A record 114 Pakistani students, with a majority (66) being women, have been awarded Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for 2025, marking the fourth year in a row that Pakistan has topped the list of recipients. This accomplishment allows these scholars to pursue postgraduate studies at leading European universities.
A pre-departure event, hosted by the European Union Delegation to Pakistan and the French Embassy, celebrated the scholars” success. The gathering brought together awardees, alumni, officials, and educational partners to acknowledge the program”s expanding impact in Pakistan.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has been instrumental in supporting the Erasmus+ Programme since its inception in the nation in 2014, with formal backing beginning in 2016. Through collaborations, outreach, and assistance, HEC has championed Erasmus+ as a premier initiative for international educational exchange. HEC has worked closely with the EU Delegation, universities, and alumni to boost engagement and strengthen Pakistan”s academic standing globally.
HEC promotes various Erasmus+ initiatives through informative meetings for Pakistani universities and their staff, including deans, department heads, international offices, registrars, students, and related groups. These meetings encompass Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM), scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM), International Credit Mobility (ICM), Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), and Jean Monnet (JM) activities.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Riina Kionka, reaffirmed the EU”s dedication to youth development, educational partnerships, and Erasmus+ as a link between Europe and Pakistan. She recounted the program”s progression from a European focus to a global reach, expressing pleasure at Pakistan”s continued success in securing the highest scholarship numbers. She lauded alumni for mentoring new scholars, highlighting this as a commendable display of unity.
Dr. Kionka emphasized Erasmus+ as a platform for cultural exchange and learning, providing a legitimate avenue for Pakistani students to study abroad. She urged scholars to seize every learning chance, stressing mutual respect and common principles. She also thanked institutional collaborators, particularly HEC and the host EU nations.
French Ambassador, Mr. Nicolas Galey, echoed France”s commitment to academic excellence and intercultural dialogue. He highlighted France”s appeal as a study destination for Pakistani individuals and hoped the program”s prosperity would encourage Pakistani institutions to join the Erasmus Mundus consortium. He viewed this achievement as a catalyst for further institutional partnerships.
Ambassador Galey praised the students” achievements and encouraged them to embrace the academic and cultural richness of Europe. He advised them to utilize their scholarships to benefit Pakistan and remain receptive to new experiences.
Pakistan”s involvement in Erasmus+ has expanded considerably. Over 2,500 Pakistani pupils have received Erasmus+ scholarships, with over 200 selected annually in recent times. In 2024, a then-record 189 Pakistani pupils earned Erasmus Mundus scholarships. The event concluded with alumni sharing experiences and a networking session, offering guidance and fostering a sense of community among current and former Erasmus+ scholars.