In 2023, I was awarded the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) Scholarship to study in the EU-funded master’s program Choreomundus – International Master in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage. This is one of the most prestigious international academic programs in the field of dance and cultural heritage, funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) under the European Union.
The program spans four universities across Europe:
- University of Clermont Auvergne (France)
- NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway)
- University of Szeged (Hungary)
- University of Roehampton (United Kingdom)
As part of this award, I received a €49,000 fully funded scholarship, covering tuition, subsistence, travel, and installation costs. The selection process was highly competitive, involving candidates from around the world.
Among those selected, I am one of two Bangladeshi recipients, and importantly, I was chosen without an academic background in dance. My undergraduate studies were in International Relations at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Despite that, my professional experience, performance history, and choreographic work led to my selection for a dance research program — a rare and meaningful recognition of my merit and potential. The other Bangladeshi recipient came from a formal academic background in dance, which makes my inclusion even more significant.
Proof:
- Supporting Letter from the Coordinating Administrator
- Choreomundus application video:
This shows how I got into the program, through my dancing performance, not because of my academic background.
- Scholarship Award Letter