The Erasmus programme, that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has not ended and is not about to end. Until 19 October students enrolled in the University of Pisa are invited to present their applications for the numerous places still available in prestigious universities of almost all the 33 countries that participate in Erasmus for the second semester of the 2012-2013 academic year. "Erasmus provides a unique opportunity to acquire professional, academic and linguistic competences as well as for personal growth", declares Professor Ann Katherine Isaacs, Erasmus Staff Ambassador 2012 for Italy, who has a very positive view of the future of the programme: "Erasmus is not in danger, in fact right now it is poised to get bigger and better".
During the past week several media have published or transmitted alarming news items about the supposed end of the Erasmus programme, or at the very least confronted present and future Erasmus students with the frightening perspective that the mobility grants normally given along with Erasmus 'places' are at risk because there are no funds to pay for them. "In reality, the question before the European Parliament - which will vote on 6 November - regards the relevant increase in the total amount of funding requested by the European Commission for a new, bigger Erasmus programme", Isaacs explains. "The new programme is to be called 'Erasmus for All' and it is designed to expand the range of the existing programme -- now limited to higher education -- in order to include all the study and training mobility supported financially by the European Commission, in every part of the world, from school age to the 'Third Age'".
Janusz Lewandoski, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, announced yesterday that on 23 October he will present a draft for change to the community budget to avoid any risks. It is considered certain that the Council will approve the change. "The vote of the European Parliament on 6 November will tell us how much Erasmus will grow and expand its range of action in the coming years", adds Professor Isaacs. "In the meantime our students can apply for the places still available for second semester with full confidence".
The University of Pisa still has numerous places available not only for mobility for academic study, but also for Erasmus Placement, which allow students to carry out a work-training period, learning on the job, in the other European countries. Students can apply for placements (from 3 to 6 months) using opportunities already defined by bilateral agreements with the University, or else they can themselves contact enterprises, museums, associations, research centres or other organisations in the eligible countries to set up their personal programme. Students enrolled in any of the degree programmes (first, second and third cycle) or special professionalising programmes ("master's" or medical specialisation programmes for example) offered by the University of Pisa can participate in either the Erasmus study or the Erasmus Placement mobility.
Read the 2012-2013 call.