The AETS-led “Public Diplomacy in India” project is currently being spearheaded by our subsidiary in New Delhi. In the scope of this project, AETS was involved in a conference entitled “EU-India Partnership for Cultural Heritage Conservation” which took place in New Delhi, India on the 4th and 5thof December 2018. More specifically, AETS, as project implementer, was responsible for organising a session related to EU-financed mobility schemes for students and researchers, which was attended by approximately 80 participants, mainly students, researchers and faculty members interested in studying and undertaking research in Europe.
AETS’ key expert, as the chairperson of the session, spoke about the experience of studying in Europe, and particularly about how the European market is creating more possibilities for Indian students and why students from India should take advantage of the opportunity to study in Europe. Our project invited 3 key speakers, namely: Dr. Vidya Vencatesan, Director, Centre for European Studies, University of Mumbai; Prof. Vijay. S Khare Director, International Centre, Savitribhai Phule Pune University, Pune; and Dr Samrat S Kumar, Country Representative, EURAXESS and Erasmus alumni.
Dr. Vidya Vencatesan, presented the Master in European Literacy Studies (CLE Master) programme, which focuses on cultural heritage and high-level linguistic education. Dr. Samrat S Kumar spoke of the funding and scholarship opportunities available under the European programme Horizon 2020, as well as the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – a series of grants created by the European Commission to support research in the European Research Area (ERA). In addition to the above programme, Dr. Samrat S Kumar further explained EURAXESS, a pan-European initiative which delivers information and support services to professional researchers and invited the participants to join the initiative. Finally, Prof. Vijay. S Khare focused on the Erasmus+ programme on cultural heritage for which the Savitribhai Phule Pune University – a university in Pune, Western India – is a partner. Additional information in relation to the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) Programme relevant to Cultural Heritage was also shared.
The project had also invited an Erasmus alumnus, Elsa Matthews, to share her experience as an alumnus of the Erasmus Mundus programme, having pursued a Master Degree in Cultural Studies from Denmark.
The event ran smoothly and provided the participants with an informative and refreshing insight into the available opportunities and benefits of studying in Europe.