EU-Brunei Erasmus Plus ICM Notes
EU-Brunei Cooperation in Higher Education and Erasmus Plus ICM — Detailed Notes
Context and promotional overview (speech at outset)
EU motto: "united in diversity"; Brunei promotes similar values in education and culture.
Europe offers not only state-of-the-art studies and qualifications but also culture, people-to-people connections, and 24 official languages.
Benefits highlighted for students: culture, nature, environment, and value for money (funding and facilities developed over decades).
50–70 years of investment across 27 EU countries in higher education and health care systems; studying in Europe provides access to these systems.
Acknowledgement of changing global conditions: a famous singer-poet (Nobel laureate) suggested that times are changing and a powerful country is not favoring foreign students; EU presents an alternative pathway.
EU position: welcome students, researchers, and citizens; visa facilitation and awareness-building with authorities; commitment to collaboration regardless of geopolitical shifts.
Closing note of this section: invitation to join the European Union’s higher education ecosystem and to engage with EU opportunities.
Opening speech by Dr. Haji Asman bin Ahmad (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam)
Occasion: Second webinar on EU-Brunei cooperation in higher education and research; aims to strengthen long-standing partnership in vital sectors.
Gratitude extended to EU delegation, EU-Brunei partnership facility, MOE Brunei, and University Brunei Darussalam (UBD) for hosting the session.
Higher education as a national investment and cornerstone of sustainable economic future per Brunei Vision 2035; aligns with Brunei’s manpower blueprint in the 2023–2027 strategic plan.
Brunei universities mentioned: UBD; University of Technology Brunei (UTB); Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB is listed twice in some transcripts as UTB/UTP); Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA); and other institutions. These Brunei universities have earned recognition in QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE).
Global collaborations: Brunei has forged over 300 global collaborations with the EU; the EU is a key partner for joint research and curriculum innovation.
Mission alignment with job market: graduates equipped for priority sectors through robust industry–academia partnerships, including internships and apprenticeships; emphasis on immediate productivity and contribution.
Role of universities as incubators for entrepreneurship; integration of entrepreneurship modules and seed funding to foster a vibrant ecosystem of job creators and innovators.
Future of work: automation, AI, and rapid tech change prompt Brunei to emphasize soft skills (complex problem solving, creativity, adaptability, cultural intelligence); lifelong learning via micro-credentials and upskilling programs; leadership in emerging fields (AI, renewable energy, circular economy).
Call for continuous dialogue among government, industry, and academia to synchronize higher education with the job market; webinar serves as a platform for premier educational resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and transformative international experiences.
Centrality of Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe in driving these goals; six Bruneians have benefited from Erasmus Plus (International Credit Mobility, ICM) and gained cross-cultural competencies.
Encouragement to Brunei students and scholars to engage with Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe to amplify Brunei’s research impact globally; calls for stronger partnerships with EU universities to co-develop programs and innovations.
Final thoughts: aligning academic excellence with Brunei’s economic ambitions; bridging continents through education and research; gratitude extended to the EU, higher education community, and participants.
Session overview: Erasmus Plus International Credit Mobility (ICM) for Brunei Darussalam
Moderator: Dr. Zarifi Masri (Deputy Director for Strategic Partnerships, Office of Assistant Vice Chancellor, Global Engagement, University of Brunei Darussalam).
Objective: illustrate how Brunei HEIs can benefit from Erasmus Plus ICM, form partnerships with European universities, and enable Brunei students to participate in academic exchanges.
Audience: representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brunei’s HEIs; encourages ideas, collaborations, and participation.
Q&A: Slido will be used for questions after the break.
Speaker 1: Destriani Nugroho (EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam – Education Program Manager)
Background: bachelor’s degree in Indonesia; master’s in economics and rural development from University of Manchester (Schevening Scholarship funded by UK government); working with the EU delegation since 1993 as Education Program Manager.
Core topic: overview of Erasmus Plus International Credit Mobility (ICM) and how Brunei institutions can participate.
Key points: requirements for universities to participate in ICM
PIC (Participant Identification Code): a unique nine-digit identifier for an institution to apply for EU funding via the European Commission authentication service (ECCAS).
Each university may have one PIC; verify whether it is registered before registering new institutions.
Process steps: search if your university is registered in the EC; use the “Find a registered organization” and “Search for a PIC” tools.
Brunei status: as of this talk, two Bruneian universities are registered—University of Technology Brunei (UTB) and University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Other Bruneian higher education institutions may need to register to participate.
PIC status: for Brunei institutions with validated status, documents have been accepted by EC; for ICM, a declared status suffices to start applying.
How to obtain a PIC: create a EU login account and register the organization; provide legal name, university name, country, registration number, VAT number, etc.; after submission, a nine-digit PIC is issued with a declared status.
If validation is incomplete, you may pause and resume later.
PIC validation support: contact the PIC management team via the provided email address if validation issues arise.
Documentation for validated status (example): statute, declaration of legal entity, appointment of legal representative, tax numbers, etc.
ICM program overview (highlights):
Erasmus Plus is a broad EU program funding education, training, youth, and sport, fostering international cooperation with the EU and third countries (including Brunei Darussalam).
