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25th anniversary of the Erasmus Programme

February 02, 2012

This week the European Commission launched celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Erasmus Programme. EUA would like to take this opportunity to send its congratulations and support for the continuation and the increased funding of Erasmus in future.

European student exchanges and mobility in higher education, in particular through the Erasmus Programme, have been one of the major EU successes of the last 20 years. Without the development of Erasmus there would almost certainly have been no Bologna Process or many of the major higher education reforms across Europe that have followed.

Millions of students have benefitted from the advantages that Erasmus exchanges have provided in terms of their overall learning experience and preparation for the workplace. EUA believes that investment in higher education mobility (not only for students but also for staff), exchanges and collaboration brings long-term benefit not only to individuals but to European societies and economies, and enhances cohesion and mutual understanding. It also benefits the sectors in which higher education graduates will ultimately be employed.

Therefore, looking to the future of Erasmus, EUA welcomes the proposal of the European Commission to increase funding for its next long-term programme for education and training, (2014-2020) that will be called Erasmus for All (and will include the present Erasmus programme) and its aim to improve mobility.

EUA Secretary General, Lesley Wilson, said: “EUA believes there is still a lot to be done to improve mobility and it will be important for the programme to focus not only on the quantity of mobile students but also to ensure the relevance, quality and recognition of mobility. A recent consultation of EUA’s membership suggests that a more consequent implementation of the existing Bologna tools (ECTS credits, detailing learning outcomes, including Diploma Supplements, etc.) is critical in this regard.”

Furthermore, there are a number of issues which EUA has raised and that will require attention in the future to improve and increase mobility; in particular, improving participation of students from European countries with lower income levels; and improving the transferability of national grants and loan schemes in the EU. These are issues that are also currently being addressed through the Bologna Follow Up Group – in which EUA participates – in preparation for the next Bologna Ministerial Meeting in April.”

To find out more about the Commission’s celebration of Erasmus, click here.