The Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) has signed on to a 2-year strategic collaboration with ASEF. This is a commitment to further advance an already established collaboration between the two organisations which began in 2018.
The cooperation is based on the mutual interest of both parties, which is to serve the students and the youth in Asia and in Europe in terms of gaining access to quality education, employment, and participating in exchanges and student mobility opportunities.
During an interview with EMA President Ms Katharina F HEIL, she explained that EMA was convinced that the collaboration with ASEF has grown stronger in the previous years, and that it “will continue to be more meaningful and impactful.”
ASEF’s Director of the Education Department, Ms Leonie NAGARAJAN explained that working with EMA and their leadership will certainly build synergies between both organisations. EMA members regularly join ASEF projects – either as participants or resource persons – and the engagement of global students and young professionals brings strong impetus to ASEF’s work in the field of education.
Currently, one of the main flagship projects that the two organisations are working on is the 8th ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC8). ARC8 is the only bi-regional multi-stakeholder dialogue platform for university and student leaders, policy makers and ministers to discuss higher education issues and shape the education landscape in Asia and Europe. Ms Marcela CHAVEZ OCAMPO, Director of Outreach and Capacity Building at EMA, represents the organisation in the Expert Group focused on inclusive teaching and learning in a digital world. Marcela brings the EMA voice and her expertise to the discussion, significantly contributing to a broad platform and engaging national, regional, and global leaders in higher education.
ASEF found an ally in EMA, and both are now organising a hackathon in the framework of the upcoming 23rd ASEF Summer University, an experiential learning journey and “Interdisciplinary Innovathon” for Asian and European students and young professionals to discuss the development of sustainable and liveable ASEM cities, with particular focus on Governance, Infrastructure & Technology, and Human Development. The open call will come later this year, subscribe to the youth mailing list to receive the latest updates.
With an optimistic outlook, Katharina was asked: If we were to create a time capsule to be opened at the official end of this MoU, in 2022, what message would you put in it?
“Cheers on establishing a meaningful partnership, surviving zoom glitches across time zones, contributing towards the SDGs, with focus on inclusive and diverse Higher Education, and further empowering the Asia – Europe cooperation.”
– EMA President Katharina F HEIL