ICM specifics: focuses on exchanges of students and staff for short-term mobility between Brunei and European partner universities.
Other Erasmus Plus components mentioned: Erasmus Mundus joint master scholarships for postgraduate study in Europe and beyond.
Countries and eligibility context
EU member states: 27 countries.
Six additional countries that participate in Erasmus Plus (as described in the talk). Note: transcript contains typographical errors in some country names (e.g., Desenzin, Nos); the intended list is typically Turkey, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The talk also emphasizes 33 partner countries in total (EU 27 + 6 others).
Brunei universities may partner with these 33 countries’ universities which hold an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE).
The ECHE ensures that host universities provide mobility support (including online linguistic preparation) and that mobility is for studying/teaching/training (not for research-only). It also requires a fair, transparent, and documented selection process and recognition of learning outcomes by the home university.
Inter-institutional agreements
An Erasmus ICM mobility does not require a prior Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Brunei and European partner universities; instead, mobility relies on an International Agreement form (Inter-institutional agreement) signed by the two institutions to govern the specifics of the mobility.
Example provided: University of Patras (Greece) and University of Brunei Darussalam collaborate via a bilateral agreement to enable two-way mobility (Brunei students/faculty to Europe and European participants to Brunei).
Mobility framework and two-way flow
The ICM supports two-way mobility: Brunei to Europe and Europe to Brunei; this is part of what is described as the “international dimensions” of the program.
The example illustrates cross-continent partnerships (Patras and Brunei) where students and scholars move in both directions.
Participant levels and requirements
Students: eligible levels include bachelor, master, and doctoral; must be enrolled in a home HEI leading to a degree; must be in at least the second year (not eligible in the first year).
Students with special needs: eligible; there is top-up funding from the European Commission for such cases.
Traineeships: may be possible if there is a collaboration with European companies; must be integrated into the student’s program.
Duration and outcomes
Mobility duration: between 2 and 12 months, depending on bilateral agreement between the partner institutions.
Credit transfer: the student’s credits earned abroad are recognized by the home university upon return.
Staff mobility: opportunities to teach or undertake training in Europe; teaching requires a minimum of 8 hours per week; a combination of teaching and training requires at least 4 hours of teaching per week with a minimum of 5 days of mobility, excluding travel; maximum period is 2 months.
Funding and allowances
Student monthly grant: typically €800–€900 per month (illustrative range; exact figures may vary by year and call).
Travel grant: distance-based; range from €23 to €1,500; distance calendar used to justify travel costs.
Example provided: Bandar Seri Begawan to Patras, Greece ≈ 9,950 km; eligible for a €1,500 travel grant.
A distance calculator tool is used to determine eligibility and amounts.
Tuition and other fees: no tuition fees charged by host institutions under the ICM, where applicable; travel costs depend on distance.
Application process and timelines
Who applies: Universities from the EU and the 33 partner countries collaborate; typically, the partner country university submits the proposal to their national agency, and Brunei institutions collaborate with them.
Role of national agencies: each of the 33 participating countries has a National Agency (which receives EU funding and runs the mobility program in their country) and makes the decision on grant allocations.
Typical open application window: November 2025 to February 2026, with the Brunei counterpart encouraged to identify partners and prepare proposals.
Practical steps for Brunei institutions:
Ensure PIC exists and is declared; continue if necessary.
Identify European partner universities with compatible subjects and degree recognition.
Engage potential partners and secure agreements on mobility formats and credit recognition.
Update the home university’s international office website to reflect Erasmus activities and partner contacts.
Important contacts and roles within Brunei
Brunei Erasmus National Focal Point: Dr. Young Mulea (name as spoken; transcript includes multiple variants like Young Mulea, Mona Alian Abinti, etc.).
Acting Director, Higher Education Department: Dr. Paducah Awangaji Mohammad Alimin (name variants appear in transcript).
Other figures mentioned: Professor Dr. Basilio Sikoras; Erasmus alumni who will share experiences; Nourfatina Fina (youth representative on EU-ASEAN Youth Sounding Board).
Alumni engagement and communications
Erasmus alumni in Brunei are highlighted; a Brunei Erasmus Plus alumni network exists on social media (Instagram) to share experiences and opportunities.
The Brunei EU-ASEAN Youth Sounding Board representative, Nourfatina Fina (Fina), is mentioned as a link to youth perspectives and engagement with EU counterparts.
Disclaimer and guidance
The presentation is illustrative; for the full guide and up-to-date details, use the official Erasmus Plus program resources.
Link provided in slides for the full guide; applicants should rely on official national agencies for the latest requirements and deadlines.
Practical takeaways and action steps for Brunei HEIs (ICM readiness)
Ensure a PIC (Participant Identification Code) is obtained and in declared status; this enables applying for ICM funding.
Create or confirm an EU login account and register the home institution; gather required legal documents (statute, legal entity declaration, appointment of legal representative, VAT/tax numbers, etc.).
Verify whether Brunei universities (e.g., UTB, UBD) are already registered; other Brunei HEIs should apply to register and obtain a PIC.
