Preparing for Your Erasmus Mundus Journey – Uzbekistan 2026

1 July 2026 – Today, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan, together with the National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan, hosted the annual Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) for the 13 Uzbek students selected for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) programmes beginning in the 2026/2027 academic year. Held at the EU Residence in Tashkent in a hybrid format, the event brought together selected EMJM students, Erasmus Mundus alumni, representatives of EU Member States' embassies, international organisations and education experts to help prepare participants for their academic and cultural journey across Europe.

The annual orientation equips future Erasmus Mundus students with practical knowledge and guidance before they begin their studies abroad. Through interactive discussions, alumni experience-sharing sessions and presentations by representatives of European embassies, participants received advice on academic life, intercultural communication, student mobility and adapting to life in different European countries.

Opening the event, H.E. Toivo Klaar, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan, congratulated the selected students on joining one of Europe's most prestigious international higher education programmes.

"As Erasmus Mundus Scholars, you will become an important bridge between Europe and Uzbekistan. The strongest connections between our regions are not built by roads or railways, but by people. During your studies you will bring Uzbekistan to Europe, and when you return home you will bring back new ideas, friendships and knowledge that will contribute to Uzbekistan's continued development."

The Ambassador also underlined the European Union's longstanding commitment to expanding educational cooperation with Uzbekistan and highlighted the growing role of Erasmus+ in strengthening people-to-people ties between Europe and Central Asia.

This year's cohort includes 13 students from Uzbekistan who will pursue master's degrees in a diverse range of disciplines, including law and gender studies, economics, environmental sustainability, engineering, cybersecurity, clinical linguistics, cultural entrepreneurship, nuclear applications and European politics. Students will begin their studies at leading universities in France, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Finland, Poland, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Serbia and the United Kingdom, before continuing mobility periods at partner universities across Europe. 

The programme featured inspirational remarks from Sara Noshadi, Head of the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan and an Erasmus Mundus alumna, together with contributions from representatives of the embassies of France, Germany, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. Participants also benefited from practical sessions delivered by Erasmus Mundus alumni and current students, who shared first-hand experiences on studying abroad, building international networks and making the most of the Erasmus experience.

A dedicated training session on intercultural communication and academic success abroad complemented the programme, providing participants with practical tools to navigate multicultural learning environments and maximise the opportunities offered through Erasmus Mundus. 

The orientation also reinforced the importance of the growing Erasmus Mundus alumni community in Uzbekistan. Students were encouraged to remain actively engaged with fellow scholars, alumni and the wider Erasmus+ network throughout their studies and after returning home, helping strengthen long-term cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union.

Background

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are prestigious international master's programmes delivered by consortia of leading universities from different countries. Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, they provide outstanding students with the opportunity to obtain joint or multiple degrees while studying at several European higher education institutions.

Since its launch, the Erasmus+ programme has supported more than 16 million participants worldwide. Erasmus Mundus alone has funded 349 joint master's programmes involving higher education institutions from around the world and has awarded scholarships to more than 34,000 students from 179 countries, including 154 students from Uzbekistan since 2015. 

In 2026, 13 students from Uzbekistan were selected to join Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programmes, including 7 Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders and 6 self-funded students. They will study across a wide range of academic disciplines at leading European universities, further strengthening educational links between the European Union and Uzbekistan.