UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) officially inaugurated Indonesia’s first European Union (EU) Centre on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The inauguration included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, SE, MT, Ak, and the EU Ambassador to Indonesia, HE Denis Chaibi. On the same day, the EU Centre hosted a seminar to discuss research and scholarship opportunities for the academic community.
The seminar took place at Ternate Hall in the ASEEC Tower on UNAIR’s Dharmawangsa-B campus. Speakers included Dr. KRMH Tatas Brotosudarmo and Amalia Nurul Muthmainnah, both of whom are alumni who previously received scholarships for research and study in Europe.
Greater research opportunities
Since 2021, the EU has allocated more than €95 billion to research and innovation programs, providing substantial opportunities for Indonesian students at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Available programs include the Annual Research Conference (ARC) and the renowned Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
Dr. Brotosudarmo emphasized the comprehensive training provided by the MSCA program. ” Pursuing a doctoral degree under this program doesn’t just prepare you to become an academic or researcher; it equips you holistically. Participants gain problem-solving skills applicable to industry settings as well.”
One of the program’s key advantages is its emphasis on high mobility, allowing students to conduct research at multiple universities and even directly within industries. Additionally, students gain a rich multicultural experience as the program includes participants from various countries involved in Horizon Europe.
Scholarship opportunities
Beyond research, the EU also offers numerous study programs with scholarships at European universities. One such program is Erasmus+. “Erasmus+ serves as the umbrella program for EU initiatives targeting youth, encompassing education, training, youth, and sports,” explained Muthmainnah, the second speaker.
The Erasmus+ scholarship comes with several unique benefits. For instance, students pursuing a master’s degree through this program are given the opportunity to study at two universities in two different countries. This is made possible through a consortium-based scheme, enabling awardees to select multiple universities across member states within the consortium where they are registered.
Author: Afifah Alfina
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
