Enhancing Global Collaboration: UPSI Erasmus+ Info Session

Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan

TANJUNG MALIM, Feb 28 – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, the Erasmus+ National Focal Point (ENFP) for Malaysia and Director of UTM International, was invited by the International Mobility Centre, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), as a distinguished speaker for the Erasmus+ Info Session. The session was conducted with the aim of enhancing the UPSI committee’s understanding and awareness of Erasmus+ opportunities.

The session began with a welcoming speech by the Director of the International Mobility Centre (IMC), UPSI, Prof. Dr. Ramlee Ismail who expressed his enthusiasm for enhancing the university’s involvement in the Erasmus+ Programme and encouraged the participants to explore the opportunities available.

The highlight of the seminar was the sharing session by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, where he provided valuable insights into the Erasmus+ Programme and his role as the ENFP, supporting universities in actively participating in Erasmus+ initiatives. He also shared comprehensive information on various components of the programme, including Mobility of Higher Education Students & Staff, Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM), Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM), Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), and Jean Monnet, giving participants a clear understanding of the opportunities available. Dr. Ariffin explained in detail the opportunities available for third countries not associated with the programme, including the scholarship amounts and application steps. He also shared essential tips for writing a strong CBHE proposal, highlighting initiatives such as the Global Gateway. These tips are crucial for applicants, as following them can significantly improve their chances of achieving higher scores in the proposal evaluation process.

The seminar successfully reinforced the importance of international collaboration in higher education. With Erasmus+ opening doors for mobility, research, and capacity building, Malaysian institutions now have greater opportunities to expand their global footprint. The ENFP Malaysia remains committed to helping universities maximise these opportunities and further strengthen Malaysia’s presence in the international academic arena. The sharing session by Dr. Ariffin received positive feedback from participants, with several academicians reaching out via email to express their interest in applying for the EMJM and CBHE programmes. This encouraging response reflects the session’s impact in raising awareness and increasing the enthusiasm of local universities to explore and engage further with Erasmus+ key actions.