The Board

The Board is the executive decision-making body of the OCEANS Network and has a mandate of one year. It is currently composed of 7 members: the President, Vice-President, and 5 Heads of teams. The teams include International Coordinator, Projects, Community Development, Communications, Content Development. The working groups Communications and Content Development will work and coordinate closely together. For the different roles, please see here.

You can reach the whole board through:

board@oceans-network.eu

President

Samir Beharic

Germany

About:

Samir Beharic is the President of the OCEANS Network and a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Geographic Migration and Transition Studies at the University of Bamberg, Germany.

Samir received his bachelor's degree from the University of Sarajevo. During his bachelor studies, he went on an exchange at the Free University in Berlin as an Erasmus Mundus scholarship holder, at Ondokuz Mayıs University as a Mevlana exchange student, and at Sapienza University of Rome as an Erasmus+ scholarship holder. He obtained an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree in Global Studies from the University of Vienna and Leipzig University as a scholarship holder of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Samir served as a Lantos Congressional Fellow at the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C., and as a Schuman Trainee at the European Parliament in Brussels. He is fluent in Bosnian, English, and German.

Vice-President

Leila Benabdallah

Belgium

About:

Leïla Benabdallah is the Vice-President of OCEANS Network. French-Moroccan, currently living in Belgium, she studied International management of SMEs, marketing and social development. Following studies and professional experiences in France, Türkiye, UAE and UK, she joined, in 2018, the European Commission, at DG GROW (Internal market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs).

Engaging in various volunteering activities both locally and internationally, Leïla joined OCEANS with the aim of expanding Erasmus+ opportunities for young people worldwide. Her passion lies in fostering a more cohesive society, ensuring equal access to education for all, and advocating for youth participation, international mobility, and mutual understanding. Her involvement with the Network has further fueled her motivation to make a difference.

Head of Internal Affairs

Luan Monteiro

Brazil

About:

Journalist graduated from Universidade Paulista (UNIP) in Brazil, Luan did his Erasmus+ at Zagreb School of Business, in Croatia. Today, he works as editor-in-chief of one of the largest newspapers in Brazil, in addition to being Head of Internal Affairs at the OCEANS Network. Passionate about football and Vasco da Gama, he worked at both FIFA and Conmebol in the communications department of both.

Today, he aims to bring more internal communication and democracy within OCEANS. Always listening to members and discussing problems faced by the Organization, as well as other organizations in which it participated.

Head of Communications

Carlos Lino

Brazil

About:

Carlos Lino is a driven and enthusiastic person who is graduated in Business Administration and MBA in Controlling at Universidade Paulista (UNIP) in São Paulo, Brazil. He is passionate about academic internationalisation and is always looking for opportunities to broaden his horizons and learn from different cultures.

Carlos was fortunate to receive a scholarship through the Erasmus+ programme to study Marketing at Poslovno Veleuciliste Zagreb (Zagreb School of Business) in Croatia, where he gained valuable experience and knowledge. Also had the opportunity to study about the Spanish language and culture at Universidad de Salamanca.

He has several years of experience working as Financial Controller for multinational companies, where he has honed his analytical skills and made informed pricing decisions that have driven sales and revenue growth. Carlos is a quick learner, a strong communicator, and he has a track record of exceeding targets.

Carlos Lino is a dedicated and hardworking individual who is committed to achieving his goals and making a positive impact in the world. With his passion for academic internationalisation, his experience, and his positive attitude, he is confident that he can contribute to the success of the OCEANS Network.

Head of International Coordination

Mohammed Ashqar

Palestine

About:

Mohammed Ashqar is a Palestinian Computer Science student in his final year of a bachelor's degree at Al-Quds University, also known as the "University of Jerusalem." He is a board member of Al-Quds Tech Bootcamp and works as a network administrator and general manager at an internet service-providing company. In spring 2022, he participated in an exchange semester at Mälardalen University in Vasteras, Sweden through the Erasmus+ programme. The exchange semester was a life-changing experience for Mohammed, providing him with the chance to immerse himself into a new culture and expand his network of contacts.

He joined OCEANS Network as a member of the Communications Working Group. He then became a member of the International Coordination Group and was elected as the Head of the group in January 2023. Mohammed is a strong believer in the power of teamwork and is eager to help students and communities in any way he can. He is full of energy and is always looking for new opportunities to make a difference. When he is not studying or working, Mohammed enjoys sports, especially mountain biking, travelling, and meeting new people. He is a well-rounded individual with a passion for life and a commitment to making the world a better place.

Position:

Head of International Coordination

Head of Community Development

Ilhem Bendahmane

Algeria

About:

Ilhem is from Algeria, and holds a PhD in in Civilization and cultural studies from the University of Tlemcen, Algeria. Ilhem is an active and motivated person, who aspires to learn and become an inspiration for young leaders in her community. She works as a part-time teacher at the University of Tlemcen, Algeria. She is also a motivated researcher who dedicates her time to finding solutions for improving education for women and promoting equal educational opportunities. Ilhem did her Erasmus+ semester at the University of Murcia, Spain in 2021. This exchange opened many doors for her and helped her explore several other opportunities. Ever since then, she has focused on being active within the field of volunteerism and social activities.

Position:

Head of Community Development

Head of Projects

Yassine Zarouk

Morocco

About:

Yassine Zarouk holds the position of Head of the Project Activity Department within the OCEANS Network and serves as the National Representative for Morocco, engaging actively with the network since 2019.

His academic pursuits have led him to earn a Cotutelle PhD in Informatics Engineering from the University of Porto, and he currently contributes as a researcher in Educational Technology and a professor at the Ministry of National Education of Morocco.

Beyond his professional and academic roles, Yassine is the co-founder and president of the Erasmus Morocco Network, driven by a strong passion for international academic and cultural exchange, striving to enhance intercultural understanding and collaboration.

Get to know the previous Coordinating Boards