European Higher Education Fair 2015
Not many Filipinos are aware that there are vast learning and teaching opportunities being offered by the European Union community. Thus, the upcoming European Higher Education Fair 2015 scheduled on 7 November from 12:30 to 6:00 pm at Dusit Thani Hotel is a timely chance to know more. This interesting fair is back this year with the theme: “Quality. Mobility. Innovation.”
European Higher Education Fair 2015
The Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, together with the EU Member States’ Embassies and Cultural Institutes, in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education, has prepared the European Higher Education Fair 2015. This is to make Filipino students aware of the endless opportunities offered by European universities. These comprise of higher education programmes in the European Union which is known to be one of the best higher education destinations in the world today, as shared by Mr. Mattias Lentz, Chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, during a press briefing. He further shared that “The European Union can offer the excellent mix of diversity and quality of higher education institutions as it tries to harmonize the wisdom of the past and the charm and cutting-edge technology of today’s seats of learning”.
Representatives of European universities will be present during the fair so that Filipino students who are interested in the offered programmes can get immediate and direct answers for their queries. The five biggest EU Cultural Institutes – Goethe-Institut Philippinen, Alliance Francaise de Manille, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, Instituto Dante Alighieri, and the Philippine Italian Association will likewise have their respective booths in the fair, since language proficiency is very vital when studying abroad. A total of 27 European Higher Education Institutions from 12 European Union Member States will be participating. Admission to the fair is free. One can either pre-register at EHEFPhilippines.org or walk in during the Fair proper at the hotel venue.
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport for the period 2014-2020. Scholarships are being offered to students and doctoral candidates. EU-funded scholarships cover the participation costs, travel to Europe, a living allowance and insurance.
It is also possible that the local higher education institution you are attending may have cooperation agreements with European universities under Erasmus+. If this is the case, it is possible to apply for a grant for short term credit mobility where students can spend part of their study period at a partner institution which will be fully recognized. This arrangement works both ways whether it is Filipino students studying abroad or European students coming to study at local universities.
My Say
One interesting question that came up during the press briefing was whether this learning opportunity is only open to students from the recognized top universities in the country. This query got an interesting answer. The organizers of the fair made it clear that there is no such limitation but admits to the fact that most existing participants come from these schools. This is the very reason why they wish to make this studying opportunity known to everybody.
We miss many opportunities in life by not knowing what is available to us. Once we know and still fail to act on it. it all boils down to our personal responsibility and determination. If I had known of such opportunities during my younger days, I would have taken it. So to the students out there, don’t miss the European Higher Education Fair 2015. It can open up more opportunities that you can ever imagine.
What Happened During the European Higher Education Fair 2015
The European Higher Education Fair 2105 has attracted a total of 2,423 students, researchers and academicians which was more than last year’s figure of 1,746. Participating universities included: (Belgium) – University of Antwerp; (Czech Republic) – Masaryk University, Mendel Uniersity; (Denmark) – Zealand Institute of Business and Technology; (France) – Cordon bleu, KEDGE Business School, Montepellier Business School, Network “n+1”; (Germany) – WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management; (Hungary) – Central European University; (Ireland) – University College Cork; (Italy) – Accademia di Belle Arti L.A.B.A., Istituto Marangoni, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; (The Netherlands) – IHS – Erasmus University; International Institute of Social Studies; TIAS School for Business and Society; (Spain) – IE Business School, SENAI, UCAM Universidad Catolica; San Antonioi de Murcia; (Sweden) – KTH Royal Insitute of Technology; (United Kingdom) – Astrum Education, BPP University; HUlt International Business School, Queen Mary University of London, University of Sunderland, University of West London.
From left : Ambassador Jan Top Christensen (Denmark). Ms. Antonella Giorgio (European Commission), Mr Nick Thomas (British Council), Ambassador Luis Calvo (Spain), Mr Fabio Schina (Italy), Mr Gottfried Thorsten (Germany), Mr Xavier Leblanc (Belgium), Dr. Minella Alarcon (CHED), Ambassador Marion Derckx (Netherlands), Mr Mattias Lentz, CDA (European Union), Mr Jakub Cerny (Czech Republic), Mr Jules Leconte (France), Ms Kate Alyzon Ramil (Country Representative, EMA) join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the European Higher Education Fair 2015. The Fair has attracted 2,423 participants from the academia.
