IN an effort to sustain the promotion of the Philippines as an excellent and cost-effective “Study Abroad” destination, the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) will lead an Outbound Business Matching Mission (OBMM) to showcase education services in Indonesia during the World Education Expo Indonesia 2017 (WEEI) scheduled from September 12 to 17, at the Jakarta Convention Center. The delegation will be composed of representatives from leading
Philippine universities and accredited institutions.
The WEEI, a platform dedicated for students to find the right education in distinguished overseas institutions across the region and the world, is Indonesia’s biggest annual education expo. Likewise, it’s the country’s most universal education exhibition with institutions from over 20 countries participating. The event guarantees an audience of more than 10,000 students from over 150 national high schools and universities across four cities in Indonesia.
“The Philippine education sector has much to offer to the Indonesian market and would bode well to strengthen the Philippines’s bilateral relations with Indonesia aside from maximizing the opportunities from the free-trade agreements and the Asean market integration,” DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen M. Perlada said.
The OBMM, as part of the government’s agenda to explore opportunities brought about by regional and preferential trading agreements, aims to expand market access within existing and new trade partners, specifically on education service exports. It will highlight Philippine education offerings in both formal and vocational courses
With Indonesia’s population of 250 million, it offers a lot of opportunities for Philippine education institutions to tap. Yearly, tens of thousands of Indonesian students choose to study abroad. The number continues to rise alongside a growing middle class. The interest has largely been made possible as students continue to become more fluent in English and other secondary languages. Given this, demand for better education and a good learning environment are the opportunities that the Philippines can take advantage of through this education expo.
The Philippine participation in the WEEI will also highlight the visit in Indonesian schools where a venue will be provided for students’ career orientation. Additionally, conduct of pre-arranged one-to-one business matching meetings with Indonesian education institutions, consultants, students, parents and other interested parties planning to form joint venture agreements, franchising and other forms of collaboration with the participating Philippine institutions will take place during the duration of the mission.
The Philippine education showcase banks on the country’s reputation as an excellent choice for foreign students considering the Philippine schools’ quality courses, affordable tuition and cost of living, and a destination with cultural similarities within the region. English, as its primary medium of instruction, along with its inherent multicultural learning environment atmosphere with blended mix of fun and enjoyable stay in the country, is an advantage, as well.
This initiative of DTI-EMB is supported by the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines and the Commercial Section of the Embassy.