Mehdi Hassan Milu

Beyond Borders: My IMATEC Erasmus Mundus Journey Across Europe!

My academic journey across Europe has been shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a passion for sustainability. I am currently pursuing the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree in Technology and Management for Circular Economy (IMATEC), which has allowed me to study in the Czech Republic, Spain, and Finland while collaborating with students and researchers from around the world.

One of the highlights of this journey was studying within the IMATEC Erasmus Mundus at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (UCT Prague), where I strengthened my understanding of sustainability, circular economy, and environmental technologies in a truly international environment.

 Currently, I am conducting my IMATEC Master's thesis research at Åbo Akademi University in Finland within a project funded by the Research Council of Finland. My research focuses on the direct conversion of methane into methanol using catalytic materials, contributing to more sustainable pathways for fuel and chemical production.

Beyond the classroom, I was always eager to gain international experience. During my studies in Spain, I completed an internship at COGERSA, a municipal waste management consortium in Asturias, gaining valuable insights into waste management and circular resource utilization. I later joined the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) in Lithuania through a Research Council of Lithuania-funded internship, working on environmental research involving pollutant adsorption and nanoplastics. I also participated in the ROoT Summer School at the University of Rostock, Germany, where I explored ocean technology, maritime robotics, and environmental monitoring.

Another memorable experience was participating in the European Student Assembly 2026 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, where as an IMATEC Student, I coordinated a panel alongside students from across Europe to develop and present policy recommendations on sustainability and the circular economy to the European Commission, contributing to discussions on Europe's sustainable future.

This international journey began several years earlier in Hungary, where I completed my Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Debrecen through the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme. My path to international education was not a conventional one. Before pursuing higher education abroad, I served as an officer in the Bangladesh Army. Following a major injury, I was forced to rethink my future and pursue a new direction. What initially seemed like a setback became the opportunity that led me toward higher education, research, and international collaboration across Europe.

As I prepare to complete my Erasmus Mundus studies, I am grateful for the experiences, friendships, and opportunities that have shaped me along the way. Each step has broadened my perspective and reinforced my belief in the power of education and international cooperation, preparing me for whatever the future may bring.

For anyone considering studying abroad, my advice is simple: be curious, embrace challenges, and never be afraid to take the first step.

Sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin when life takes you in an unexpected turn!