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Erasmus Mundus Networking Evening
On November 15th, 2019, a total of 69 students, alumni and consortium partners gathered at the Solbosch Campus of the Université libre de Bruxelles (Free University of Brussels) in Belgium for this ESAA-project: an Erasmus Mundus Networking (EMA) Evening. The main aim of the event was to initiate synergies among EMA and Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) current students, alumni, and consortium coordinators in Belgium and increase their visibilities.
According to recent statistical data published by the European Commission, there is a relatively low participation of the European students (approximately 20%) in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programmes (EMJMDP). The findings suggest that there is a need to further promote Erasmus Mundus programmes. In this regard, the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), partner organisation of the Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA), together with the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) has successfully organised a networking evening called Erasmus Mundus Networking Evening on the 15th of November 2019 at the auditorium of ULB Solbosh Campus. The aim of the event was to promote international learning mobility opportunities, to spread Erasmus+ and widen the participation of students in EMJMD Programmes, as well as initiating synergies between EMA and EMJMD Programmes in Belgium. Thanks to the continuous support from the Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA), we managed to gather 69 participants including EMJMD current students, alumni, and consortium coordinators in Belgium, ULB representatives and EMA management board member representative.
The event was divided into five main agendas: opening, interactive panel discussion, EMA and ESAA introduction, alumni sharing session and the networking event. The event started with a warm welcome address by Prof. Judith le Maire de Romsée, the Vice Rector for International Relations and Development Cooperation at ULB. Furthermore, it was followed by an interactive panel discussion about the role of EMJMD students as the ambassador of the EMJMD programme and the impact of international learning mobility on the employability or career prospect of EMJMD students and alumni. The panel included three panellists: two programme coordinators of two different EMJMD Programmes and the Vice President of EMA and it was moderated by the head of International Welcome Desk ULB, Ms. Sue Black. The participants were actively involved during the panel discussion session.
The next in the agenda was a presentation about EMA and ESAA Project by the Vice President of EMA, Ms. Marsela Husen. She highlighted the importance of synergies between EMA and the EMJMD programme coordinators, student and alumni. She also introduced ESAA projects as a platform for the current EMJMD students and alumni to work together under some thematic project scheme. We were glad to know that many students found this session helpful and informative. The fourth agenda was the sharing session and success stories from two current EMJMD current students and two alumni. Each of them was studying in four different EMJMD programmes. They shared how beneficial the learning mobility experience was for them - especially how it boosted the employability for the alumni - and also some knowledge of new languages for current students.
The event was concluded by a reception and walking networking dinner. All participant had the opportunity to network with students, alumni and professor from different EMJMD programmes in Belgium and EMA representatives. This session was especially important as it may be the beginning of a better synergy among the EMJMD stakeholders in Belgium. We believe that this event is a new milestone for a closer collaboration between EMA and EMJMD stakeholders in Belgium in the future.
Edited by Service Provider