Ayaulym Participates in COY17 in Sharm El Sheikh
Last month, Ayaulym Sarybayeva, a second year EUROSUD student on the Madrid-Marseille track, participated in the 17th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth COY17 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. COY17 is an annual event and was held this year on the sidelines of COP27 from 2-4 November. Thousands of young change-makers from over 140 countries gathered with one main goal; Saving Earth. Ayaulym wrote about her experiences of meeting and working with young people from all over the world to build a better future for everyone below.
I had the honour to represent Kazakhstan at the 17th UN Youth Conference on Climate Change (COY17), held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where young people from all over the world came together with one goal – to make the planet a better place for all of us.
Young changemakers from 140 countries were brought together to exchange ideas and share experiences on how they are working on this issue in their countries and communities with the aim of Saving the Earth on Nov. 2-4.
I am truly grateful for this experience of meeting the most active young people from all over the world, participating in workshops where you see different points of view and learn from their experience. I am more motivated than ever to work to engage young people in climate change and raise awareness in my region, and build a better future for everyone.
Young people are the future agents of change and the COY17 conference reinforced the capacity building of young people through round tables and workshops, where we not only learned about varied topics ranging from green economy and waste management, water scarcity, global food security, renewable energy, but also learned from representatives of global organizations on how to effectively engage young people in climate action.
In addition, the conference allowed participants to enter a multinational environment through intercultural exchange, thus creating an open space for the expression of ideas and the exchange of culture. We have seen that the world gets smaller and cozier when we peacefully gather and discuss what is really important for young people who demand action, not promises or words.
The biggest impression of the conference was getting to know like-minded people from all over the world and realizing that you are not alone on the way to solving global problems. We exchanged ideas and discussed possible ways to collaborate for a sustainable future. Personally, I found it really aspiring to learn more about different student and youth organizations for climate action in other countries, where some have built an educational platform and others engaged young people through social media.
Most of all, I appreciate the opportunity to learn from their experiences and offer new ideas for my region of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. As a content creator and digital community builder, I will work to raise awareness among young people from Central Asia by introducing them to important topics, public lectures and materials. I am inspired to act, teach others and engage youth in building a better future for each other.
Alone we can bring a difference, but only together can we change the world.
The text of the youth statement can be found by clicking the link.
2020-22 Student Cohort Graduate today at University of Glasgow (29 November 2022)
The EUROSUD (2020-22 Cohort) students came back to Glasgow for the Graduation ceremony at University of Glasgow at the end of their two year Master in which they spent only the first semester in Glasgow with the duration of their studies spent at their mobility locations for Semester 2 and Year 2 . After a challenging time in which they arrived in Glasgow during the pandemic, they were thrilled to be graduating.
We wish them every success in their new careers.
𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐔𝐃 𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 - 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐎𝐳𝐞𝐦𝐡𝐨𝐲𝐚
Hi! I am Donatus Ikhane OZEMHOYA, a Nigerian, and a first-year student of the Erasmus International Master in South European Studies (EUROSUD). My application to the EUROSUD programme followed my passion for themes around Democracy; Elections; Politics; etc. Meanwhile, sequel to the success of my application, I recently joined the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), an international (voluntary) organization with support from the European Union, as the Programme Representative for EUROSUD. This role requires that I act as the go-between for the (prospective) students, the alumni community, the programme administrators, and the EMA; vice versa. The Erasmus Mundus Association's core mandate revolves around projecting the Erasmus culture, globally.
Please feel free to email me anytime at eurosud@em-a.eu for any EUROSUD programme-related support you may need, or perhaps general questions about the ERASMUS Scholarship.
By Donatus Ikane Ozemhoya
Mingyue attends Summer School in Belgium
I attended the Summer School for Data and Algorithms in Leuven, Belgium. This Programme was hosted by KU Leuven, Google and other renowned research institutions. Scholars and senior industry scientists were invited to speak about their cutting-edge research at the summer school. Furthermore, the discussions included but were not limited to practical techniques in data science tools such as MySQL, NPL (natural language processing) and its applications in social science, data cleansing and database imputation, and data analysis models ranging from traditional DID to regression discontinuity design. Many papers dealt with big data in social and political science. One study, for example, used machine learning to analyse a wide range of public policy documents concerning patents.
Also, this summer school offered a combination of talking with academic researchers and industry experts. This was appealing to me as a student preparing for a quantitative thesis project and looking for career opportunities as a data analyst in NGOs or public sectors. In addition, I used the Difference-in-Difference model to complete previous research on Spanish local election turnout and the COVID-19 pandemic. So I was able to re-access the data sample and fixed effects with other participants. In all, this intensive data summer school was an intellectually challenging but enriching experience. And I am very grateful that the Career Development Fund helped support my participation.
By Mingyue Feng
EUROSUD supports Irakli's professional development at the OECD Project
I would like to thank EUROSUD Studies and Career Development Fund for supporting me in professional development and joining the Global Relations Secretariat at Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In the Eurasia Division I will be working in the Ukraine team and contributing to the planning of recovery projects for the next 6 months. It is a great responsibility and excitement to be at the forefront of the initiatives which aim at speeding up the reconstruction of Ukraine. Gained research skills and knowledge thanks to the immersive learning experience at the University of Glasgow, NKUA and LUISS have enabled me to contribute to the OECD’s work on Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. For more than a quarter-century, the OECD has worked closely with the Eurasia region to encourage sustainable and inclusive growth in Eurasia, promoting structural reforms and capacity building, and facilitating policy dialogue. In the midst of Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, the OECD is bringing together its latest insights, analysis and data to shed light on the policy challenges ahead.
