KUCHING, Dec 19 – UNIMAS Global hosted a productive Erasmus+ Info Session at Dewan Mutiara, DeTAR Putra, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), featuring Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, Director of UTM International and Erasmus+ National Focal Point (ENFP) Malaysia, as the distinguished speaker. The event drew an impressive attendance of 83 participants, including students and staff eager to explore the potential of international collaborations. This session served as a platform to introduce and promote the Erasmus+ program, which provides Malaysian higher education institutions with opportunities to establish meaningful partnerships with European countries.

The session began with an opening remark by Professor Dr. Fitri Suraya Mohamad Hapni Joblie, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International), who expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunities available to UNIMAS through the Erasmus+ Program. She encouraged staff to view the session as a stepping stone to engage in mobility programs and expanding their international exposure. Following this, Eero Oinonen, Political Officer at the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Malaysia delivered his speech.

The event continued with an engaging talk by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, ENFP Malaysia who shared his expertise on the Erasmus+ program. He emphasized the ENFP’s role in providing support and guidance to ensure participants successfully plan and navigate their Erasmus+ journey. He also stressed on the importance of networking to establish partnerships with EU countries. Additionally, he provided an overview of the opportunities available to Malaysia as a third country not associated with the program including Mobility for Higher Education Staff and Students, Erasmus Mundus and Jean Monnet Actions. He concluded his presentation by sharing the crucial tips for crafting a strong capacity building in Higher Education (CBHE) proposal, offering valuable insights to the audiences.

In conclusion, the Erasmus+ Info Session at UNIMAS demonstrated the growing interest among Malaysian higher education institutions in exploring international collaborations through the Erasmus+ program. As the Erasmus+ National Focal Point, there is a commitment to supporting institutions and individuals in navigating the program and maximizing its benefits. The knowledge shared during this session is expected to inspire participants to take proactive steps toward building global partnerships, enhancing academic mobility, and contributing to the internationalization of Malaysia’s higher education landscape.

Prepared by,
Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan
Nur Masitoh Islamiah Mustaffa Kamal