European Union offers scholarships for 50 students
ISLAMABAD: The European Union provides prestigious Erasmus Mundus (EM) scholarships to students of different Pakistani Universities. Recently 50 students have been selected to begin their studies in Europe in the academic year 2009-2010. The EM scholars will study at master and doctoral level in joint programmes of outstanding academic quality which are designed and implemented by a consortium of European Universities from at least three different countries. Programmes include a study and research period, in at least two Universities, and students will be awarded double, multiple or joint degrees. Under this fully funded scholarship programme the European Commission pays up to € 42,000 (approximately 4,400,000 Rupees) for a period of two academic years depending on the course chosen from 103 available Master courses. All students who have been awarded scholarships will be covered free of charge by an insurance scheme against risks to health, accident, death, permanent invalidity and civil responsibility. The Ambassador of the European Commission to Pakistan, Mr Jan de Kok said that "To date more than 300 students and scholars from Pakistan have already benefited from the prestigious Erasmus Mundus scholarships, worth more than € 10 million. Pakistani students will live and study in European countries and participate in studies and research of academic excellence". In addition to higher education scholarships, the European Commission supports basic education in NWFP and Sindh and is launching an ambitious programme to improve vocational education in all provinces including AJK. The EM programme supports academic excellence and the attractiveness of Europe's higher education worldwide, and fosters cooperation with targeted third countries such as Pakistan with the objective of contributing to their development. One of the main objectives of this programme is to achieve mutual enrichment and better understanding between the EU and non-EU countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills at the higher education level. More information about this on-going scholarship programme of the European Commission, including eligibility criteria and application procedures, can be found.
