DESPITE challenges posed by the pandemic, education remains an essential and fundamental element in everyone’s way of life.
According to European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, education is the basis of equality and freedom and the best uplifting social tool: “This is the reason the issue of education in the time of the pandemic is central to the future of the world. People-to-people is one of the axes of the EU engagement with the Philippines.”
The first-ever virtual European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2020 on October 2 and 3 has proven that quality education is still a top priority for students and educators alike.
With the theme “Study in Europe: The Future is EUrs,” the online staging of the education showcase gathered 8,000 registered student participants who attended 29 webinars from 93 universities and 12 member-states.
EHEF 2020 provided, for the first time, an online platform for aspiring local students who dream of studying in the EU.
Delegation of the EU to the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Thomas Wiersing opened the event with an inspiring message, reminding Filipino students that EU universities have a long history of quality higher education because of creativity, innovation and cutting-edge technology. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Aldrin Darilag also told participants that the pursuit of quality higher education paves the way toward a better future.
Also present were ambassadors and representatives from the participating EU member-states: Ambassador of Belgium Michel Goffin, Ambassador of France Nicholas Galey, Ambassador of the Netherlands Saskia de Lang, Embassy of Czech Republic’s Deputy Head of Mission Jana Peterkova, Embassy of Hungary’s Deputy Head of Mission David Ambrus, Embassy of Germany’s First Secretary for Cultural Affairs Kai Tomzig, Embassy of Spain’s First Secretary Luis Morales, Philippine Italian Association General Manager Alessandro Milani, Advantage Austria Commercial Counsellor Christina Stieber and Embassy of Sweden’s Communications Officer Athena Cartagena.
Aside from country presentations, the virtual fair also featured webinar sessions that closer interaction between participants and their chosen European schools. Virtual meeting rooms were also set up between EU higher education institutions and their local counterparts, which provided more opportunities for linkages and partnerships.
The two-day fair also recorded a first, as institutions were engaged as partners. Wesleyan University for Luzon, Silliman University for the Visayas, and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan for Mindanao hosted clustered presentations for interested students and educators alike in their respective regions. Other university-partners included De La Salle University, Rizal Technological University, Mindanao State University, Mabalacat City College, St. Louis University-Baguio, Tarlac Agricultural University, Ateneo de Davao, Notre Dame-Tacurong College, Cebu Technological University and University of The Cordilleras.
Notable EU alumni, goodwill ambassadors, and Erasmus+ scholars also provided testimonials and tips about studying and living in the said region.
EHEF 2020 was organized by the Delegation of the EU to the Philippines, together with the bloc’s member-states’ embassies, in partnership with CHED, and supported by BusinessMirror–Envoys&Expats as well as other media partners.