On 9 December, the Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research in Brussels (CZELO) organized a landmark conference in Prague to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Erasmus Mundus. The event highlighted the programme’s transformative impact on individuals, higher education institutions, and the European education system as a whole. Among the distinguished speakers was Gabriella Mikiewicz, an EMMIR alumna from Edition 7 (2017–2019), who shared her experiences and insights during the event’s opening panel discussion.
The Prague conference brought together representatives from Czech universities, state administrations, and alumni to discuss the achievements of Erasmus Mundus and its future challenges. With 10 Czech universities participating in Erasmus Mundus, the programme has had a significant influence on the Czech higher education system. As Michal Uhl, Director of the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research (DZS), emphasized in his opening speech, Erasmus Mundus is not just an academic programme but a driver of strategic modernization in Europe.
Gabriella Mikiewicz, now a communications consultant working with migration issues, joined fellow alumni Veronika Jarošová (TEMA+ graduate) and Aditya Khurana (IMSISS alumnus) for the first panel discussion of the conference. Moderated by Jakub Tesař from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the panel delved into the personal and professional impact of Erasmus Mundus.
"Thanks to Erasmus Mundus, I have gained a deep knowledge of such a complex issue, which gives me a competitive advantage. I have also gained valuable contacts all over the world. Without Erasmus Mundus, my life would not have been what it is now."
Reflecting on her time in the EMMIR programme, Gabriella highlighted the profound influence of the interdisciplinary and intercultural education she received: "Thanks to Erasmus Mundus, I have gained a deep knowledge of such a complex issue, which gives me a competitive advantage. I have also gained valuable contacts all over the world. Without Erasmus Mundus, my life would not have been what it is now."
She and the other panelists spoke about the global network she developed during her studies and how the programme’s focus on migration studies prepared her for her career. Gabriella’s perspective underscored the programme’s ability to empower students to tackle pressing global challenges while building lifelong connections.
A vision for the future
The conference not only celebrated the achievements of Erasmus Mundus but also looked ahead to its potential to further enhance international cooperation in education. Discussions touched on the challenges of aligning European education systems, the importance of fostering inclusivity, and the evolving needs of students and institutions in a rapidly changing world.
As an Erasmus Mundus master’s programme, EMMIR continues to produce graduates who excel in their fields and contribute to addressing global migration challenges.
Read more about the event on Czech National Agency for International Education and Research's website here.
For more on the Erasmus Mundus programme and the opportunities it offers, visit the official Erasmus+ website.
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