- Pakistan retains its top global ranking for receiving the highest number of scholarships awarded to students for studying at renowned European universities.
- 192 Pakistani students secure scholarships under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master program by the European Union.
- The EU Delegation in Pakistan organizes a pre-departure event to celebrate the achievement and support the scholars’ educational journey.
Pakistan has once again secured the top position globally for achieving the highest number of scholarships granted to students for studying at prestigious universities in Europe.
The European Union (EU) has awarded scholarships to a total of 192 Pakistani students under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships program.
Out of the recipients from Pakistan, 103 are male while 89 are female students. The European Union Delegation to Pakistan expressed its delight at Pakistan’s consecutive top ranking in terms of both scholarship applications and awards.
To celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, the EU delegation, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), organised a special event before the students’ departure. The event aimed to honour and recognise the achievements of the scholarship recipients.
During the event, Thomas Seiler, the EU Chargé d’Affaires, warmly welcomed the young scholars who will embark on their educational and cultural journey through the Erasmus+ programme. Seiler expressed confidence that they will gain valuable knowledge and enriching experiences, ultimately contributing to the development of Pakistan.
He also acknowledged the exceptional preparation of Pakistani students and commended Pakistani universities for equipping them with the necessary skills to compete on a global scale. Seiler expressed appreciation for the increasing number of Pakistani students availing themselves of the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ programme.
The pre-departure event held in Islamabad provided an invaluable platform for scholarship recipients to prepare for their education in Europe and connect with fellow students and Erasmus+ Alumni. The event featured sharing of experiences by Erasmus+ Alumni, followed by an interactive question and answer session. Dr. Shaista Sohail, Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission, representatives from EU Member States, and members of the Erasmus+ Alumni Association were also in attendance.
This year, a total of 2,835 students from 128 countries have been selected for the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships. The Erasmus+ programme, which supports education, training, youth, and sports globally, is the flagship initiative of the European Union.
Initially launched in 1987 for exchanges within Europe, it expanded beyond Europe’s borders in 2004. The programme provides funding for various initiatives, projects, and scholarships, fostering cooperation within the European Union and across the globe.
Launched in March 2021, the Erasmus+ programme offers over 23.2 billion Euros worldwide to support mobility and collaboration in the higher education sector.
16th, June, 2023: Pakistani students have once again proved their skills and talent to the world by securing the highest number of EU (Erasmus Mundus) scholarships. The official Twitter account of EU Pakistan shared the stats on Thursday (June 15)
This year, at least 2,835 students have been selected for scholarships from across the world. Although this number is at least 6.0 percent lower than the number of students selected last year, it still shows the EU’s commitment to providing high-quality education to talented students nationwide.
According to stats shared by EUPakistan, out of the 2,835 students selected for the program 192 are from Pakistan. India comes second with around 174 scholarships. The others in the top 5 are Bangladesh (140), Mexico (118), and Nigeria (109). These students will study at 146 Erasmus Mundus joint degree programs at different European universities.
The precipitous fall of the Pakistani rupee and the country’s economic concerns have created difficulties for Pakistani students to explore better education opportunities elsewhere. With programs like the EU-funded Erasmus Mundus scholarship, students will have a chance to learn new skills and contribute to the economy of their homeland more effectively.
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Second Time in a Row
This is the second time that Pakistani students have bagged the highest number of scholarships. Last year, too, Pakistan topped the list of securing the most scholarship awards, implying how the country has a number of talented young people who need good opportunities to hone their skills.
Scholarships for Flood-Affected People
In the second half of 2022, devastating floods across the country left thousands of people homeless. Not only did the floods cause human losses, but they also led to infrastructural damage, washing away educational institutions.
Understanding the gravity of the situation in the country, the US offered around 500 new scholarships for university students living in flood-affected areas. The announcement came in March this year during the Women’s Day celebrations held by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Islamabad. The initiative is aimed at helping displaced students acquire relevant skills that can assist them in rebuilding their lives.
EU Scholarships and the Way Forward
Pakistani students possess a lot of talent and have the potential to become world leaders. Such initiatives will not allow students to study at prestigious institutions but will also provide them an opportunity to interact with people from different cultures.
Once they return to the country, they’ll have top-notch skills that will help put the country on the path to success and progress.
This achievement also calls for the government to announce good education initiatives for students at the primary and secondary levels so that they can compete with international students for such highly competitive scholarships.
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