• Honourable Dr Kaviraj Sharma SUKON, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research;

• Professor Kiran BHUJUN, Director Tertiary & Scientific Research & Erasmus + National Focal Point (ENFP);

• Heads of Universities, academics and students;

• Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning !

INTRODUCTION - The Spirit of Erasmus

It is a great pleasure to be here today, and I extend my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research and to the Erasmus National Focal Point for inviting me to share my thoughts on the Erasmus Programme.

This initiative holds a special place in the heart of Europe’s commitment to education, youth empowerment, and intercultural exchange.

Named after the great humanist and scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam, the Erasmus programme embodies his ideals of learning, knowledge-sharing, and connecting youths, students and academics connecting across borders.

Since its inception in 1987, the Programme has grown to become one of the European Union’s most iconic initiatives, fostering academic excellence and cultural understanding across the globe.

I am therefore pleased to address you today on this workshop to promote the prestigious EU-funded Erasmus programme.

Erasmus - A Programme of Opportunities

Erasmus is not merely about studying abroad; it is about broadening horizons and embracing new challenges.

Erasmus is the perfect opportunity for young people to become independent, adapt to new environments, and engage with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

For academics and staff, Erasmus fosters professional development, promotes innovative teaching methods, and strengthens research collaborations.

Over the years, the programme has expanded its reach through Erasmus+, which encompasses not only higher education but also vocational training and youth initiatives.

With a total budget of €26.2 billion for the period 2021-2027, Erasmus+ is empowering individuals to thrive in a globalized world.

Remarkably, over ten million students from more than 33 countries have benefitted from the programme since its launch. Each year, over 300,000 participants engage in this life-changing experience.

Empowering Youth and Academics in Mauritius

Here in Mauritius, we have witnessed the transformative power of Erasmus first-hand.

Each year, Mauritian students and academics embark on journeys to Europe, returning with enriched perspectives, innovative ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJMD) continues to provide incredible opportunities to Mauritian Students and academics from seven universities of the country:

• From 2005 to 2024, about 25 Mauritian students benefited from this prestigious scholarship.
• Under the 2022 and 2023 Call for Proposals, 43 staff and 24 students benefited from the International Credit Mobility (ICM).
• Thanks to these scholarships, Mauritians travelled to 15 different European countries!
• The Erasmus Programme also bring European staff to the Mauritian universities. So even Mauritian students who stay at home benefit from this international cooperation with Europe!!
• Last year, I was pleased to meet three young women who have already benefited or were embarking on their academic journeys across Europe, from Toulouse to Lisbon. They spoke with such enthusiasm about the incredible opportunities Erasmus has afforded them—not only to study at top universities in Europe, but also to immerse themselves in the rich diversity and culture of the continent.

The programme is also increasing contributing to improve the Mauritian higher education sector through the Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education component:

• About five years ago, The University of Mascareignes together with other local and regional universities (Madagascar, Seychelles) developed a high level training programme in energy transition; a priority sector for both the EU and the Indian Ocean.

• These last 2 years, higher education institutions from Mauritius took part in cooperation projects with partners from Europe and elsewhere in Africa.

• For example one project is developing university-business cooperation for entrepreneurship in the ‘blue economy’, bringing together partners from Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar with Spanish, Portuguese and German universities.

• Another project is updating energy curricula to make them more sustainable and more student-centred, with partners from Mauritius, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Italy and Sweden.

These initiatives highlight Erasmus’s role in bridging academic expertise with real-world challenges, empowering higher education institutions to contribute meaningfully to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Building Bridges and promoting inclusion through Erasmus

In today’s interconnected world, the Erasmus Programme serves as a bridge—linking continents, fostering dialogue, and promoting mutual respect. It instils values of inclusivity, tolerance, and collaboration, which are essential for addressing the complex issues of our time.

Erasmus embraces inclusion and ensure that no one is left behind. In fact, provided they meet the academic requirements, individuals from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, those living remote areas, and persons with disabilities, are more than welcome to experience the programme.

As we look to the future, let us reaffirm our commitment to strengthening this bridge and promote this inclusivity.

By investing in the capacity building and mobility of our youth and academics, we are investing in the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers of our society.

Invitation to further collaboration with the Ministry

I am delighted to strengthen my collaboration with Honourable Dr. Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, the Minister of Education. In fact, I had the pleasure to collaborate with him last year during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the Open University.

His commitment to advancing education aligns seamlessly with the values of the Erasmus Programme which Europe proudly finance and support.  

Honourable, Minister Sukon, I warmly invite you to continue working closely with the European Union to expand Erasmus’ reach and impact in Mauritius. Together, we can make this invaluable programme even more accessible to our students and educators.

CONCLUSION

To those who have participated in Erasmus, you are the programme’s greatest ambassadors. Your stories inspire others to embark on their own journeys of discovery. To those considering it, I encourage you to take the leap.

Believe me, the experience will not only shape your career but also your outlook on life.

I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Education and the Erasmus National Focal Point for this laudable initiative of organising today’s event.

Let us continue to promote, support and celebrate initiatives like Erasmus that unite us in our shared pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and progress.

Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Thank you for your attention.