Peru Celebrated EMA Days 2024 with a Multitudinous Webinar on Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
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On October 19, 2024, the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association's (EMA) community in Peru celebrated a remarkable milestone with the EMA Days 2024 webinar 'Shining Together: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Opportunities for Peruvians', organized by EMA Country Representatives for Peru. This event was a resounding success, attracting an impressive 1,032 registrants and around 500 active participants! The enthusiastic turnout highlights the immense interest and support for the Erasmus Mundus programme, showcasing the community's vibrant engagement and commitment to educational excellence. This event provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with students and alumni, share experiences, and explore the exciting options offered by the Erasmus Mundus programme.
An Inspiring Gathering
The webinar thrived in a dynamic atmosphere, featuring presentations from various speakers. It was led by EMA Country Representatives for Peru, Erika Delgado Rubio and Ana Cecilia Sotelo Aguilar, both Erasmus Mundus alumni. Distinguished guests, Margaret Alexandra Coaquira Velásquez and Alejandro Gamero Salas, current Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders, shared their inspiring experiences.
Raquel Galeano, EMA's Talent Management Unit Director, opened the session with warm welcome remarks to all attendees, setting an enthusiastic tone for the event. She highlighted how gatherings like this contribute significantly to EMA's mission of promoting education and professional development. ¡Thank you, Raquel! Your leadership and commitment inspire us all!
Never stop dreaming; never stop trying because that's what life is about. - Margaret Alexandra Coaquira Velásquez
Margaret Alexandra Coaquira Velásquez is an Engineer Economist from the National University of Altiplano in Puno, Peru, and a scholarship recipient of the Maria Reiche program for 2021-2022, sponsored by the National Council of Science, Technology and Technological Innovation (CONCYTEC), which included a research internship in France. Margaret stated that since her undergraduate studies, she wanted to pursue a master's degree abroad. When she secured a research internship in France in 2022, her network expanded and motivated her to apply for the Erasmus Mundus programme, as it aligned with her academic goals. She is currently studying in Lille as a scholarship recipient of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Economics of Globalisation and European Integration (EGEI) for 2024-2026, which spans three European countries: France, Belgium, and Estonia. She concluded her presentation with a powerful quote: ‘Never stop dreaming; never stop trying because that's what life is about.’
Alejandro Gamero Salas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, an LL.M. in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola University Chicago, and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property from Ankara University, all obtained through fully-funded scholarships. He is also an award-winning patent inventor in Peru and abroad. He mentioned that after taking a course at White Design in Chicago, he dreamed of studying abroad. After completing several courses in Europe, he applied for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, which led him to the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree LL.M. in Artificial Intelligence and Data Regulation (EMILDAI). He is now in his second year in León, Spain. Last year, he studied in Dublin, Ireland, where he had an extraordinary experience. “Ireland is an epic country that features prominently in many important literary narratives; some of the greatest writers in the English language hail from there.” Next semester, he will be in Pisa, Italy. He anticipates it will be a magnificent experience and expresses excitement. He concluded with an impactful statement: ‘Living in a global world means we are not isolated: everything is possible. You simply have to pursue your dreams; no one will do it for you.’
Living in a global world means we are not isolated: everything is possible. - Alejandro Gamero Salas
Both stated that their proficiency in English and French was key to winning their applications for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. Alejandro emphasized how these language skills enabled him to access international academic opportunities, while Margaret noted that her command of French was essential during her research internship in France, motivating her to apply for the Erasmus Mundus programme.
The webinar covered relevant topics such as the motivations behind applying for the Erasmus Mundus scholarships, the challenges faced and how these were successfully overcome. Participants explored how they integrated into their new academic lives in this remarkable opportunity to study at top universities in Europe, supported by the European Union. Erika and Ana Cecilia also shared their perspectives as previous Erasmus Mundus students, feeling motivated to share their journeys. The session concluded with numerous questions from hundreds of participants, creating an enriching dialogue for everyone involved and united in the same goal. This webinar was part of the global EMA Days activities, accessible online from all five continents, showcasing the strong sense of community among Erasmus Mundus scholars under this year’s motto: ‘Shining Together.’
EMA Peru extends its heartfelt gratitude to Margaret Alexandra Coaquira Velásquez, Alejandro Gamero Salas, and Raquel Galeano for their invaluable participation in the webinar, as their insights and experiences greatly enriched the discussion and inspired many attendees. We also thank Mr José Luis Arteaga Céspedes, Programme Manager of the European Union Delegation to Peru, and the entire team at the European Union Delegation for their unwavering support, including assistance with promotion which was fundamental for the widespread dissemination of the webinar. The European Union Delegation to Peru plays a crucial role in promoting educational and cultural cooperation between Peru and the European Union, focusing on initiatives such as the Erasmus Plus program. Thank you all for helping make this event a success!
Looking Ahead
The success of EMA Days 2024 has left renewed enthusiasm in the EMA Peru community. We are committed to creating spaces for networking and knowledge exchange under the motto ‘Shining Together’, with plans for future events that strengthen its community.
The recording of the webinar is currently available on our social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and the YouTube channel of the European Union to Peru.
Please follow EMA Peru on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on upcoming activities.
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