RP eyes new export niche for education services in China

The Philippines is eyeing new export niches through education services in China, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, said in a report.

"The strong demand for education services in countries like China has encouraged our local players to venture into this new market," said Trade Assistant Secretary and CITEM executive director Fe Agoncillo-Reyes.

As part of the country’s efforts to globalize its education and training services, the Philippines joined the China Education Expo, China’s biggest education fair held in Beijing last October.

Philippine delegates met with members of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) for possible tie-ups with Chinese universities.

Wu Zaofeng, secretary general of CEAIE, has in fact, proposed a possible partnership with the Philippine Women’s University similar with China’s ongoing linkage with countries like the United States, United Kingdom and France.

Analysts forecast that the global demand for international higher education will exceed seven million students by 2025, with 70 percent of this future influx dominated by Asia.

There are reportedly up to five million young Chinese eager to pursue education outside their home country.

Many Chinese have opened up to English language education and foreign exchange programs in preparation for its membership in the World Trade Organization and the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

A total of 24,000 visitors attended the education expo.

Attendees surveyed revealed that for the Chinese, the primary consideration when choosing a university abroad is education environment and quality (58 percent), followed by cost (31 percent), and then language (11 percent).

In choosing one university over the other, respondents’ preference depends on the following: university ranking (40 percent), curriculum (38 percent), career prospects after graduation (31 percent) and cost (22 percent).

"Clearly, the Philippines could niche on programs such as nursing, medicine, and English language," said Agoncillo-Reyes.

"We see tremendous opportunities in China for our education programs as the Chinese continue to place high value on education and training. Notably, we find the expo participation a successful platform for our local universities offering total solutions and serving a flagship brand of Philippine education abroad," Agoncillo-Reyes said.

China is currently one of the world’s largest economies, accounting for seven percent of total global trade. It is the world’s third biggest importer and is the fourth largest exporting nation.