Students at the University of the Free State (UFS) certainly have an interest in internationalisation and studying abroad. This was evident at an information session held in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus. The event, co-hosted by the Central University of Technology, attracted approximately 200 students who are interested in studies in Europe.

Kovsies can look forward to more sessions, as these two universities will be hosting similar events in future to ensure that the student community is exposed to overseas study opportunities.

UFS joined European consortium

The session took place on 4 October 2017 and forms part of a consortium, called Study in Europe, which the UFS joined. It is funded by stakeholders in European higher education. The collaboration, which is coordinated by the Academic Cooperation Association under the European Union, aims to provide information about study opportunities in Europe.

Students had the opportunity to gain information on scholarships for mobility exchange and degree study opportunities in Europe. Representatives from Nuffic-Neso (The Netherlands), Campus France, the Swedish Institute, and the Hungarian Embassy highlighted their flagship scholarship programmes.

Each representative was given 15 minutes to summarise the country’s higher-education profile. The presentations covered scholarship programmes, short-term mobility exchanges, degree opportunities, summer and winter programmes, cost of living, and visa requirements. Each country also had a designated stall for promotional material and one-on-one interaction.

Many opportunities available

The Hungarian Ministry of Education, represented by Agnes Juhasz from the Hungarian Embassy in South Africa, presented the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme. Campus France, represented by Jannike Bergh, introduced various programmes.

Helen Pietersen from the Swedish Institute presented comprehensive full-time master’s scholarships. Nuffic-Neso from the Netherlands, represented by Mervin Bakker and Xhanti Mhlambiso, introduced opportunities ranging from undergraduate to post-doctoral studies.

Visit the following websites for more information:

Hungary: www.studyinhungary.co.za

France: www.campusfrance.org

Sweden: www.studyinsweden.se

The Netherlands: www.studyinholland.nl/scholarships/find-a-scholarship