EU to hold education fair in Makati

MANILA, Philippines—Thinking about pursuing higher education in Europe? Find out more about available opportunities in a fair dubbed “Brighter Prospects” to be held Wednesday in Makati City.

To be facilitated by the European Union and Philippine officials, the fair will be participated by 22 higher education institutions from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It will be open to the public from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

Led by Sheila Balbutin, vice-president of the Erasmus Mundus Association – South East Asia chapter, over 20 alumni from Erasmus Mundus’ scholarship and mobility program who excelled in various disciplines, will also grace the event.

Moreover, Ambassador Guy Ledoux will be joined by Ambassadors Wilhelm Donko (Austria), Luca Fornari (Italy), Toon Boon von Ochssée (Netherlands), Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. Mr Ignacio Perez Cambra (Spain)  and Ms Amanda Burrell, Director, British Council (United Kingdom).

EU Member State Ambassadors, EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, and Education Secretary Armin Luistro will open the fair, joined by Ambassadors Wilhelm Donko (Austria), Luca Fornari (Italy), Toon Boon von Ochssée (Netherlands), Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. Mr Ignacio Perez Cambra (Spain) and Amanda Burrell, director of the British Council (United Kingdom).

“The conduct of the fair is another milestone in pursuing further the collaboration on higher education and research between the Philippines and the European Union,” Ambassador Ledoux said, adding that this year’s event is considered as an “affirmation” of European Union’s commitment in giving priority to higher education amid challenge of globalization.

The activity, he added, will also enable students from third world countries to “get wider and best access to education opportunities.”

The fair marks the 25 years of the European Union’s Erasmus Scholarship and Mobility Programmes and will provide a platform for dialogue and exchange of best practices between Philippine and EU universities and higher education institutions.

Fernando Zapico, Education Adviser of the Spanish Embassy, Dr. Suzette Lina of Visayas State University, Dr. Armand Salvador Mijare of the University of the Philippines, Glenn de Leon of the Ateneo de Manila University, and Mylene Villegas, will discuss EU’s education systems, as well as learning experiences from the partnership opportunities under the Erasmus Mundus Programme, and other bilateral co-operation in higher education.

Maria Cristina Morrica of the Philippine-Italian Association, on the other hand, will provide the synthesis of the symposium to be moderated by Dr. Julian Vassallo of the EU Delegation to the Philippines.

EHEF Manila 2012 is made possible with the assistance of EU Member States’ Embassies and Cultural Institutes in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education. Media partners for this year include INQUIRER.net.

The First European Higher Education Fair was successfully held in the Philippines in February 2008.

Further information: eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines or FB pages: EU Delegation to the Philippines and EHEF Manila 2012.