Build or renew inter-institutional agreements with European partner universities using the International Agreement form; you do not strictly need a prior MoU to participate in ICM, but you do need an agreed framework for mobility.
Identify potential European partner universities with programs that match Brunei’s study fields and ensure recognition of credits upon return.
Ensure partner universities hold ECHE; plan mobility that satisfies the ECHE requirements (support for incoming participants, language preparation, and mobility for teaching/learning/training).
Consider both student and staff mobility to maximize impact; plan for short-term teaching/hosting as well as student exchanges.
Prepare to leverage Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe for broader research and funding impact; highlight ongoing collaborations, pilot projects, and potential for joint curriculums.
Maintain active communications with the Brunei Erasmus National Focal Point and the EU Delegation; participate in webinars and other events to stay informed about deadlines and opportunities.
Important numerical references (LaTeX-ready)
PIC: a nine-digit number identifying each registered institution.
Mobility duration for students: per mobility agreement.
Monthly student allowances: .
Travel outcomes: distance-based travel grants from to depending on distance; example: distance d = Brunei to Greece, qualifying for the €1,500 travel grant.
Open application window: roughly for initial calls.
Target partner pool: there are partner countries (EU 27 + 6 additional countries).
Example mobility two-way flow: a pair like University of Patras (Greece) – Brunei Darussalam example illustrating both incoming and outgoing mobility.
Connections to broader principles and real-world relevance
Alignment with Brunei’s Vision 2035 and manpower blueprint emphasizes higher education as a driver of sustainable economic development.
The program promotes lifelong learning, micro-credentials, and upskilling to adapt to AI, automation, and digital economy demands.
Emphasis on soft skills (complex problem solving, creativity, adaptability, cultural intelligence) mirrors industry expectations in a rapidly changing labor market.
The EU’s model of international cooperation through education and research is presented as a strategic channel for Brunei to access cutting-edge knowledge, state-of-the-art facilities, and cross-border research opportunities.
Potential ethical, philosophical, and practical implications
Global mobility can foster intercultural understanding but may be influenced by political climates; the Brunei-EU partnership frames mobility as a stable, rights-based opportunity for students and scholars.
Emphasis on equitable access and support for students with special needs reflects an inclusive educational philosophy.
Dependency on external funding and national agencies requires sustainable planning within national higher education strategies.
Balancing national educational priorities with European opportunities requires careful alignment of curricula, recognition of credits, and long-term strategic partnerships.
Quick glossary (LaTeX-ready definitions)
Erasmus Plus: is the EU program that funds education, training, youth, and sport, and promotes international cooperation with partner countries including Brunei Darussalam.
ICM: , a component of Erasmus Plus focusing on student and staff exchanges between Europe and partner countries.
ECHE: , the credential that universities must hold to participate in Erasmus Plus mobility.
ECCAS: used to validate a university’s PIC and process Erasmus Plus applications.
PIC: , a unique nine-digit identifier for an institution in Erasmus Plus programme administration.
Inter-institutional agreement: a formal agreement between a home and a host university outlining mobility details (courses, duration, credits, responsibilities).
Appendix: Key names and contacts mentioned (transcript notes indicate potential spellings/typos)
Brunei Erasmus National Focal Point (NFP): Dr. Young Mulea (also referenced as Dr. Mona Alian Abinti in some text variants).
Acting Director, Higher Education Department (MOE Brunei): Dr. Paducah Awangaji Mohammad Alimin.
Alumni and youth representatives: Prof. Dr. Basilio Sikoras (alumni speaker) and Nourfatina Fina (Nour, youth representative on EU-ASEAN Youth Sounding Board).
Session moderator: Dr. Zarifi Masri (UBD) with acknowledgment of other speakers and EU delegations.
Official channels: Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe resources, national agency portals, and the EU Delegation in Brunei/Indonesia for up-to-date guides.
Summary takeaways
Erasmus Plus ICM provides a structured, two-way mobility framework between Brunei and Europe, with clear requirements (PIC, ECHE, inter-institutional agreements) and generous funding (monthly stipends and travel allowances).
The program supports both student and staff exchanges, with defined durations and credit-transfer mechanisms to ensure continued progress toward degrees.
Practical steps include registering Brunei HEIs with the EC, securing partnerships with European universities, and leveraging national agencies to manage proposals and awards.
The broader goal is to align Brunei’s higher education with Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem, supporting Brunei’s economic diversification, digital transformation, and sustainable development under Vision 2035.
Suggested actions for students and staff (quick list)
Check whether your home university has a PIC; if not, begin PIC registration and aim for a declared status.
Identify European partner universities with compatible programs and ensure credit recognition for return.
Explore both incoming and outgoing mobility opportunities and how your study program or research aligns with host-country opportunities.
Prepare for the application window by coordinating with your university’s international office and the Brunei NFP or national agency.
Follow official Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe guidance for updated deadlines, required documents, and funding rules.
Notes on transcript nuances
The transcript contains several typos and inconsistent spellings (e.g., Desenzin, Nos, Brunei Dar Es Salaam), which appear in multiple places and should be cross-verified with official sources.[End of notes]
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EU-Brunei Erasmus Plus International Credit Mobility (ICM) — Detailed Notes