Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholar, Laide Rasaki from Nigeria, Shares the Story of How He Secured the Fully Funded emPLANT+ Scholarship to Pursue His Master’s in Plant Breeding and Genomics in Hungary and Austria

My name is Laide Rasaki, and I have a background in Agricultural Science and am currently earning a degree in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics. Eager to become an animal breeder, I interned with the International Livestock Research Institute in Nigeria, where I rotated with the forage breeding unit to assist in establishing forage fields. During this period, I witnessed firsthand the significant impact of unstable environmental conditions on forage establishment, which fueled my passion for plant breeding and genomics. I am now conducting research in computational biology and the development of genetic resources for crop improvement.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Details

I was awarded the prestigious emPLANT+ program, an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree in Plant Breeding, a two-year international program of excellence offered by a consortium of six leading European universities. The program's core objective is to train highly skilled plant breeders to address the global challenges of population growth and climate change by improving crop yield, quality, and resilience. I studied at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) and the University of Natural Resources and Life Science (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria. The scholarship covers full tuition and participation fees, a monthly living allowance, and a contribution to travel and installation costs.

Educational Background

Well, I earned my first degree in agricultural science with a major in animal nutrition, graduating with a CGPA of 4.75/5.00. I was preparing to pursue a degree in animal nutrigenomics, which led me to learn about genomics and its application to animals. The training I received after graduation and during internships really prepared me for the scholarship.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Institutions?

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Institutions?

I spent a lot of time on the internet and joined some scholarship forums. I learned about the scholarship I was awarded by discussing it with my friend, and I took time to understand the requirements and gather my documents.

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

Because my first degree was taught in English, I did not have to take the standardized English test; however, I provided proof of English proficiency from my university.

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

After studying the program requirements, I took my time to understand them and check what I had and what I needed. Mind you, I started checking like 6 months before the application start date, which gave me time to improve my profile through internships and specific certifications. After understanding all the requirements and gathering the required documents, I began writing my essays and later submitted them to other scholars for review. My essays were reviewed by about 4-5 scholars. Then I submitted. After the first stage of selection, I was scheduled for an interview, and before the date, I had several mock interviews to make sure I understood what the program was all about and what I wanted from my career.

How is (was) Your Experience at the Institutions?

Great universities, facilities, and teachers. Overall, my experience at both universities was fantastic.

How Do the Institutions Support International Students?

For both schools, international students were treated very specially and with great consideration in everything.

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

All my classes were taught in the English language

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I didn’t have the experience because I switched from Animal Science to Plant Breeding. I think my proposed research focus and the reasons I wanted to pursue it caught the panel's attention. Also, I had an internship with an international organization, which could have been a plus.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Nothing much, I would say, getting the requisite skillsets and experience, and writing my essays with more focus and assertion.

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

Put your best foot out. Don’t include things you cannot defend, and always adhere to the application instructions throughout the application process.