European Higher Education Fair 2017 attracts over 1,200 participants

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 1,267 participants – composed of students, faculty, academicians, and researchers – flocked to the Grand Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza for the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2017 on October 18.

The fair featured 24 higher education institutions from 10 European Union (EU) member states.

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen led the opening ceremonies and was joined by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Ronald Adamat, Shangri-La Corporation Vice President Lala Fojas, Ambassador Michel Goffin of Belgium, Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa of Czech Republic, Ambassador Jan Top Christensen of Denmark, Charge d’Affaires Mr. Laurent Legodec of Denmark, First Secretary for Cultural Mr. Thorsten Gottiried of Germany, Ambassador Jozsef Bencze of Hungary, Ambassador Marion Derckx of Netherlands, Ambassador Jose Luis Calvo of Spain, Charge d’Affiaires Mr. Lennart Jansson from the Embassy of Sweden.

EHEF Goodwill Ambassadors Monica Araneta, Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi, Noelle Hilario, Theresa Leung, Loralee Baron-Soong, Gab Holigores, and Erasmus scholar Maybel Nonato. Each representative was given a block to symbolize his or her commitment in encouraging Filipinos to pursue higher education in Europe.

“Studying in Europe allows one to get a different perspective, which can be incredibly useful especially for the youth,” said Ambassador Jessen. “You have a great need for well-educated, young Filipinos here. They can use the knowledge that they have obtained (in Europe) to develop your (the Philippines’) own economy,” he added.

“I would like to congratulate the European Commission, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines for organizing the 7th in a series of highly successful education fairs,” said CHED Commissioner Adamat. “We encourage everyone to make the most out of this opportunity, to get as much information from participating European Union universities and may this generate access and opportunity for building new friendships and increased academic linkages.”

During the fair, the participants were also treated to a series of lectures about the European education system and way of life from the participating EU member states. A special booth has also been designated to the EU's Erasmus+ Programme.

The Erasmus Programme is an EU-funded program to support projects, partnerships, events, and mobility in the areas of education, training, youth, and sports. It provides funding opportunities for cooperation in all these areas, both among European countries, and partner countries around the world.

The fair was organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines together with the EU Member States’ Embassies and Cultural Institutions in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 

1st Row (L-R): Lala Fojas, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Shangri-La Plaza; Theresa Leung, Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi, Maybel Nonato, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Ronald Adamat, Monica Araneta, and Loralee Baron-Soong . 2nd Row (L-R): Gab Holigores, Lennart Jansson, Charge d'Affaires, Embassy of Sweden; Thorsten Gottfried, First Secretary for Cultural of the German Embassy; H.E. Jozsef Bencze, Hungarian Ambassador; H.E. Franz Jessen, EU Delegation Ambassador. 3rd Row (L-R): H.E. Jose Luis Calvo, Spanish Ambassador; H.E. Michael Goffin, Belgian Ambassador; H.E. Jaroslav Olsa, Czech Ambassador; H.E Jan Top Christensen, Danish Ambassador

1st Row (L-R):

Lala Fojas, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sha

ngri-La Plaza; Theresa Leung,

Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi, Maybel Nonato, Commission on Higher Educa

tion (CHED)

Commissioner Ronald Adamat, Monica Araneta, and Loralee Ba

ron-Soong

2nd Row (L-R):

Gab Holigores, Lennart Jansson, Charge d'Affaires, Embassy o

f Sweden; Thorsten Gottfried

,

First Secretary for Cultural of the German Embassy; H.E. Jo

zsef Bencze, Hungarian Ambassador;

H.E. Franz Jessen, EU Delegation Ambassador

3rd Row (L-R):

H.E. Jose Luis Calvo, Spanish Ambassador; H.E. Michael Goffin, Be

lgian Ambassador; H.E.

Jaroslav Olsa, Czech Ambassador; H.E Jan Top Christensen,

Danish Ambassador