Accra, Aug. 16, GNA - Twenty Ghanaians have been awarded the European Union (EU) Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to study various masters disciplines across Europe.

Erasmus Mundus, which has a budget of 230 million Euros for 2004-2008, consists of four programmes that include support for high-quality European Masters programmes, prestigious scholarships, support projects to improve accessibility and visibility of higher education in Europe and partnership between European Universities and institutions in Third World countries.

It is expected that between 2005 and 2008, 100 partnership programmes would be supported and 4,000 graduates plus 1000 scholars provided with grant facilities.

Acting Head of the European Union Delegation in Ghana, Mr. Dick Naezer, who announced the winners said 11 Ghanaians were awarded the scholarship in the 2006/2007 academic year while 21 students received the awards for the 2007/2008 academic year.

"All selected students are awarded scholarship of 21,000 Euros per academic year. The maximum scholarship for the two years is 42,000 Euros and (it is for) one of the 80 Masters courses selected under one of the programmes," he said.

Mr. Naezer said all the scholarships covered insurance against risks related to health, accident, death, permanent invalidity and civil responsibility.

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship scheme instituted by the EU and named after Erasmus of Rotterdam, a renowned medieval scholar and humanist, was launched in 2004 to provide grants to students worldwide to undertake post-graduate programmes across Europe. Those who have been offered the scholarship are: Douglas Kusi Appiah, Lawrence Kyei Asante, Emmanuel Fianu, Habibu Issah, Nana Amponsah Kyeremanteng, Halidu Musah, Emmanuel Nyade, Justice Odoiquaye Odi, Anthoney Wemakor and Christopher Adenyo.

The rest are Teye Adjetey, Cornelius Amponsah, Dickson Amugi, James Anyan, James Ayarik, Eric Boamah, James Nyomekwa Obimpeh, Frank Obiri-Nyarko, Eric Okyere and Emmanuel Quansah.