ERASMUS MUNDUS DAY: A Celebration of Filipino Scholars in Europe

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1 ERASMUS MUNDUS DAY: A Celebration of Filipino Scholars in Europe Erasmus Mundus Association-Philippines (EMA Philippines) in partnership with SPARK Philippines and J. Amado Araneta Foundation organized an Erasmus Mundus Day at De La Salle University Manila on 25 th October The Association aimed at promoting scholarship opportunities among Filipino students, teachers and academic staff in Europe particularly the European Commission s education, skills training and sports programme, Erasmus+. Erasmus Mundus Alumni with participants in the forum. In Europe, Filipino scholars are consistently among the top 5% across disciplines and consortia. In Erasmus Mundus alone, EU Delegation Ambassador Guy Ledoux even mentioned in last year s predeparture orientation that Filipinos have been undoubtedly some of the best students in the world who often graduate with distinction and/or best thesis. Attended by almost a hundred people including 13 alumni, the event highlighted the need to rebrand the Philippines as a country that is also capable and has been producing the best minds aside from producing quality care services to the world. We would like to offer a paradigm shift from Servants of Globalization to Scholars of Globalization.

2 Coupled by a short programme, the celebration included the promotion of diversity of fields that alumni come from and the languages that they speak. Below is the summary of the programme: Invocation in French: Ms. Claire Tablante, Licence 3 Sciences du Langage, University of Nice Erasmus Mundus to Erasmus +: A Brief Introduction: Ms. Kate Alyzon Ramil, MA in Women s and Gender Studies (GEMMA), University of Hull and Universidad de Granada Choosing the Right Course: Mr. Marcial Batiancila, International Master in Digital Library Learning, Oslo University College, Tallin University and University of Parma Winning an Application: Battle of the Brands: Dr. Genevieve David, European Master of Public Health, University of Sheffield, Ecole des Haues Etudes en Sante Publique and Jagellonian University Living in Europe, Re-integration and Giving Back: Ms. Jenny Lind Elmaco, MA in Global Studies, University of Leipzig and University of Vienna. Master of Ceremony: Mr. Hans Kevin Madanguit, International Management and Affairs, University of Nice Pertinent questions were asked by eager prospective students: Q: Do you have to be an honor student to get into the Erasmus programme? A: No. Good grades are a plus but it is your motivation letter and potential as leader and contributor in your chosen field that has more weight. Interestingly enough, Filipino Erasmus scholarship recipients become outstanding students in Europe. Q: Are you allowed to work part-time? A: An adequate amount of stipend is given for scholars to not worry about expenses. However, depending on the country, students may be allowed to work for a particular number of hours or during summer vacation. Q: Are you required to come back after you have finished your studies? A: No. If a company, an institution or organization in Europe or other countries hires you, you are welcome to take that opportunity. Unless, of course, your visa has expired and you are still waiting for sponsorship from a company. Q: What s the best thing about studying in Europe? A: You will never be the same again. Aside from travel, cultural competencies, it is more likely that you find the love of your life there. Q: What are your expectations from fellow scholars? A: To be the outstanding scholars that they can be and to strengthen their ties to our country by giving back in the best way that they can. The event ended with a simple networking lunch were alumni were approached by prospective students to personally asked more questions about application, living in Europe and coming back to the country. Other alumni who attended the event were: Audrey Anday, MA in Digital Library Learning, Oslo University College, Tallin University and Universita degli di Parma Dan Daryll Arboleda, Licence 1 Espagnol, University of Nice Ava Geraldine Cudilla, Master in Antropologia: Cultura, Migracion y Salud, Universidad de Murcia Christine Jane Dela Cruz, Administración y Gestión de Empresa, Universidad de Oviedo Ruth Pascual, Lingue e Letterature Straniere, Universitat degli Studi di Genova Royce Randall, MA in Education, Universidad de Granada and Akershus University College

3 Mari-An Santos, MA in Advertising and Brand, Universitatea Lucian Blaga din Sibiu EMA Philippines hopes to partner with more agencies, companies, institutions and organizations to make scholarships and scholars as popular and celebrated like singing and celebrities. After all, our National Hero Jose Rizal is our very own and first ever celebrity. For more information of what we do, visit our FB page: or send us Kate Alyzon Ramil MA Women s and Gender Studies (GEMMA) Country Representative Erasmus Mundus Association Assistant Professor Literature Department De La Salle University

4 PHOTOS

5 (L-R: Alumnae Ms. Kate Alyzon Ramil, Country Representative; and Dr. Genevieve David)

6 (Participants listening to Ms. Jenny Lind Elmaco, Erasmus Mundus alumna and Executive Director of SPARK Philippines. )