Jordan Daily – The Delegation of the European Union to Jordan hosted the “Erasmus+ Meet & Connect” event, bringing together Erasmus+ alumni, prospective students, and youth organisations to celebrate the achievements of the Erasmus+ programme and inspire new opportunities for international exchange.
The event featured personal stories of students who took part in Erasmus+, which is the EU’s programme that supports education, training, youth, and sport across Europe, encouraged networking among alumni and prospective students, and highlighted the strong cooperation between the EU Delegation, the Erasmus+ National Office and youth stakeholders in Jordan, The EU in Amman said in statement received by Jordan Daily.
The event was marked by high-level participation, including Dr. Azmi Mahafzah, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, Ambassador of the European Union to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe.
Since its establishment in 1987, the Erasmus+ programme has been enabling higher education students to study or undertake internships in Europe at partner universities in participating countries, earning credits towards their degree while gaining valuable academic and cultural experience.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mahafzah highlighted the value of Erasmus+ for Jordan’s higher education sector: “The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research remains firmly committed to supporting the Erasmus+ programme. We collaborate closely with National Erasmus Office (NEO) – Jordan to ensure that the programme continues to align with our national strategies and priorities. Together, we strive to expand opportunities for our students and academics, to reinforce the quality and relevance of our higher education system, and to strengthen our partnerships with Europe.”
Chatzisavas underlined the EU’s strong commitment to Jordanian youth: “For decades, the European Union Delegation in Jordan has been dedicated to supporting young people through a variety of programmes, with Erasmus+ standing out as one of the most significant. This programme helps students and young professionals develop their skills while connecting with their European peers and academics. By promoting mobility and intercultural dialogue, Erasmus+ fosters mutual understanding and cooperation between Jordan and Europe, reinforcing our shared value of tolerance and our deep and sincere friendship.”
Ms. Mogherini’s participation in the event was particularly important, sharing her experience as alumna of the programme and as Rector of the College of Europe. Mogherini stressed the importance of people-to-people connections through Erasmus+: “The bonds and the connections you created through Erasmus+ will remain with you for your whole life. The connections and friendships we build across borders are the true strength of the European Union. Erasmus+ is an investment in people, it fosters mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation.”
The event featured a panel session with Jordanian alumni, who shared their personal experiences and reflected on how their Erasmus+ experiences influenced their lives and helped them advance their careers. Youth participants also shared feedback and aspirations, turning this gathering into a networking platform for dialogue between alumni, potential future participants, and youth stakeholders.
Jordan is the third largest beneficiary of Erasmus+ in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood, with 5,607 Jordanians participating in mobility opportunities between 2014 and 2024. Around 75% studied in EU Member States, while 25% pursued exchanges in other Southern Neighbourhood countries. Capacity-building projects in Jordan, the statement noted, reached €2 million in 2024. In the current programme cycle, more than 600 students have benefitted from short-term mobility, alongside 59 Erasmus Mundus long-term scholarships.
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship programme for education, training, youth and sport. It provides scholarships, internships, and study opportunities that strengthen skills, build institutions, and connect people across borders. In Jordan, Erasmus+ has empowered thousands of young people, advanced higher education reform, and deepened people-to-people links between Jordan and Europe.
