Erasmus+ RAMS: Bridging Academia and Global Opportunities

Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan

SINTOK, Aug 20 – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, Eramus+ National Focal Point (ENFP) Malaysia and Director of UTM International was invited to Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) for the Erasmus+ Research, Academic, Mobility Seminar (RAMS). The seminar gathered 88 participants, including representatives from UUM and neighboring universities, to strengthen collaboration between Malaysia institutions and Europe, while showcasing the potential on Erasmus+ funding.

The seminar began with an inspiring address by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar, Director of UUM’s Centre for International Affairs & Cooperation (CIAC), highlighting the importance of international collaboration in academia and Erasmus’s role in shaping future-ready graduates. Eero Oinonen, Political Officer at the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Malaysia, then provided insights into Erasmus+ funding, underscoring its importance in strengthening educational ties between Malaysia and Europe.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan continued with a comprehensive overview of the Erasmus+ program, covering key topics such as Erasmus Mundus, Jean Monnet Action, and Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), offering valuable guidance on enhancing international partnerships and writing successful funding proposals. Prof. Dr. Nordin Yahaya from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) led the next session, focusing on Erasmus Mundus Design Measures and Joint Masters, providing expertise on these key initiatives. Following his session, a Q&A segment encouraged participants to engage with the speakers, deepening their understanding of the program’s intricacies.

After lunch, Prof. Dr. Mohd. Azizuddin Mohd Sani, UUM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), emphasized the university’s commitment to global engagement and the role of Erasmus+ in achieving international academic goals. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan returned for a session on Tips for Crafting Successful CBHE Proposals, equipping attendees with essential skills in grant writing and project management.

A key highlight of the seminar was the forum titled ‘From Dreams to Grants: Erasmus+ Success Stories’, expertly moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar. Esteemed speakers share their experiences with successful CBHE projects, including representatives from UUM – Prof. Dr. Huda Hj. Ibrahim with the Sustainable Development Goals in Journalism Reporting (SDGsJR), Prof. Dr. Mazni Omar with the Geomatics for Disaster Risk Reduction (GeoDRR), and Prof. Dr. Nor Aziah Abd Manaf with the Malaysian Sustainable University Campus Network (MYSUN). Additionally, Prof. Dr. Nordin Yahya from UTM shared about the Accelerating Digital Transformation for Higher Education Institutions in Southeast Asia (DX.sea).

The seminar concluded with Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norliza Katuk from UUM, who shared insights on International Credit Mobility (ICM) applications, guiding attendees through the process of navigating Erasmus+ funding mechanisms.

The Erasmus+ RAMS seminar successfully facilitated international collaboration, academic mobility, and capacity-building initiatives, with participants gaining valuable knowledge and practical tools to pursue Erasmus+ opportunities. The enthusiastic response and positive feedback reflect the growing potential of Erasmus+ to drive academic innovation and strengthen cross-border partnerships between Malaysia and Europe.