Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Scholar Syed Muhammad Abubakar from Pakistan Shares His Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the University of Genoa, Italy

Hello, I am Syed Muhammad Abubakar. I am passionate about building intelligent and sustainable systems that create real-world impact. Currently, I am pursuing the Systems of Systems Engineering track within the European Master's in Sustainable Systems Engineering (EMSSE) program. My academic journey has taken me across multiple countries. I have studied in France and Albania, and I will complete my final year in Italy at the University of Genoa.

Growing up in Pakistan and transitioning into a multi-country academic environment has shaped not only my technical perspective but also my ability to adapt, communicate, and thrive across cultures.

Educational Background

Before beginning my Erasmus journey, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from NUST, Islamabad. During this time, I explored diverse areas within engineering and gained early exposure to research, working on projects that combined machine learning with real-world applications.

After graduation, I joined a tech company as a Machine Learning Engineer, where I worked on real-world AI systems ranging from generative audio models to medical imaging pipelines. Around the same time, I applied to multiple international opportunities, often facing intense competition and uncertainty.

A key turning point came when I was selected as the only candidate from Pakistan out of more than 15,000 applicants for the METI Government of Japan Internship. This experience exposed me to a completely new professional and cultural environment, pushing me beyond my comfort zone and strengthening my confidence in working globally.

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

My preparation for Erasmus Mundus was shaped by persistence and continuous self-improvement. Over multiple application cycles, I refined my CV and motivation letter repeatedly, learning how to present my experiences more effectively and align them with my long-term goals.

More importantly, I focused on building meaningful experiences rather than just listing achievements. I actively pursued opportunities in research, industry, and international programs, which gradually strengthened my profile.

There were moments of rejection and doubt, but each application helped me understand what was missing and how to improve. The METI internship and my experience as a Machine Learning Engineer became defining factors that allowed me to stand out among a highly competitive global applicant pool.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

During this journey, I applied to several competitive programs and was fortunate to receive multiple offers, including:

• A fully funded Graduate Research Fellowship at the University of Manitoba
• Admission to TU Hamburg in Information and Communication Systems
• Admission to Boston University with a $20,000 scholarship
• Admission to Arizona State University with partial funding
• Admission to Queen Mary University of London with a scholarship

Despite these opportunities, I chose Erasmus Mundus because it offered something unique: the ability to study across multiple countries while focusing entirely on my education without financial constraints. The interdisciplinary nature of EMSSE and its emphasis on sustainability and systems thinking aligned perfectly with my long-term vision.

Could You Briefly Discuss the Erasmus Mundus Program You Pursued and the Specific Field of Study It Focused On?

The EMSSE program is a two-year integrated master’s degree that brings together leading European institutions across France, Italy, Spain, and Albania. It focuses on Sustainable Systems Engineering, emphasizing the design of systems that are efficient, environmentally responsible, and economically viable.

The program offers multiple specialization tracks, and I am currently pursuing the Systems of Systems Engineering (SoSE) path at the University of Genoa. This track focuses on designing and managing complex interconnected systems, which aligns closely with my background in machine learning and large-scale systems development.

What Did You Pursue After the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

Looking ahead, I aim to work at the intersection of systems engineering and intelligent technologies to build scalable, sustainable solutions that address real-world challenges.

How Did the Cost of Living Vary Across the Countries You Studied In? Which Country Was the Most Affordable or Expensive, and How Did You Manage Financially?

The cost of living varies significantly between countries. France was quite expensive, especially due to my proximity to Paris, whereas Albania is much more affordable. Fortunately, the Erasmus Mundus scholarship has been more than sufficient to cover my expenses, so I have not faced any financial difficulties.

Did You Face Any Language Barriers, and if So, How Did You Overcome Them? Did the Language of Instruction Change from One Country to Another?

One of the most transformative aspects of this journey has been adapting to life in different countries. Moving from Pakistan to Japan, and then to Europe, exposed me to diverse cultures, academic systems, and ways of thinking.

However, this transition was not always easy. In France, language barriers made even simple daily interactions challenging. There were moments when communication felt like an obstacle, and adapting to a new environment required constant effort. Instead of avoiding the challenge, I chose to confront it by learning French and actively engaging with the local culture.

Currently, while studying in Albania, I continue to learn new languages and cultures, further strengthening my ability to integrate into global environments.

Would You Recommend the Erasmus Mundus Program to Others? What Advice Would You Give to Someone Considering This Scholarship?

Without hesitation, yes. The Erasmus Mundus program is truly life-changing. It offers not just academic excellence but also a level of cultural and personal exposure that is difficult to find elsewhere.

For prospective applicants, my advice is simple: remain persistent and focus on continuous improvement. Opportunities like this are highly competitive, but with the right mindset and effort, they are achievable.

For current scholars, I would emphasize making the most of every experience because the value of this program goes far beyond the classroom.

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

I am still in the program while writing this, but I can confidently say that this journey has already been transformative. From working across continents to building meaningful connections with people from around the world, I feel that I am experiencing some of the most impactful moments of my life. Each step has contributed to who I am today.

If I were to look back, I wouldn’t change anything. Every challenge, uncertainty, and achievement has played a role in shaping my journey, and that is something I take great pride in.