By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has established the Education Philippines (EduPhil) Program to promote the country as a preferred destination for international students seeking higher education, research, and training in higher education institutions (HEIs).
Under Executive Order (EO) No. 124 signed by Marcos on Sept. 8, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will serve as the lead implementing agency of the EduPhil Program, which serves as the national program to strengthen the country’s competitiveness as a hub for higher education, research, and academic exchange.
The EO was issued in view of the growing importance of international education as a “driver of economic growth, innovation, cultural diplomacy, human capital development, and international cooperation.
EO No. 124 calls for a “modern, coordinated, and digitally enabled” whole-of-government framework to streamline the delivery of government services related to international education amid the rapid evolution of digital governance and regional integration.
Under the EO, the EduPhil Program will advance academic cooperation, research collaboration, innovation partnerships, knowledge exchange, and global engagement among Philippine HEIs to attract international students.
The program will also facilitate the entry, stay, and education of international students in the country, including the efficient processing of student visas and related authorizations.
EO No. 124 also reconstitutes the Inter-Agency Committee on Foreign Students (IACFS), which was formed in 2000 through EO No. 285.
The IACFS will now be known as the EduPhil Task Force, which will serve as the principal inter-agency coordinating body for the promotion, facilitation, and development of the education of international students in HEIs.
CHED will serve as the chair of the task force, while the Department of Foreign Affairs will be the vice chair.
Members include the Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of Tourism, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the Professional Regulation Commission.
The task force may invite representatives from national government agencies, academic and research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to participate in its meetings as observers, resource speakers, or technical advisers.
The EduPhil Task Force is mandated to formulate policies and provide strategic direction for the implementation of the EduPhil Program, as well as develop and oversee the implementation of a five-year international education promotion strategy and the EduPhil Portal.
According to the EO, the EduPhil Portal will be a “secure, interoperable” digital platform that will serve as a unified point for international student documentation, institutional endorsement tracking, and inter-agency referral.
The task force may also recommend legislative, administrative, and other measures to streamline visa processing and related government services for international students.
It may also suggest policies and initiatives to facilitate the reciprocal recognition of academic degrees, qualifications, and credentials between the Philippines and foreign jurisdictions.
The task force is directed to submit an annual report to the President, through the CHED Chairperson.
EO No. 124 mandates a whole-of-government approach in promoting and facilitating the education of international students in HEIs, directing all relevant agencies to provide full support and assistance.
The initial funding for the implementation of the order will come from the current and available appropriations of the CHED and other concerned agencies.
The funding requirements needed for the continued implementation of EO No. 124 will be included in the budget proposals of the CHED and other concerned agencies.
EO No. 124, which was made public on Thursday, takes effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
