Latest news with #CommissiononHigherEducation
India Gazette
11 hours ago
- Health
- India Gazette
MBBS Abroad Just Got Easier: Philippines Emerges as a Game-Changer for Indian Students
SMPL New Delhi [India], June 5: As the NEET UG 2025 results approach, Indian students face tough decisions regarding medical education options amid limited government seats and high private college fees. In this context, the Philippines is emerging as a key destination for Indian students seeking MBBS degrees abroad. In a recent move aimed at promoting tourism, the Philippines government announced visa-free entry for Indian nationals for stays of up to 14 days. While primarily intended to boost tourism, this new policy has presented an unexpected advantage for Indian students and their families considering medical education in the country. The visa-free window allows them to visit campuses, interact with faculty, understand the academic environment, and evaluate infrastructure--without the burden of undergoing a lengthy visa process. 'Being able to see and feel where you're going to study -- that changes everything for families making this important decision,' says Kadwin Pillai, Managing Director of Transworld Educare and Director of Kings International Medical Academy. 'The Philippines is not just welcoming students; it's giving them the confidence to choose wisely.' The Philippines has steadily gained popularity among Indian medical aspirants due to its unique advantages. One of the key draws is that the medium of instruction is English, eliminating the language barriers that often deter students from considering non-English-speaking countries. Additionally, the medical curriculum in the Philippines is based on the US education system, which offers an international standard of learning and exposure. Another significant advantage is the clinical training that students receive during their course. The Philippines has a tropical climate and disease patterns that are similar to those in India. This means Indian students studying there are exposed to medical conditions they are likely to encounter in their future practice back home, providing them with valuable and relevant clinical experience. Cost is another crucial factor influencing the decision. Studying MBBS in the Philippines is substantially more affordable compared to private medical colleges in India or even other popular international destinations like the USA, UK, or Australia. Tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs are comparatively lower, making it an accessible option for a broader segment of Indian students. The country has also taken progressive steps to reform its medical education system. Recent updates to the Philippines Medical Act now allow international graduates from CHED-accredited (Commission on Higher Education) institutions to register and practice medicine in the country after completing their internship. These reforms are seen as a step forward in aligning the country's medical education with international standards and enhancing its global appeal. For Indian students, this development is particularly important. The updated policy is in line with the Indian Medical Commission's framework, which means students can choose to either pursue a career in the Philippines or return to India and appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or NEXT, as required by Indian regulatory bodies. Industry experts suggest that the visa exemption comes at a crucial time. With over 20 lakh students appearing for NEET UG annually and only about one lakh government MBBS seats available, many students inevitably look toward foreign universities. The ability to physically visit institutions and make informed decisions before committing to a multi-year course is expected to positively impact the decision-making process. Currently, several CHED-accredited medical institutions in the Philippines are actively enrolling Indian students. In response to increasing demand, many universities have started offering additional support services, including Indian food, academic counselling, and preparation guidance for Indian licensing exams. These initiatives are aimed at easing the transition for Indian students and creating a more supportive academic environment. As student interest grows, the Philippines continues to strengthen its position as a medical education hub in Asia through ongoing policy reforms, improved accessibility, and cultural openness. The country's friendly diplomatic ties with India further support this dynamic, making it easier for students and institutions to collaborate across borders. As Indian students prepare for their next steps after NEET UG 2025, the Philippines stands out as a practical and accessible option for those seeking a quality medical education abroad offering a compelling mix of affordability, academic credibility, and supportive policy frameworks. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
GMA Network
28-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
CHED eyes removal of 3 general education subjects from college curriculum
Three general education courses—art appreciation, contemporary world, and ethics—should be removed from the college curriculum and added to the high school program, according to an official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Wednesday. 'We have five [subjects]...meaning 15 units out of the 50 existing units of General Education, which are already integrated in senior high school [curriculum]. That 15 units will increase with these three courses [which is three units each]: art appreciation, contemporary world and ethics,' Edizon Fermin, chairperson of the CHED Technical Panel for Teacher Education, told a hearing of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture on the revised senior high school curriculum. 'The DepEd (Department of Education) has mapped it out and I have also reviewed and found out that these are included in subjects taken by Grades 7 to 12. We don't want a duplication. So, when we add them up, there will be 24 units less in college which is already equivalent to one semester,' he added. CHED's presentation before the House panel stated that the art appreciation can be found in the arts subject, contemporary world can be included in Araling Panlipunan, and ethics is a topic under the Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education. The five core subjects that will be covered in the revised SHS curriculum are as follows: Effective Communication (Mabisang Komunikasyon) Life Skills General Mathematics General Science Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino All these core subjects will be taken up in Grade 11, since Grade 12 will be exclusively for taking up electives or a set of subjects relevant to the cluster that the student chose to take. The electives are divided into two clusters: Academic and TechPro clusters. The Academic cluster for those who seek to pursue college education includes the following electives: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Business and Entrepreneurship Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Sports, Health and Wellness Field Experience The TechPro cluster for those who seek immediate employment offers the following electives: Agriculture and Fishery Arts Information and Communications Technology Family and Consumer Science Industrial Arts Maritime Work Immersion The revised SHS curriculum, which will be piloted in the School Year 2025–2026, gives students the freedom to choose elective courses that they believe will improve their application for college admission or prepare them for employment following SHS. However, Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo, a former economics professor at UP Diliman, voiced concerns about the plan. 'For example, if I am a STEM [student under Academic] cluster, it is actually possible for me to avoid trigonometry under the new curriculum. But under the current set up, as a STEM student, trigonometry is already mandatory. So, when I reach college, I can skip trigonometry and proceed to a higher Math [subject],' Quimbo said. 'With the new curriculum, you may actually avoid all the math subjects in STEM and just choose science electives. In that situation, colleges might have to revert to the pre-K-12 curriculum. To begin with, they (colleges) have already changed their curriculum keeping in mind that the SHS curriculum already has fixed subjects which can substitute for general education subjects in college,' she added. In response, DepEd Assistant Secretary Janir Datukan stated that guidance counselors can assist in handling such situations. 'We're strengthening our guidance counseling program to exactly avoid that kind of incident where a student can just take whatever [he or she likes],' Datukan said. But Quimbo said guidance counselors can only recommend courses to students, not force them to enroll in them. 'I don't think it's just that. Even if the guidance counselor will say, don't do this but do not all schools have guidance counselors, and we don't have enough guidance counselors. Hindi [rin] required yung bata na makinig doon sa counselor. Persuasive [advise] lang naman po 'yun,' Quimbo said. 'I don't think the guidance counselor can solve that,' she added. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Education bill by Sen. Goode on way to governor
An education bill by state Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, is on its way to Gov. Mike Braun's desk. Goode says Senate Enrolled Act 448 is intended to the state's public higher education sstem to better prepare the state's workforce for the future economy. It passed the Senate 39-3 on April 17. Goode says SEA 448 strengthens the Commission on Higher Education in approving programs at public colleges and universities and reviewing new and existing degree programs. The aim is to ensure enrollment growth and connectivity to workforce demands. SEA 448 also would enable the state's secretary of education to be more diligent in creating "stackable" credentials, allowing students to earn multiple credentials at once when completing courses with overlapping requirements, the senator has said. "This bill places the success of our future workforce at the forefront of Indiana's post-secondary education system," Goode said in a news release. Goode encourages residents of Senate District 38 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. He can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at or by phone at 800-382-9467.
