Kathmandu: Manisha Koirala from Okhaldhunga in Koshi Province got to know about the full scholarship offered by the European Union’s two-year Erasmus+ postgraduate program while she was studying for her graduation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she got an opportunity to participate in an event held by alumni of the Erasmus program, which developed her interest in the scholarship. As soon as she graduated, she started preparing to apply for the Erasmus scholarship program. Finally, she was selected for the Erasmus scholarship program for the year 2024/25.
“During Covid-19, I coincidentally had an opportunity to participate in an Erasmus alumni event. That’s when I got a chance to know more about the program. After completing my studies, I decided to apply anyway. I started my preparation in the fifth semester. Now that I have been selected, I feel that my hard work has paid off. I am pursuing Master’s degree in Plant Bidding,” said Koirala.
As many as 33 Nepali students have received full scholarships for the year 2024/25 to study in various European universities. The selected students will study their chosen subject in more than two countries.
The students who received the scholarship say that they will apply the skills and knowledge that they acquire in European universities in relevant fields in Nepal after they return to the country after completing their respective courses.
“Since plant breeding is a subject related to agriculture, I think that I will gain knowledge about increasing immunity in plants, production, etc. I believe that implementing my knowledge in an agricultural country like Nepal, will certainly be beneficial,” said Koirala. “I would like to thank the EU from the bottom of my heart for giving me this opportunity.”
She is excited to go Europe to pursue her further studies on a full scholarship. “This is not just a scholarship but also a good mentorship program.”
Like Koirala, Aditya Agrahari from Bara district of Madhesh Province is equally excited. He is currently working as a civil engineer in a hydropower company, and will now go to study a subject related to Sustainable Construction.
He believes that the education he will receive in Europe and the knowledge he will acquire there will be useful in Nepal, as hydroelectricity, roads, buildings, stadiums, and other structures are under construction in Nepal and there is a need to build more. Agrahari said that he hopes to learn how to reduce the negative impact of construction work on the environment.
“The Erasmus scholarship is a big achievement in itself. I am very happy to be selected among many students from all over the world. I want to thank the EU and the Erasmus program for this opportunity,” he said.
Sona Maharjan and Sarna Tuladhar from Lalitpur are also going to European countries for studies under the ‘Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship Program’. Maharjan will be studying Transition, Innovation, Sustainability Environment, and Tuladhar will join the Environmental Technology and Engineering program. They say that they will fully utilize their education, knowledge, and skills acquired in Europe in Nepal.
Sarana, who grew up near the Bagmati River, has seen the river change throughout her life. She is sure about returning to Nepal and contributing to the study and research on these various environmental issues.
“I was doing research in environmental science for two and a half years and wanted to do something related to this field. I was okay with any good opportunity that came my way. I am very happy to be selected for the Erasmus program,” Sarana said, adding ‘The subject that I am going to study has the management of wastewater as the major component. For instance, recently, floods entered various areas of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. The flood has also taken the sewage water that came out of the house into the house again. It causes major health problems. I believe that I will have the opportunity to learn, understand, and implement things on how to minimize such incidents and how to manage the wastewater coming out of the house.”
Sona was looking for studies at different universities of the world. However, she could not dare because it was very expensive. That’s when she applied for the Erasmus program. To her joy, she was also selected. “I am very happy and excited. I am very happy to study with a full scholarship,” she said.
She studied computer science and psychology in India. In recent times, many subjects are connected with technology. Therefore, she believes that what she will study in Europe will be useful in Nepal in the future.
“Such programs give us the opportunity to learn about the development of different countries, especially European countries, their culture and traditions. We also get the opportunity to tell and explain many things to them about Nepal,” said Sona. “For some, even now, Nepal only means Everest and Lumbini. Some have been confused by that. We can explain and let them know that Nepal is much more than these.”
Biju Adhikari from Nawalparasi East in Gandaki Province is a Research Intern at the National Plant Pathology Research Center in Khumaltar, Lalitpur. As per the job, they reach different districts in Nepal and raise public awareness among farmers about soil-borne diseases. Having studied agriculture here as well, she is going to study ‘Plant health in cropping systems’ in Europe which deals with plant diseases and pests. She had applied last year as well but she was not shortlisted.
It’s a different story for her this year.
“This was my second time. I had applied last year as well. However, at that time I was on the reserve list even though I appeared for the interview. I am very happy to be selected for the Erasmus program this year. I would like to thank the EU and Erasmus for this,” said Biju. “I will learn about the Sustainable Agriculture System in Europe and how plant diseases and pests are controlled. After that, I want to return to Nepal and provide the same knowledge and skills to the farmers.”
Nirajan Sharma Timilsina from Rupandehi district of Lumbini province, who is going to study ‘Manufacturing by Sustainable and Intelligent Technology,’ said that his studies will be beneficial for small-scale industries in Nepal. He feels that he can contribute to making the small-scale industry sustainable. He considers getting an Erasmus scholarship as difficult as passing the Public Service Commission exam.
“I am very happy to have been selected for Erasmus. For me, Erasmus is equivalent to vying for a civil service position; that too with other people from all over the world. Therefore, being selected in this way seems to be a great success in itself,” he said.
“I will be able to work in favor of small enterprises in Nepal after completing the subject that I will study. Small-scale industries can be made technology-friendly. It can be made competitive. Money flows in the country if small-scale industries continue to operate,” he said. “At least a few jobs are created. Therefore small-scale industries should be made sustainable. We can then export numerous products to foreign countries. I hope that after completing the course from Europe, I can contribute at least a little to such things.”
[Also read: 33 Nepali students receive EU’s Erasmus+ scholarships for postgraduate education in Europe]
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