The Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina held a successful networking event on August 28th, bringing together Bosnian students and alumni from around the globe. The event aimed to promote connections among Bosnian-Herzegovinian Erasmus Mundus students and alumni, providing a platform for them to share their experiences and insights, and discuss EMA Bosnia and Herzegovina's ongoing and future objectives.
The event commenced with introductions from the Bosnian Country Representatives (CRs), Adaleta Omerbasic and Ajla Vrebo, along with Erasmus Mundus students and alumni in attendance. This introduction session set a warm, collegial tone for the meeting, allowing participants to get to know each other and share their initial experiences with the Erasmus Mundus programme.
Following the introductions, Ajla Vrebo provided updates on the recent activities of EMA Bosnia and Herzegovina (EMA BiH). She discussed the creation of informational materials designed to assist new Erasmus Mundus students, highlighting the success of the webinars organised by EMA BiH in April. These webinars aimed to provide essential information and guidance to new students and were well-received by participants. Ajla also emphasised the importance of the EMA BiH Survey, which serves as a tool to gather feedback and facilitate networking among Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) students and alumni.
Adaleta Omerbasic then took the floor to share her experience from a recent meeting with the National Erasmus Office (NEO) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a strong supporter of the EMA BiH's initiatives. She also discussed her engagement with the European Union Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and recapped her participation in EMA's 18th General Assembly held in Istanbul in May 2024, where she was honoured with a Presidential Excellence Award. Furthermore, Adaleta provided an update on the ongoing work of EMA BiH, particularly the preparation of a comprehensive handbook for new students. This handbook will cover the application process, how to effectively use the EACEA catalogue and much more.
Both Adaleta and Ajla openly shared the challenges they have faced in their roles within EMA and called for suggestions, ideas, and support from the participants. They discussed plans, including organising a pre-departure event for newly selected Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders from Bosnia and Herzegovina. This event aims to connect these new students with current students and alumni, promoting a sense of community and shared experience. The CRs also sought insights on how to further develop and expand the EMA BiH network.
Adaleta continued by highlighting the vast opportunities available within EMA and encouraging members to volunteer. She shared her personal experiences working on the Erasmus Mundus publication celebrating 20 years of the programme and her involvement in various EMA units, which have enabled her to acquire valuable skills. She emphasised the importance of helping others and highlighted the diverse activities that members are engaged in within EMA. In a bid to further strengthen the community, Adaleta invited all participants to join a social media campaign where EMA BiH members will share their Erasmus Mundus experiences. This initiative aims to showcase the diverse opportunities offered by Erasmus Mundus programmes and inspire others.
The meeting also featured Samir Beharic, the current president of EMA's sister network, OCEANS. He provided valuable insights about EMA, OCEANS, and other sister networks, further enriching the discussion with his extensive experience.
Although the meeting had a modest turnout, it was deemed a success by those who attended. EMA Bosnia and Herzegovina is optimistic about increasing participation in future events and looks forward to building a stronger, more connected community of Erasmus Mundus students and alumni.
EMA Bosnia and Herzegovina invites all current and former Erasmus Mundus students to join their efforts and stay connected through various initiatives and events, as they continue to create a vibrant, supportive network.
You can email them at bih@em-a.eu and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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