Calls for applicants

Important Deadline for Application for Erasmus Mundus Master Courses: 2011-2013

Agricultural Fields:

Master of Science in Sustainable Tropical Forestry (Sutrofor): 1 December 2010
Master of Science in Sustainable Forest and Nature Management (Sufonama): 1 December 2010
Master of Science in Food of Life: 1 December 2010
International Master of Science in Rural Development (IMRD): 31 December 2010
Master of Science in Sustainable Development in Agriculture (Agris Mundus): No call yet
Master of Science in European Forestry (MsEF): 31 December 2010
International Master in Horticultural Sciences (IMaHS): No call yet
European Master in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Policy Analysis (AFEPA): No call yet
European Master in Animal Breeding and Genetics (EM-ABG): 15 December 2010

Information Technology:

International Master in Management of IT (IMMIT): 15 January 2011
Master of Science in Color in Informatics and Media Technology (CIMET): 28 January 2011
European Master's Course in Embedded Computing Systems (EMECS): No call yet
Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies (MscGT): 15 January 2011

Communication and journalism:
Master of Science in Journalism, Media and Globalization: Call  in October, deadline 1 March 2011
Master of Science in Research on Information and Communication Technologies (MERIT): 11/01/11

Joint Doctoral Program
AgTrain-Agricultural Transformation by Innovation: 22 November 2010

36 Cambodian students and academic staffs to study and teach in Europe

In the academic year 2009-2010, the European Union (EU) will fund for 36 Cambodian students and academic staffs to study and teach in Europe under European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus scholarship programme. Remarkably, the number of students is 7 times higher than the previous year which only 5 students were awarded the scholarship through Erasmus Mundus Master Courses. The year 2009 is the second phase of the EU Erasmus Mundus scholarship programme which not only supports the master degree programme but also undergraduate, graduate, doctorate, and post-doctorate levels. Under the new program called “Erasmus Mundus Mobility for Regional Asia” (EMMA), Cambodian students and academic staffs are given a chance to study and teach at European universities in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Turkey.

Rapid - Press Releases - EUROPA

The Commission welcomes the adoption of Erasmus Mundus II by the European Parliament

The European Commission welcomes today's vote in the European Parliament in favour of establishing the second phase of Erasmus Mundus (2009-2013) programme. The European Union will thus continue to support joint programmes in Europe with grants to the most highly-talented students and professors from third countries, but will also extend the scope of the programme to the doctoral level and give more financial support to European students.

The European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel', said: "I am grateful to the European Parliament for the support they have shown today for the new phase of the Erasmus Mundus programme. Erasmus Mundus is a world-class, top-quality programme that promotes academic excellence, intercultural understanding, but also people-to-people contacts. With the significantly increased budget of € 950 million we will be able to meet the growing demand for this successful programme. It will reinforce the role of European higher education as a world reference. The Erasmus Mundus alumni are the ambassadors of openness and intercultural dialogue, citizens of a more cooperative world."

Erasmus Mundus is a European co-operation and mobility programme in the field of higher education which promotes the European Union as a worldwide centre of excellence in learning. By the end of its first phase (2004-2008), more than 6,000 students from outside Europe will have received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to obtain a degree in Europe, and more than 1,000 teaching staff from third countries will have been given a scholarship to actively contribute to Master's courses in teaching or research activities.

Erasmus Mundus II builds on the current Erasmus Mundus programme by:

• extending the coverage to include doctoral level studies. Currently, the Erasmus Mundus scheme is aimed at Master's level only.
• giving higher grants to European students so they are ensured fair treatment vis-à-vis third-country students.
• integrating the so-called "Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window" (EM ECW) under the "Erasmus Mundus" umbrella in order to offer a more homogeneous and visible image of European higher education to the world. The aim of this action is to promote understanding and mutual enrichment between the European Union and third countries in the field of higher education by promoting the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills at higher education level, and particularly 'Erasmus'-style mobility (a study period abroad which forms part of a degree at home).
• encouraging third-country higher education institutions to participate as full members in the consortia and eventually to deliver the joint degree course at home.

Erasmus Mundus II will have a budget of € 950 million, four times more than was available for the first phase of the programme (€ 230 million for 2004 – 2008).

