Fostering Global Connections: EMA’s attends EM-ACT 2nd Annual Meeting

The 2nd Erasmus Mundus Association for Consortia CooperaTion (EM-ACT) Annual Meeting was held on 10 January 2025 at the Università degli Studi Roma Tre in Rome, Italy bringing together key stakeholders in the Erasmus Mundus programme. Representing the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA), Nikshan Paudel, Director of the Students and Alumni Relations Unit, delivered a presentation highlighting EMA’s mission, vision, and global collaborations. The event featured discussions on academic innovation, including the role of generative AI, and reinforced a shared commitment to intercultural exchange and academic excellence.

The 2nd EM-ACT Annual Meeting served as a platform for Erasmus Mundus stakeholders to discuss the future of global higher education. The event attracted representatives from Erasmus Mundus consortia, educational institutions, and the wider community, all united in their commitment to advancing the Erasmus Mundus programme. Mr Paudel delivered a presentation outlining EMA’s contributions to the Erasmus Mundus programme. The presentation centred on EMA’s four core pillars: spreading awareness, supporting members, fostering community building, and driving global impact. These pillars were highlighted as the cornerstone of EMA’s volunteer-led efforts to empower students and alumni while promoting the programme’s global excellence.

Nikshan Paudel delivers a speech on EMA’s mission and initiatives at the EM-ACT Annual Meeting in Rome

Mr Paudel also shared insights into EMA’s expanding collaborations, including partnerships with 13 Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) programmes and the significant contributions of 128 Programme Representatives (PRs). These initiatives were examples of EMA’s dedication to fostering global connections and creating impactful opportunities for its diverse community.

The meeting’s agenda featured engaging sessions and panels that explored critical topics such as managing application and selection processes, joint degree frameworks, and the challenges of building global academic partnerships. Among the highlights was the AI Roundtable, which delved into the role of generative AI in academia. Real-world examples of AI applications in historical and archaeological research were presented, demonstrating how technology enhances academic disciplines and expands traditional research's scope.

Speakers and attendees at the EM-ACT Annual Meeting, fostering global collaboration.

Set in the culturally rich and historic city of Rome, the event offered an inspiring environment for discussions about the interconnected nature of global education. The setting underscored the importance of international collaboration in the Erasmus Mundus programme, and the presence of programme coordinators, consortia members, and educational leaders fostered valuable exchanges of ideas and fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead. The meeting reinforced EMA’s unwavering commitment to empowering students and alumni, fostering international partnerships, and championing the values of academic excellence, intercultural exchange, and global impact. It underscored the critical role of collaboration in ensuring the long-term success of the Erasmus Mundus programme and highlighted EMA’s contributions to creating a more inclusive and equitable academic landscape.

Looking forward, EMA’s collaboration with EM-ACT and other stakeholders will remain central to its vision. Through its efforts, EMA will continue to drive innovation, build meaningful partnerships, and empower future generations of researchers and leaders within the Erasmus Mundus community.

By Nikshan Paudel

EMA Director of the Student and Alumni Relations (S&A)