8 British firms embark on trade mission to PH

MANILA, Philippines–Eight companies based in the United Kingdom will be in the country this week for a trade mission to explore potential partnerships with local universities, training providers and human resource development practitioners.

According to the British Embassy in Manila, the upcoming UK Education Conference will have on board Baker Thompson Associates, Brighton Education Group, Chartered Institute For Securities and Investment (CISI), Eagle Scientific Ltd., Epitome Academy Ltd., Investors In People (IIP), Kingdom Education and University Of Reading.

“The UK and the Philippines are natural partners in education and skills, sharing a common language and compatible sectors… Eight companies will meet local key players and potential partners in the education sector. At the UK Education Conference, they will showcase their expertise in education and vocational training for different professions,” the embassy said.

The British Embassy noted that the UK had a lot to offer in raising the quality of education and training as its country has been renowned globally for research, innovation and creativity.

UK-based universities and colleges reportedly attract some of the world’s leading academics and industry professionals, while employers globally value UK education and training.

“Four of the top six universities in the world are in the UK… [which] is a world-leading research nation. British universities and research institutions have produced 107 Nobel Prize winners, while researchers in the UK gain more citations and usage per article, and write more articles individually, than anywhere else in the world,” the embassy added.

Baker Thompson is recognized as a pioneer in personal assistant training, while Brighton Education plans to establish a Philippine version of the Teaching English Language and Literacy, and is exploring international school projects in the country.

CISI, meanwhile, is the largest and most widely respected professional body for those who work in the securities and investment industry, while Eagle Scientific is a global provider of scientific, educational and vocational training solutions to both the industrial and education sectors.

Also part of the conference are Epitome Academy, which provides an intensive preparation course, aimed at helping Filipino nurses interested to work in the UK meet the requirements for the competency test; IIP, which offers a best practice people management standard; Kingdom Education which provides education for those aged 14 to 18; and the University of Reading, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Business, Law, Pharmacy, Built Environment, Psychology and Construction Management.