On November 21, 2024, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) inaugurated its first European Union (EU) Centre in Indonesia. The event included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih and EU Ambassador to Indonesia, HE Denis Chaibi. The EU Centre also organized a seminar aimed at discussing research and scholarship opportunities available to the academic community.
The seminar was held at Ternate Hall within the ASEEC Tower on UNAIR’s Dharmawangsa-B campus. Alumni Dr. KRMH Tatas Brotosudarmo and Amalia Nurul Muthmainnah, who have previously received scholarships for research and study in Europe, shared their experiences during the event.
Increased Research Opportunities
Since 2021, the EU has invested over €95 billion in research and innovation programs, significantly enhancing opportunities for Indonesian students enrolled in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies. This funding supports various initiatives, including the Annual Research Conference (ARC) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
Dr. Brotosudarmo discussed the valuable training provided by the MSCA program, noting that it not only prepares doctoral candidates for careers in academia and research but also fosters holistic problem-solving skills suitable for industry applications. The program emphasizes high mobility, enabling students to conduct research across multiple universities and within industrial settings, while also encouraging diverse multicultural experiences through collaboration within Horizon Europe.
Scholarship Programs
Besides research, the EU offers a variety of study scholarships at European universities. Erasmus+ serves as a primary initiative for EU activities related to youth education, training, and sports. Muthmainnah pointed out that Erasmus+ allows master’s degree students to study at two universities in different countries through a consortium-based framework, affording participants the flexibility to select from universities included in the consortium.
This multifaceted educational approach not only enhances academic development but also broadens international exposure for students.
Author: Afifah Alfina
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
Source: https://unair.ac.id/en/eu-centre-opens-research-and-scholarship-opportunities-in-europe/
