ADDIS ABABA – More than 600 Ethiopian students have benefitted from free education opportunities provided through the Erasmus+ education and training programme since 2010, according to the Ministry of Education.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Dr Eba Mijena, Academic Affairs Executive Director at the Ministry and National Erasmus+ Representative, stated that these scholarships, funded by the European Union (EU), have enabled Ethiopian students to study abroad under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Programmes.
Dr Eba noted that Ethiopia has consistently ranked among the top ten countries globally, and among the top five in Africa, for both the number of applicants and the successful selection of students for the Erasmus+ scholarships since 2004.
For the 2024–2025 academic year alone, 48 Ethiopian students were awarded full master’s scholarships through the Erasmus+ Programme. These recipients will undertake two-year, full-time postgraduate studies at leading universities across 12 European countries.
“The Erasmus programme has positioned Ethiopia as one of its key beneficiaries,” Dr Eba explained. “It not only supports individual academic advancement but also contributes significantly to national human capital development through international academic cooperation.”
He emphasised the need to further strengthen the education and training partnership between Ethiopia and the EU by improving the quality and relevance of programmes, enhancing collaboration among educational institutions, and promoting effective development cooperation.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are coordinated by university consortia comprising institutions from at least two EU member states. In the previous academic year (2023–2024), 53 Ethiopian students were similarly awarded scholarships.
This year’s cohort, like those before them, will study a broad range of subjects in various European countries. The programme also promotes intercultural exchange, language acquisition, and professional development.
Beyond higher education, Ethiopia has also benefitted from Erasmus+ initiatives in the fields of sports and youth engagement.
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