Bridging Malaysia to Global Education: UPM Erasmus+ Info Session

Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan

SERDANG, Jan 16 – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, the Erasmus+ National Focal Point (ENFP) for Malaysia and Director of UTM International, was invited as a distinguished speaker for the Erasmus+ Info Session titled “Navigating the Erasmus+ Program: Insights into International Mobility and Capacity Building.” Hosted by the Putra International Centre (i-PUTRA) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the session aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the Erasmus+ program, focusing on opportunities in international mobility and capacity building. The session began with a warm welcome from the Associate Director of i-PUTRA, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah emphasized the significance of international academic collaboration in strengthening Malaysia’s global presence in education. This was followed by an insightful talk from Eero Oinonen, Political Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, who shared valuable perspectives on Erasmus+ funding and its role in fostering stronger educational ties between Malaysia and Europe.

DSC — Figure 1: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah

The highlight of the event was a session led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin, who captivated the audience with his extensive knowledge and practical advice on navigating the Erasmus+ program. Dr. Ariffin illuminated the 2025 updates and provided actionable tips for crafting compelling project proposals. He emphasized the importance of integrating Global Gateway elements to maximize proposal success and secure funding. His presentation offered participants a clear and strategic approach to leveraging Erasmus+ opportunities for international collaboration and academic excellence. The session concluded with an insightful sharing by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fairuz Izzuddin Romli, Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, who provided valuable tips on grant management, including strategies for efficient resource allocation and maximizing research impact. The event successfully achieved its goal of equipping attendees with up-to-date information and practical knowledge about the Erasmus+ program. Participants left inspired and empowered to explore the wide array of opportunities available. Ultimately, this session not only increased awareness of Erasmus+, but also reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to fostering meaningful global partnerships in higher education.