EU education fair opens scholarship pathways for Filipino students

MANILA — Filipino students seeking international education and scholarship opportunities will have access to more than 70 European universities, embassies, and education partners at the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2026 in Manila this November.

The event will bring together representatives from 13 European Union member states to help prospective students explore postgraduate programs, scholarships, admission requirements, and opportunities for academic and professional development abroad.

For Filipino students, particularly those facing financial barriers to overseas education, the fair provides an opportunity to compare academic programs, learn about available funding, and obtain information directly from European education institutions.

The initiative also supports efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ pool of highly skilled professionals, researchers, and educators through international academic exchanges and institutional partnerships.

Scheduled for Nov. 20 and 21 at the Midtown Atrium of Robinsons Manila, the fair will feature universities and education representatives from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Online sessions will follow from Nov. 23 to 25, extending access to students and professionals outside Metro Manila, including those in Western Visayas and other regions.

Representatives of the 13 EU countries presented their respective study opportunities during a press conference Oct. 28 at the Yuchengco Museum in RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Agata Nowicka, deputy head of mission of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, emphasized that overseas education offers benefits extending beyond academic qualifications.

“When students learn in another country, they gain more than academic knowledge. They encounter new ideas, experience different cultures, and develop an understanding that can strengthen cooperation long after their studies have ended,” she said.

The conference featured presentations on educational opportunities in participating countries, including those delivered by Czech Ambassador Karel Hejč and Romanian Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Gheorghe Anghel.

Other speakers included Mikaellah Grace Gómez of the Belgian Embassy, Pia Friedrich of the German Embassy, Erica Duffy of the Irish Embassy, Alberto J. Tello Moya of the Spanish Embassy, and Claire Chales of the French Embassy.

Representatives Andrea Mariani of Italy, Károly Domonkos of Hungary, Aileen Leoncio of Advantage Austria, Dragan Barbutovski of Slovenia, Annukka Poutanen of Finland, and Athena Cartagena of Sweden also presented study opportunities in their respective countries.

The presentations were followed by testimonials from Filipino scholarship alumni, a media question-and-answer session, and networking activities.

The education initiative comes as the Philippines and the EU expand cooperation under their Enhanced Partnership, launched July 24, 2026.

The agreement strengthens collaboration in several areas, including education, research, academic exchanges, and people-to-people relations.

It also supports closer institutional links between Philippine and European universities, creating opportunities for joint academic activities, student mobility, and faculty exchanges.

The partnership builds on existing EU scholarship and education programs that have enabled hundreds of Filipinos to pursue advanced studies in Europe.

Between 2021 and 2025, 364 Filipino students received Erasmus Mundus scholarships to undertake joint master’s degree programs at European universities.

Another 85 Filipino students were accepted into the Erasmus+ program in 2026, reflecting continued participation in European academic mobility opportunities.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programs are delivered by partnerships of higher education institutions in different countries, allowing students to undertake advanced studies across multiple universities.

According to the European Commission, full scholarships are available to qualified applicants and can cover participation costs while providing support for travel, visas, and living expenses.

The availability of such funding is particularly important for students who may have the academic qualifications to study abroad but lack the financial resources to shoulder tuition and living expenses.

Applicants must still meet the eligibility and admission requirements of their chosen programs, with scholarship awards subject to competitive selection.

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The fair will also highlight the experiences of Filipino graduates who have benefited from European education programs.

Among them are Jan Carlo Castro and Jessica Isabelle Badua, both EHEF goodwill ambassadors, who shared their experiences of studying abroad during the Oct. 28 press conference.

Castro recounted pursuing studies in Portugal, Ireland, Poland, and Austria, as well as completing an internship in the Netherlands.

“The thing about Erasmus is that at the end of it, you’re never the same afterward,” he said.

Their experiences illustrate how international education can expose Filipino students to different academic systems, professional environments, and cultures.

Beyond obtaining postgraduate qualifications, such opportunities can help participants develop international networks and skills that may support their future careers and contributions to Philippine institutions.

EHEF 2026 will also showcase EU-supported education and research initiatives, including 28DIGITAL Master School, Erasmus+, and EURAXESS.

The 28DIGITAL Master School provides opportunities for advanced digital technology education, while EURAXESS supports researchers seeking information about research careers and mobility opportunities in Europe.

Prospective applicants can consult participating institutions about master’s and other postgraduate programs, tuition fees, admission procedures, scholarships, and living arrangements in European countries.

The discussions can help students identify suitable institutions and understand the financial and academic requirements before committing to overseas studies.

The event also provides opportunities for Philippine universities, researchers, and education professionals to explore potential partnerships with European institutions.

Organized under the theme “EU: Pathways to Excellence. Building the Future,” the fair underscores the continuing role of education in strengthening relations between the Philippines and Europe.

For students outside the capital, the online component offers another avenue to obtain information about international education opportunities without traveling to Manila.

As demand grows for advanced qualifications and globally competitive skills, the fair seeks to make European study opportunities more accessible to Filipinos while encouraging stronger academic cooperation between the two regions.