EU’s Erasmus Mundus scholarship helping students achieve their dream

KM Nazmul Islam had a dream to pursue higher studies on industrial ecology and to help industries in Bangladesh. His dream was fading away as no Bangladeshi University offers courses on the subject. After completing his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Environmental Science from Chittagong University, he was looking for an opportunity to study industrial ecology, but all his efforts seemed to be in vain.   However, he came to learn about the European Union’s (EU) Erasmus Mundus programme, which offered scholarship on industrial ecology and without any delay he applied. After a tough selection process, he was selected for the scholarship. Nazmul is leaving for The Netherlands and Sweden in a few months’ time to finally achieve his dream.   “This is an excellent opportunity for Bangladeshi students. I could not obtain higher education on industrial ecology here in Bangladesh, but Erasmus Mundus scholarship is helping me to achieve my dream,” said Nazmul, who is now working as an assistant professor at Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences at University of Chittagong.    Like Nazmul, 54 other Bangladeshi students have been selected for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship this year to study in different countries in the EU for 2013-2014. Most of them are going to study on some highly technical subjects, some of which are not offered by Bangladeshi Universities.    Ambassador William Hanna, head of delegation of the EU to Bangladesh, believes this scholarship programme will contribute to the development of Bangladesh.   “I am sure that their European experience will be rewarding and that when they return home, they will contribute to the development of Bangladesh,” he said.    The Ambassador said, the selection of the scholarship is quite competitive, but Bangladeshi students are doing well among other international students.     He said, six more Bangladeshi students have been selected this year than the previous year.   The reception of the 54 students was held on Thursday at the Ambassador’s house in Gulshan. The member state’s representatives were present at the reception as well. The 54   Bangladeshi students thanked the EU for giving the opportunity to achieve their dream.    Speaking at the reception, Ambassador William Hanna said “In Bangladesh, education and skills development is one of the focal sectors of the delegation. An important amount has been allocated to primary education through government and civil society, but we also focus on other areas such as TVET and Higher Education.”   For the 2013-2014 academic year, 54 Bangladeshi students have been selected including 11 female students, from a total number of 2,330 scholarships.    Out of 54 Bangladeshi scholarships, five are for PhD students and 49 for postgraduate students. Since the inception of Erasmus Mundus programme in 2001, 486 Bangladeshi nationals have been awarded the scholarship so far.    However, the Erasmus programme was created in 1987. It is the European Union’s flagship educational exchange programme for higher education students, teachers and institutions, which allow European students to study and live in other European countries.   In 2001, an extension of the original Erasmus programme was created by the name Erasmus Mundus, thus allowing students from outside Europe to study and live in Europe. One unique aspect of the programme is that students will get to study in at least two different European nations.    The 54 Bangladeshi students will enrol in a wide variety of programmes like new technologies, engineering, computer sciences, sustainable development, renewable energy, disaster management, maritime and water studies, agriculture, social sciences and health.     These students will spend their academic year in universities from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Norway.   Abu Sahid, an assistant professor at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), who has also been selected for the scholarship this year believes that this programme will help him to deliver better teaching to his students.    “I am determined that I will return to Bangladesh and continue teaching at DUET. The programme will help me to give world class teaching to my students,” he said.     Abu is going to Romania for his PhD in Textile engineering. He thinks that textile engineering is very important for the development of Bangladesh and he wants to use his knowledge for the development of textile sector in Bangladesh.    Jisan Afrin, assistant manager at Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation, who is going to Sweden to study on agriculture, food and environment, thinks that this type of programme will change Bangladesh.    “If we can use the knowledge, we will learn there for the development of Bangladesh, we will get a new Bangladesh,” she said.     The programme is the opening door for all types of Bangladeshi students to study in EU countries. Students can receive scholarships for post grad and undergraduate degrees in higher education. Doctoral candidates can receive fellowships for Doctoral studies and post-doctoral studies. Teachers and researchers can receive fellowships for- teaching and research periods while other academic staff can also receive scholarships or fellowships.