Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has unveiled the Education Philippines (EduPhil) Program, aiming to position the Philippines as a prime destination for international students pursuing higher education, research, and training. Executive Order (EO) No. 124, signed by Marcos on September 8, designates the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as the lead agency for the program, intended to enhance the nation's competitiveness as a hub for higher education and academic exchange.
According to Philippines News Agency, EO No. 124 underscores the growing significance of international education as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, cultural diplomacy, human capital development, and international cooperation. The order establishes a 'modern, coordinated, and digitally enabled' framework to streamline government services related to international education, keeping pace with digital governance and regional integration trends.
The EduPhil Program aims to foster academic cooperation, research collaboration, innovation partnerships, and global engagement among Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs), making the country more attractive to international students. It also simplifies the processes for student visas and authorizations, facilitating the entry and stay of international students.
EO No. 124 reconfigures the Inter-Agency Committee on Foreign Students (IACFS), originally formed in 2000, into the EduPhil Task Force. This task force will serve as the central coordinating body for promoting and developing international student education in HEIs. CHED will chair the task force, with the Department of Foreign Affairs as vice chair, and include members from various governmental departments and agencies.
The EduPhil Task Force is tasked with creating policies and strategic direction for the EduPhil Program, including developing a five-year international education promotion strategy and the EduPhil Portal. This portal will be a 'secure, interoperable' digital platform for managing international student documentation and agency coordination.
The task force may propose legislative and administrative measures to enhance visa processing and related services for international students and suggest policies for reciprocal recognition of academic qualifications with foreign jurisdictions. An annual report will be submitted to the President via the CHED Chairperson.
EO No. 124 mandates a government-wide approach in supporting international student education in HEIs, requiring full cooperation from all relevant agencies. Initial funding will come from the current appropriations of CHED and other agencies, with future funding included in their budget proposals.
The order takes immediate effect following its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
