Pre-departure orientation for Nigerian beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ Joint Master Degree Programme for 2019-2020
The pre-departure orientation served as a platform to provide the new Erasmus+ scholars with first-hand information on the nature of their programme and to prepare them for their travels and studies in Europe.
At the all-day event held at Abuja’s Fraser Suites, alumni of Erasmus+, who now work in various fields, including the academics, the media and the corporate world, shared experiences with the new scholars and provided useful tips on what to expect in the course of their stay in Europe and how they can optimise the opportunity offered by the programme. Representatives of the EU Member States, whose home countries offered the opportunities of higher learning to the scholars and will be hosting them at some point during their sojourn in Europe, provided information on what to expect in their countries. The Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, the Deputy Head of Delegation, Mr Richard Young, and other staff of the EU Delegation were also present at the event.
Ambassador Ketil Karlsen noted that “Erasmus+ is the future of EU's relationship with Nigeria and it comes with responsibility”. He encouraged the students to make good use of the opportunity provided by the scholarship programme.
There were presentations on the EU Institutions, the EU’s engagement with Nigeria, a panel discussion by the Alumni who offered first-hand information and intimated the beneficiaries on things to look out for during their studies. The EU Member States also presented to give briefs about their countries.
A reception in honour of the Erasmus+ Awardees was hosted by the EU Ambassador later in the evening. In a convivial atmosphere that the reception presented, the beneficiaries were encouraged to network with one another, especially with those going to the same country, and also some of the alumni who were at the reception.
Pre - Departure Orientation for Nigerian beneficiaries of Eramus+ Scholarship
@EUErasmusPlus, #EU's flagship initiative on higher education, also supports exchange of students, academics, ideas and good practice between institutions.