At the event held at Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) within the scope of the “Erasmus+ 35th Anniversary Celebrations”, the Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, and his accompanying delegation met with university students. The event, held at the HKU Congress and Culture Centre and attended by students, academic and administrative staff who have experienced or will experience Erasmus programmes, began with a musical performance. After the university presentation, students who had previously experienced Erasmus programmes shared their achievements and experiences with the participants.
ERASMUS PROGRAMMES ENABLE STUDENTS TO DISCOVER THEMSELVES
Speaking at the opening of the event, at which detailed information was given about the Erasmus projects run by HKU, Rector Prof. Dr. Dereli said: “We are delighted that the Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, has visited our university and taken part in our event within the scope of the 35th anniversary celebrations of the Erasmus Programme. We are living in a period in which the internationalisation of higher education is entering a new phase. In this process, increasing and expanding international mobility and enabling everyone to benefit from it as far as possible is of great importance. Erasmus is undoubtedly one of the most popular programmes. Research shows that Erasmus programmes improve students’ quality of life and career expectations during and after their education abroad. It is very beneficial that the programme encourages innovation and social inclusion in higher education. In addition, both study and traineeship mobility enable students to discover what they want to do after graduation, for a happier career and future. As a university whose students benefit effectively from Erasmus programmes, I thank you for your cooperation and congratulate you on the 35th anniversary of Erasmus” he said.
THE INCLUSIVENESS OF ERASMUS PROGRAMMES IS GROWING
Noting that the inclusiveness of the Erasmus+ programme is increasing, the Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, said in his speech at the event held at the HKU Congress and Culture Centre; “There have been points in the new programme that have become important over time. The programme has always cared about growing in a more inclusive way. It has offered higher education and vocational education students a variety of opportunities in many fields, such as education programmes, traineeship programmes, youth exchange programmes, volunteering programmes and staff exchange. In order to increase the qualitative impact of these activities and to offer equal opportunities, it is extremely important that the new programme tries to reach more people from different age groups and from various social, cultural and economic backgrounds. For this, we are trying to get a little closer to those with limited means”. Reporting that a young Turkish person who had taken part in Erasmus exchange programmes was carrying out relief activities in Ukraine, Ambassador Meyer-Landrut said that this person knew more about digital technology, climate change, clean energy and artificial intelligence, and that young people’s innovative skills and ideas would be needed to overcome tomorrow’s challenges. Pointing out that Erasmus+ programmes are also fun, Meyer-Landrut continued his speech as follows: “Let us talk not only about what you have learned but also about what you enjoyed during the programme, because this is very important. You should be happy to be part of this Erasmus generation. I myself went from Germany to Spain on an exchange programme in 1985. There was no Erasmus at that time. We did not even know that Erasmus would be developed. It was very complicated but it was fun. So I am sure that Erasmus is fun today as well. This is also part of the self-awareness education you learn by taking part in such programmes. So the Erasmus generation is really a good thing; it brings people together. I also hope that you, university students, and students of other universities in Türkiye will benefit from this programme, and that you will introduce and show the world what we can achieve when we work together”.
After the event, Ambassador Meyer-Landrut and his accompanying delegation received information about the Kalyon Garage Prototyping and Entrepreneurship Centre and toured the campus.
