The bustling city of Manila at Night with the Philippine flag standing proud in front of Jose Rizal Monument in Roxas Boulevard
Photo file/THEPHILBIZNEWS
Higher education institutions from the Philippines are all expressing their support for the first-ever virtual European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) on 2-3 October 2020 from 2PM to 8PM.
Fernando T. Aldaba, PhD., and dean of the School of Social Sciences at Ateneo de Manila University shared that ADMU is delighted to be one of the organizing partners of EHEF 2020. “Although circumstances have compelled us to be apart, events such as this serve as a venue for European and Philippine higher education institutions to establish long-lasting collaborations in terms of teaching, research, and outreach. We thank the organizers for their efforts in making this event a reality, and hope that all of the participants to EHEF 2020 will find it to be meaningful and informative.”
Ateneo’s European Studies Programme is part of a European Commission higher education project to promote awareness of the European Union in the Philippines and to develop a group of Filipino experts on EU affairs. To this day, the Programme continues to pool faculty with a wide range of expertise in Europe. It draws educators from various academic disciplines such as Economics, International Law, Languages, Political Science, Cultural Studies, Business, and History. The Programme is active in teaching and research on European affairs and has successfully obtained two prestigious and highly competitive Jean Monnet grants from the EU.
The link between Filipino students and the appeal of higher education in Europe can be traced back to the 1880s, when young Filipino students traveled to Europe for a taste of its academic freedom and libertarian culture. National hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, along with other ilustrados like Juan Luna and Marcelo H. del Pilar, honed their intellect and kindled their aspirations for liberty and equality under the auspices of European education.
More than a century later, the EU continues to beckon and inspire Filipino Students to pursue excellence and quality in higher education. Through EHEF, Philippine universities and higher education institutions have a chance to establish linkages and partnerships with their counterparts in the EU. It is also the best platform for students to find scholarship and mobility opportunities.
Taking advantage of modern technology, EHEF is also going regional this year. Judge Benjamin D. Turgano, President of the Wesleyan University Philippines, thanks the EU Delegation for choosing his university as one of the regional hubs that will co-host EHEF 2020. The other regional hubs are Silliman University for Visayas, and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan for Mindanao.
Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann, President of Silliman University in Dumaguete, believes that “higher education institutions across countries need to join hands in the task of building anew” amid the challenges of a post-pandemic world.
Father Mars P. Tan, SJ, President of Xavier University, says that EHEF is “an avenue for educational and research opportunities, cultural exchange, and international networking with European institutions. Xavier Ateneo is proud to partner with the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines in this worthwhile endeavor.”
Other partner universities of EHEF include De La Salle University, Rizal Technological University, Mindanao State University, Mabalacat City College, St Louis University Baguio, Tarlac Agricultural University, Ateneo de Davao, and Notre Dame – Tacurong College.
EHEF 2020 is organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, together with EU Member States’ Embassies in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and supported by media partners Business Mirror – Envoys & Expats, Business World Spark Up, Gadgets Magazine, Roots & Wings Online, Sub Selfie, The Philippine Business and News, and When in Manila.
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