On 1 July 2026, the amphitheatre of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of São Tomé and Príncipe hosted an Erasmus+ Information Session of great relevance to the country's higher education sector. The event brought together academics, researchers, and institutional representatives around a shared goal: strengthening international cooperation and opening new pathways for development.
© Image ENFPs/PRACSIS
Organised with the support of the Directorate of Higher Education and Science, the session reaffirmed the growing importance of Erasmus+ for São Tomé and Príncipe, a Lusophone country seeking to expand its participation in international academic and research networks.
It also reflected the commitment of the National Erasmus+ Focal Point (ENFP), Allycinilde Nazaré de Carvalho, to actively promote funding opportunities and support institutions in preparing stronger, more competitive project proposals.
The institutional opening was led by Dr Paula Medina Fernandes, representing the Delegation of the European Union, and Dr Nelson Fernandes, on behalf of the Directorate of Higher Education and Science and representing the Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Higher Education. Their remarks underlined the strategic role of Erasmus+ in academic modernisation, skills development, and the consolidation of partnerships with Europe.
Soon afterwards, Allycinilde Rompão presented an overview of the country's participation in Erasmus+ between 2021 and 2025. Her presentation offered a clear and encouraging picture of national engagement in the programme and helped set the stage for the opportunities ahead. It also encouraged participants to think more concretely about how their institutions could benefit from future calls.
The session on Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), introduced by Helena Fernandez, National Focal Point for Angola, highlighted the value of regional cooperation within the Erasmus+ network.
To illustrate the practical impact of these partnerships, several successful projects were presented, including Cultivar, introduced by its coordinator, Dr Sónia Bombico, and project manager, Dr Keitty de Oliveira; TecBioFood, presented locally by Prof. Lusibetty Trigueiros; and +Coesão, presented by Dr Ana Paula Vale, Vice-President of the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo.
These project experiences demonstrated how Erasmus+ can generate tangible results through collaborative work, capacity building, and knowledge exchange. They also provided participants with valuable examples of how institutions in Lusophone contexts can build strong consortia and respond effectively to programme priorities.
The networking continued during the coffee break, when participants exchanged ideas, shared contact details, and strengthened informal links for future cooperation. The atmosphere reflected a strong sense of community and a shared commitment to turning the session into a starting point for new initiatives.
After the break, the session turned to International Credit Mobility (ICM), presented by Nelson Martins, National Focal Point for Cape Verde. This segment added a particularly human dimension to the event through the testimonies of Prof. Gilson Rita and Fábio Soares Tandú, who described how their participation as ICM beneficiaries broadened their academic and professional perspectives. Their accounts illustrated the personal and institutional value of mobility in enriching the experiences of both faculty and students in São Tomé and Príncipe.
The programme then moved on to Erasmus Mundus master's scholarships, presented by Sérgio Pereira, National Focal Point for Mozambique. This presentation broadened the scope of the session by highlighting advanced study opportunities that support specialisation, international exposure, and academic excellence.
The recording of the Portuguese-language session delivered by Dr Jenny Elmaco, Academic Expert for the centralised support to ENFPs, including the presentation on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and other relevant tools, will be shared in a follow-up email. The session provides guidance on navigating the application process and accessing the tools needed for future proposal development. It is also available here: EU Funding and Tenders Portal.
The event concluded with a clear message: institutions in São Tomé and Príncipe have a genuine opportunity to play a more active and competitive role within the Erasmus+ cooperation framework. By raising awareness, strengthening partnerships, and preparing high-quality applications, the country can further expand its participation in international academic cooperation.
Useful links
ENFP Master Class public modules: https://lnkd.in/gUEjrDui
Erasmus+ Project Results: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects
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