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.

The Fair will be held onsite from September 30 to October 1 at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City, with its online edition being held on October 2 at ehefphilippines.com and through the FB page of the European Higher Education Fair at @ehefphilippines. 

The biggest and longest-running education fair in the country, EHEF offers a unique opportunity for Filipino students, professionals, academe, researchers, and university officials to engage directly with some of the top higher education institutions from the EU. 

Recognizing that education knows no geographical boundaries, this year’s theme “Pathways to Excellence” shows EU’s commitment to offering Filipino students an immersive platform to explore diverse fields of study and unlock unparalleled opportunities on a global scale.

In his welcome message to prospective participants, EU Ambassador H.E. Luc Véron said “The European Higher Education Fair reflects the EU’s commitment to providing a diverse array of opportunities, resources, and insights for Filipino students interested in pursuing their higher education in the European Union.” “Our theme ‘Pathways to Excellence’ acknowledges the need for higher education to adapt to the demands of globalization and internationalization, and the quality and variety of the EU’s offer.”

EHEF 2023 will feature 85 higher education institutions and diplomatic missions participating on-ground and online from Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, and Sweden. 

Language corners will be available to those who are interested in learning a new language. On-site seminars will be hosted by the EU Member States’ Embassies and Cultural Institutes. These engaging sessions will provide in-depth information on higher education systems, “student life” in the EU, research grants, and scholarship opportunities like Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and Jean Monnet, open for students and educators alike. 

Online sessions on October 2 will be streamed and uploaded through EHEF Philippines Facebook Page. 

Registration and entrance to the fair are free of charge. Interested participants may visit ehefphilippines.com for more information or @EHEFPhilippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

This yearly fair is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, together with EU Member States’ Embassies, education services and institutes and in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education, and supported by professional organizations and media partners.

This year’s Philippine Regional Hubs include University of the Cordilleras (Luzon), Wesleyan University (Luzon), and Xavier University – CDO (Mindanao); and University Partners Ateneo de Manila University – European Studies Programme, De La Salle University – Manila, Holy Cross of Davao College, Lyceum Philippines University – Cavite, Mabalacat City College, University of Santo Tomas – Manila, and Visayas State University.  

EHEF 2023 also has the support of the following professional organizations: Mathematical Society of the Philippines, Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Communication Society, Physics Society of the Philippines, and The EdukCircle.  Media partners are Business World Spark Up, CNN Philippines, iOrbit News Central Luzon, Rank Magazine, Seawave Magazine, Subselfie, The Philbiz News, and When In Manila.