President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has established the Education Philippines (EduPhil) Program to promote the Philippines as a preferred destination for international students seeking higher education, research, and training in the country’s higher education institutions.
This was contained in Executive Order 124 signed by Marcos on September.
In the executive issuance, the government recognized the increasing importance of international education as a driver of economic growth, innovation, cultural diplomacy, human capital development, and international cooperation.
By further streamlining the delivery of government services relating to international education, the country could strengthen its competitiveness as a destination for higher education, research, and academic exchange, the directive said.
The EduPhil will promote Philippine higher education internationally by advancing academic cooperation, research collaboration, innovation partnerships, and facilitating the entry, stay, and education of international students in the Philippines.
It also seeks to support Philippine higher education institutions in attracting and serving international students and facilitating initiatives consistent with the objectives of the EduPhil Program.
The Commission on Higher Education shall serve as the lead implementing agency of the EduPhil Program and as its secretariat.
The directive also created the EduPhil Task Force, which shall serve as the principal inter-agency coordinating body for the promotion, facilitation, and development of the education of international students in Philippine higher education institutions.
The EduPhil Portal will also be established to facilitate and streamline the delivery of government services relating to the education of international students in the Philippines.
The CHED shall oversee and ensure the effective implementation of the EduPhil Program and is mandated by the order to evaluate its implementation.