By Irakli Gabidzashvili
City Chambers Civic Reception for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programmes - September 2022
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) Programmes coordinated by the University of Glasgow received a warm welcome from the City of Glasgow at a Civic Reception held at the grand Glasgow City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow on Tuesday 20 September.
Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren opened the ceremony to welcome the students, followed by a speech from Sara Carter, Head of College of Social Sciences.
Afterwards, the EUROSUD students had the opportunity to mingle with other Erasmus students from all eleven EMJMD programmes that are coordinated by the University of Glasgow, over drinks and canapes.
There was a professional photographer to capture some special moments including a photograph of each programme with their fellow students and staff for future memories.
EUROSUD INDUCTION 2022-24 Cohort 4
The EUROSUD International Master in South European Studies Induction took place on week beginning Monday 12 September. A variety of events took place over the week, both online and in-person, including College of Social Sciences Employability Team, Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), Student Support Officers, Counselling and Psychological Services, Library Session, who provided as an introduction to the services on offer at the University of Glasgow for students and to introduce them to the various teams.
The Thursday session, for students to meet the EUROSUD team took place in the morning. Staff were delighted to meet the students in person for the first time. The afternoon session was via Zoom, and involved the EUROSUD Partners: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Greece, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), France and LUISS Guido Carli, Rome, Italy. The students met the partners from each Institution for their Semesters 2, 3 and 4 pathways in break-out rooms, which gave them the opportunity to ask questions about their chosen pathways.
Thursday evening was the EUROSUD social event, which took place in the CCA – The Centre for Contemporary Arts: Saramago Café Bar in the City Centre. Professor Tsakatika joked with the students that the food was vegan, although there were plenty of burger places to eat in the city if they needed meat afterwards! However the food went down a treat with everyone saying it was very good, perhaps one or two converted meat eaters! The night was lovely and everyone got to meet, chat, eat and drink in a lovely environment.
The programme is excited to welcome the students to Glasgow for a great first semester!
Mariam Participated in an International Conference on Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, Germany
I participated in the international conference "Cultural Diplomacy to Counter Disinformation," which took place September 3-5, 2022, in Berlin. The program included lectures, workshops, and panel discussions among representatives of the Eastern Partnership/EaP countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine).
The conference covered the topics of cultural diplomacy, countering disinformation, and civil society education and echoed the following questions: What is meant by cultural diplomacy? How can diplomacy counter disinformation? How should countries help the voice of the truth to sound louder with the help of cultural heritage and diplomacy? Can culture be the speaking trumpet of dispropaganda? Given that today's societies are more vulnerable to disinformation and propaganda, the conference's combination of theoretical and practical components served as a good toolkit for putting this experience into practice in the settings of both the EaP and Southeast European countries.
The conference was organized and implemented by Berlin-based NGO CRISP with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office and in a partnership with the Civil Society Cooperation Program.
I am grateful to my program and the Career Development Fund of the University of Glasgow for supporting my participation in the conference.
Mariam Gugulashvili, Georgia, cohort 2021–2023.
Meron (Ghebreigziabiher) Participates in Summer School in Prague
From the 14th to 20th of August I participated on the Summer School on Migration and Development, organized by GEOMIGRACE, a research institute collaborating with the Department of Social Geogra
phy and Regional Development at Charles University of Prague together with the support of IMISCOE (International Migration Research Network). The school invited experience and well-known scholars and experts, from international and non-governmental organizations, who delivered lectures, seminars workshops and panel on migration and development issues on different part of the globe. The topics that have been discussed during the week-school have ranged from Migration Theories and Myths, providing a solid theoretical base in order to understand the different types of migrations as well the correct terminology used in the academic field we assigned, from relevant example of migratory flows currently happening in the world. For instance, the Venezuelan case was discussed as an example of flow where millions of people were forcibly displaced worldwide, without UNHCR recognising them as refugees; on the contrary experts from IOM illustrated us the current case of the Ukraine refugees crisis showing how the UNHCR and EU approach to it was completely different.
Through the participation of various specialist coming from the field, I was able to get a clearer picture on how migratory flows have been managed over the years, how the integration of these populations is still a big challenge for the majority of the world countries, and finally still the existence of double-standards and prejudices when it comes to welcome certain flow of possible asylum seekers.
Finally, since we were 80 participants, including master’s degree students, PHD candidates and experts with several years of experience in the field, the discussions emerging during the lectures have been extremely interesting and motivating for me. I got the chance to understand how refugees and migration “crisis” are handed by relevant IOs and which aspects are prioritised; as my future goal would be to work on refugees matter in the Central Mediterranean route it was a fruitful opportunity for me to take part in this summer school.
By Meron Ghebreigziabiher
Nathan expands his Spanish knowledge in Granada, Spain
I spend the month of July improving my Spanish at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas in Granada. I have been studying Spanish for many years and the opportunity to spend a semester in Spain was one of the main reasons I elected to do the EUROSUD degree. I was able to take two courses in Spanish at UAM in the Spring semester and the Career Development Fund allowed me to continue my studies at the CLM for a month afterwards. I greatly enjoyed exploring another region (and dialect!) of Spain and am excited to leverage my Spanish abilities as I look to begin my Thesis in year 2 of the degree.
by Nathan Guerin