The conference is a valuable tool in preparing students for the rigours of academic life in a foreign European country as well allowing students to network with one another.
Erasmus Mundus is a strategic scholarship programme which partners South African and European universities and has already seen €28 million spent on scholarships in the past four years.
CPUT has been aligned with the programme since its inception and is the fourth university from the Western Cape Province to host the conference- previous ones having been hosted at UWC, UCT and Stellenbosch University.
The conference was a two day affair that attracted recipients from across the country as well as representatives from interested organisations like embassies.
Speakers like Roeland Van Der Geer who heads the European Union delegation in SA emphasised the importance of Erasmus Mundus in the greater partnership between the EU and SA.
“You are part of a much wider relationship with South Africa which includes trade, employment creation and strengthening government capacity,” he says.
CPUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Dr Chris Nhlapo encouraged all delegates to seize the amazing opportunity afforded to them.
“This is an opportunity to become an acknowledged researcher and interact with higher education on an international level. Grab this opportunity with both hands,” he told the group.
