support 150 Masters Courses, 35 Joint Doctorates and over 13,000 scholarships will be awarded.

The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Australia and New Zealand, Ambassador David Daly, congratulated all scholarship recipients and said Erasmus Mundus is the opportunity of a lifetime for students and scholars alike to lean more about European cultures, languages and academic systems.

"In 2006 Australia and the European Commission signed a Declaration of Intent to further improve collaboration on education. Initiatives such as the Joint Mobility Projects, co-funded with the Department of Education Employment & Workplace Relations, the Europe Centres, the Jean Monnet Program and Erasmus Mundus will continue to build and foster relationships in order to uphold strong bonds between the EU and Australia for many years to come," Mr Daly said.

He was also pleased to learn that among the many talented recipients this year are some from Universities that are part of our Europe Centres Network including Griffith University, Monash University, Australian National University, La Trobe University, Flinders University and the University of Newcastle.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, a total number of 2316 third country students and scholars were selected for Erasmus Mundus scholarships worldwide.

Erasmus Mundus II is now underway and includes funding for European Joint Doctorates as well as increasing the number of European Masters Courses. The funding for EMII has been doubled to EUR930mn and it is expected that by 2013 the program will support 150 Masters courses, 35 Joint Doctorates and over 13,000 scholarships will be awarded.

SEE ALSO:

EUROPE CENTRES

STUDY IN EUROPE

ERASMUS

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