Brussels, 17/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 February, the European Commission launched the new phase of Erasmus Mundus, the European co-operation and mobility programme which supports academic excellence and the attractiveness of European higher education worldwide and fosters cooperation with third countries. The programme has a significantly increased budget and a wider scope. “The new, second phase of Erasmus Mundus … will, in the fullness of time, become the reference programme for promoting European higher education around the globe. I am particularly pleased that the European Parliament and the Council allocated such a significant increase in the funding for Erasmus Mundus,” said European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Ján Figel'. European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner emphasised the importance of this programme in building a more united world. “With this programme, the EU promotes knowledge transfer and multiculturalism in action, key factors of progress and development for all. Thus we are adding a crucial component in our external cooperation programmes, going beyond support for government reform programmes by strengthening people-to-people contacts in this very particular area. These contacts might be useful in the future given our globalised world,” she said.
Over the 2009-2013 period, the European Union will increase its support to the most highly-talented students and lecturers from countries outside the EU with grants to take part in joint programmes in Europe. It will also extend the scope of the programme to the doctoral level and give more financial support to European students. The expected budget for Erasmus Mundus will be an indicative amount of €950 million for the period 2009-2013, a significant increase in the total allocation of €230 million for partnerships under Erasmus Mundus and the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows during the period 2004-2008. Thanks to these exchanges and through cooperation with non EU partner countries the programme also made a significant contribution to the enhancement of intercultural dialogue and to the sustainable development of higher education in third countries. The former “Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows” will be fully integrated into the new programme, which will continue to support partnerships between EU and non-EU higher education institutions as a basis for mobility among students and academics. (I.L./transl.rt)