The European Higher Education Fair Philippines 2023 received a total of 2,000 students, faculty, academicians, and researchers in the recently concluded gathering of universities from the European Union.
In addition, 3,600 participants logged in during the fair proper from September 30 to October 1 via ehefphilippines.com; Meanwhile, 1053 attended the online sessions on October 2. Partner school representatives, students, academicians, and professionals from all over the Philippines have attended the three-day fair to learn more about higher education in the EU.
The Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines together with the European Member States’ Embassies launched the event on September 30 and October 1 at the Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong, while online sessions took place on October 2, 2023.
This year’s theme for the Fair was “Pathways to Excellence” to highlight the diverse educational avenues in the European Union to equip Filipino students with the skills, knowledge, mindset, and life-changing experiences needed to thrive in a fast-evolving and ever-more interconnected global landscape.
EHEF 2023 was inaugurated by Chargé d’affaires a.i., of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, Dr. Ana Isabel Sánchez Ruiz, Chairman of Commission on Higher Education, Mr. Prospero de Vera, accompanied by the Ambassadors from the EU Member States’ Embassies: H. E. Juha Pyykko, (Finland), H.E. Michel Parys (Belgium), H.E. Annika Thunborg, (Sweden), H.E. William Carlos (Ireland), H.E. Marielle Geraedts (The Netherlands), H.E. Johann Brieger (Austria), H.E. Miguel Utray (Spain), and Chargé d’affaires Mr. Jarosław Szczepankiewicz (Poland). The embassies of Italy, Hungary, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Austria were also represented for the launch. Operations Head of Shangri-La Plaza, Mr Johnny Rios, accompanied the diplomats.
A total of 85 higher education institutions and diplomatic missions from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, and Sweden participated in the higher education fair.
This year, the Fair was supported by regional hubs Wesleyan University, University of Cordilleras, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, university partners Ateneo de Manila University European Studies Programme, De La Salle University Manila, Holy Cross of Davao College, Mabalacat City Colleges, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines Diliman, Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite and Visayas State University.
The fair has also been a success with the support of professional organisations: Mathematical Society of the Philippines, Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Communication Society, Physics Society of the Philippines, and The EdukCircle; and media partners Business World Spark Up, CNN Philippines, iOrbit News Central Luzon, Rank Magazine, Seawave Magazine, Subselfie, ThePhilBizNews, and When In Manila.
Learning also came with fun during the fair. The attendees who participated in the games on-site were able to take home awesome EU merchandise and freebies.
Aside from meeting some of the institution representatives, those who were interested in learning a new language visited the language corners available at the venue provided by the Alliance Francaise de Manille, Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, and Philippine-Italian Association.
On-site seminars were hosted by the EU Member States’ Embassies and Cultural Institutes, where participants received answers to their questions on higher education systems, “student life” in the EU, research grants, and scholarship opportunities through programmes like Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and Jean Monnet.