The first joint initiatives under the new actions of Erasmus Mundus II are expected to start in academic year 2009/10, but the mobility under the new actions will take place as of 2010/11. The Commission is committed to taking the necessary steps so that the selection process for the new Erasmus Mundus courses is completed within approximately 18 months:

• 6 months to launch call for proposals and carry out selection procedures for Erasmus Mundus courses;
• 6 months for successful courses to invite students to submit applications and carry out the selection of the successful candidates;
• 6 months before the start of academic year to inform the selected students

Source: Rapid - Press Releases - EUROPA

Seven Cambodian graduates receive EU Erasmus Mundus scholarships

Seven Cambodian students have won post-graduate scholarships to study in the European Union (EU) through the EU's Erasmus Mundus programme. The seven students will study master's degree programmes in European universities during the academic year 2006-2007.
"Erasmus Mundus is the European Union's flagship scholarship programme that provides opportunities for students and academics worldwide, to study or undertake research in Europe. I am delighted that the number of Cambodian students winning Erasmus Mundus scholarships is increasing and I congratulate them on their achievement. The programme will help prepare these outstanding students to play a valuable role in their chosen fields when they return to Cambodia," said Mr Winston Mc Colgan, Chargé d' Affaires a.i. of the Delegation of the European Commission to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
For the 2005-2006 academic year, three Cambodian students won Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
Erasmus Mundus students study for a European masters' degree for one or two years. The programme is unique, as it sees the students study in at least two universities located in two different European countries. This gives them not only a top class education but also the chance to experience a variety of cultures and languages. Students are admitted to these courses after a competitive process, ensuring that the Erasmus Mundus programme draws highly talented students.
The seven Cambodian students are Sa Kennvidy and Chay Kong Kruy, who won scholarships to study an International Master of Science in Rural Development; Song Sophy and Voeun Vuthy, for the International Master in Quaternary and Prehistory; Hel Rithy for the European Master in Global Studies; Ly Proyuth for AGRIS MUNDUS - Sustainable Development in Agriculture; and Seng Bopha for CoMundus-European Master of Arts in Media, Communications and Cultural Studies.
Since its launch in 2004, the Erasmus Mundus programme has proven extremely popular. The level of demand from third-country graduates and academics to participate has increased rapidly. For the 2006-2007 academic year, the European Commission has selected 1,377 foreign students and 231 scholars to receive Erasmus Mundus scholarships.

Source: http://www.delkhm.ec.europa.eu/en/whatsnew/july_06_2006.htm

Cambodian students win scholarships in Europe

Five Cambodian students will pursue their higher education in Europe next year thanks to the European Commission (EC)’s Erasmus Mundus scholarship program, which is funded by the European Union. “Four males and one female student will pursue university courses in at least two European countries, giving them the additional opportunity to learn about various European cultures, languages and academic systems,” said Rafael Dochao Moreno, Charge d’ Affaires of the EC delegation to Cambodia.

Meas Bunly, a media student, said that the Erasmus Mundus scholarship program will cover all their expenses while they are studying in Europe. “I will get 21,000 Euros (US$31,500) per year, including accommodation, health service, food, and other facilities,” said Bunly. He added that scholarship seekers now have a great opportunity to apply for next year’s program. Candidates are required to meet three main criteria: a good academic record, motivational letter and have good English – they must score at least 6 points in the International English Language Testing System. Bou Molika, the only female student, noted that it is simple to apply for and is not just available to newly graduated students, but also every government and NGO worker. Tuition fees are based on the courses taken. “There is no exact amount of money which will be spent on the scholarship. It depends on which university they will study at,” said Simone Seper, program officer education of the delegation. The Erasmus Mundus scholarship aims to enhance the quality of European higher education through dialogue and cooperation with non-EU countries. Since 2004 more than 6,000 students and over 1,000 teaching staff have received scholarships to study, teach or do research for European master’s courses. Eighteen Cambodian university graduates have received Erasmus Mundus scholarships since 2005. Past and present Erasmus Mundus beneficiaries recently decided to establish the Cambodian Erasmus Mundus Association (CEMA) to provide a forum for networking and communication, and promote the program among Cambodian students. “I am sure these students will find the experience very enriching, both from an academic and a personal perspective,”

Rafael Moreno said at the delegation departure party. He added that when they return the students should help develop their country and become ambassadors of Europe to help Cambodians better understand the continent and its culture.

So Sorthy & Sor Chandara (The Mekong Times, Thursday, August 14, 2008)

Mekong Time