Erasmus Mundus Scholar Gizelle Jamero from the Philippines Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the University of Ghent, Belgium

I am Gizelle Jamero from the Philippines. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering from the University of the Philippines Diliman. I went on to practice Materials Engineering for 8 years in the oil and gas industry. The O&G industry is a highly critical field, and so safety in design has been a core principle in my daily activities. Having worked in offshore projects in the latter years of my O&G experience, I decided to reinforce my knowledge and skills gap and supplement my work experience by pursuing further studies. I graduated in 2023 with a master’s degree from the International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering (IMFSE) with a Magna Cum Laude distinction and was honored with a Margaret Law Award.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the 2021 intake. The scholarship covered full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, and travel and installation support.

I had initially applied for the 2020 intake and was admitted to IMFSE, but without a scholarship. After receiving the result, I recovered for a week and immediately began preparing a stronger scholarship application for the following year. The rest is history.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Erasmus Mundus scholarship for Sustainable Ship and Shipping 4.0 (SEAS 4.0) (University of Napoli Federico II, University of A Coruna, and University of Zagreb), 2021 – I was accepted for their pilot cohort. The program focuses on equipping students with state-of-the-art knowledge related to new trends in the maritime industry. The scholarship also included full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, and travel and installation support.

The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) for Maintenance Engineering (Luleå University of Technology), 2021. Maintenance Engineering focuses on asset management and effective maintenance processes to support rapid technology development and sustainability in industries. The scholarship covered full tuition fees, living expenses, and a travel grant.

The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship for Engineering Management (University of Debrecen), 2021. The aim of the program is to equip engineering professionals with technical management skills to address challenges and develop solutions around engineering-economics tasks and technical and economic processes. The scholarship offered full tuition, a monthly stipend, and an accommodation contribution.

I believe that any of the above scholarships and course programs would greatly enrich my work experience. As I have been working towards becoming a technical expert, any of these opportunities would be a right step towards my career goals.

Educational Background

Material engineering has always fascinated me because materials essentially serve as the foundation of any engineering field. From major developments such as mega infrastructures to nanotechnology that can navigate the human body, material engineering plays a crucial role.

In the field of fire safety, materials significantly contribute to the growth and development of fire, its spread, and overall behaviour. Thus, my background in materials engineering enabled me to understand the fundamentals of fire science and engineering. The courses I previously studied involved Chemistry, Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, and Material Behaviour, along with general engineering courses (drafting, research methods, and basic programming). These courses equipped me with the foundational knowledge that supported my graduate studies. A master’s degree often involves reinforcing and building upon existing engineering knowledge.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Research is key. The institution's websites are rich with information, and most of the details you need to start an application are listed within. I also attended virtual program days if the scholarship/program offered them. This allowed me to ask the program organisers for any additional clarifications when the websites are unclear.

I took academic IELTS (band 8.0) and GRE (Quantitative Reasoning - 160, Verbal Reasoning - 153). I allotted a week to prepare for the IELTS. I took the free online tests offered by the test administrators. These were helpful as the online tests mirrored the format and style of the questions on the exam day. For the GRE, I spent 3 months practicing for it. I spent the weekdays reviewing the general topics and allotted the weekends to practice the timed exams. I focused more on Quantitative Reasoning since I was applying to an engineering program.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

Again, research is key. I spoke to several past recipients of the scholarships that I applied to and asked them how they think their application stood out. Most of them generously offered their time to go over my motivation letters. I went on LinkedIn and contacted alumni of the programs, and they gave great insights and tips on how to make an outstanding application.

I kept an organized tracker of all the program requirements and deadlines. I would set deadlines for when to finish a draft of my motivation letter and when to follow up with my referrals for the reference letters. I applied a month earlier than the deadline.

How is Your Experience at Institutions?

Overall, the education I received from the IMFSE was world-class as it was taught by some of the world’s leading fire scientists. As part of the Erasmus scheme, the program allowed us to choose study tracks within the partner institutions (University of Ghent – Belgium, Lund University – Sweden, University of Edinburgh – UK). The master’s dissertation can also be undertaken with industry partners and other global institutions with top-notch fire safety programs (University of Maryland, University of Queensland, etc.). The program was structured such that we started with the basics of fire science and then finished with courses that helped us to be industry-ready. We also had hands-on experiences with fire experiments and fire computer modelling.

The program also opened many networking opportunities with the global fire safety community. During my time as a student, I was fortunate to intern for the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (based in the US) and the FRISSBE project in Slovenia.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or the Countries' Native Languages?

The classes were conducted in English.

What Did You Pursue After the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

I am currently a Fire Engineer for Arup in Ireland. I have been working on several interesting projects, which include design and consulting work for the proposed M5 metro line for Copenhagen and desktop audits for the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry program.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe it was the clarity of my motivation and career goals. Rather than applying with a generic motivation, my application read as quite intentional with a focused direction. The decision to pursue graduate studies stemmed from challenges I observed within the industry. In order to better equip myself to address emerging challenges, I saw graduate studies as a good avenue to bridge my knowledge gap. Further, I clearly stated that I planned to return to the industry and apply the learnings from the master’s studies.

Additionally, I provided strong reference letters that were drafted by senior leadership and management with whom I’ve personally collaborated on several projects. This further strengthened my application as the letters detailed my work ethic and my specific contributions to the success of the projects.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

Overall, I was very pleased with the outcome of my applications.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Less is more. This advice is strongly directed towards applicants who, like me during my application period, are juggling full-time work and the application process. It is better to target a program that clearly aligns with your work experience and long-term goals. When applying for a scholarship or a program, detail not only what the program can offer to enhance your personal development but also state how you can contribute to the success of the program and beyond.

Many potential applicants are also intimidated by the academic requirements. Surely, there are programs with strict grade requirements. However, there are also those who consider the holistic background of the applicant (work experience, community engagement, leadership experience, etc.).

I always advise potential applicants to just go for it. The first step in getting into your dream program is to lodge an application.