MANILA: When Ahmed Wali arrived in Manila in 2016, he first focused on learning English, an opportunity he became aware of thanks to a friend who was studying in the Philippines.
Now, a decade later, as a graduate of a Filipino medical university, he is helping Saudi students follow a similar path.
“I gave it a try. When I came here, I found out it was better than I expected. People are nice, people speak English, and English schools here teach one-on-one classes,” he said. “That made me improve faster than if I studied in my country.”
As he became fluent in English, he decided to continue his higher education in Manila and eventually, in 2024, graduated from the College of Dentistry at Unciano Colleges and General Hospital.
The courses were not easy at first, as he was studying in a new language and instructors seemed stricter than back home. But the amount of practice the Philippine university offered was greater than at other universities, preparing him well for the profession.
“We went on dental missions on islands, and we helped people who didn’t have medical centers or clinics,” Wali said. “When I went back home, I found myself having practiced more often than people who graduate from Saudi.”
The experience in the Philippines has encouraged him to bring more Saudi students to the Philippines — also for shorter stays to focus on learning English.
Wali’s company, Mustashar Ph, helps them choose the school, enroll and organize their stay, tapping into growing interest in Filipino educational institutions since more of them have been recognized by the Saudi government.
“I think there are 12 universities that are approved by the educational department, so if you graduate from one of these schools, you can work in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“I help a lot of people come and study.”
About 100 Saudis are currently enrolled in Philippine universities and the Kingdom’s embassy in Manila has also observed the numbers to be growing.
“Many factors are driving the growth in the number of Saudi students in the Philippines,” said Kamal Jameel Al-Widyani, head of the embassy’s economic and cultural affairs.
Among the main reasons, he listed English as the medium of instruction, which meant “no need to learn a new language,” as well as “globally recognized degrees,” especially in medicine and nursing, and engineering.
“Besides that, there’s the affordable tuition and living costs compared to Western countries,” he said.
Medical education in the Philippines can cost foreign students roughly $3,000 to $6,000 a year in tuition, while the costs of living are a fraction of what they would pay in Europe or the US.
The Philippine institutions are also globally recognized for their quality, and Saudis are familiar with Filipino medics and nurses, as many of them work in the Kingdom.
Fatima Al-Solmi has been studying nursing at the Philippine Women’s University in Manila since 2024.
“My father was a nurse and many of his friends were Filipino nurses in my country. I grew up hearing good things about them,” she told Arab News.
“I learned a lot from living here in the Philippines. I became more independent and more open to different people and cultures. I also learned to respect and understand different traditions. I learned that people can have different ways of living, but we can still understand and respect each other.”
Njood Adel, a 26-year-old who enrolled in the Philippine Women’s University last year, chose the Philippines “because it is world-renowned for its high standard of nursing education and healthcare training,” she said.
“Studying nursing in the Philippines equips me with comprehensive clinical skills and strong English fluency. This international experience will allow me to return to Saudi Arabia as a highly qualified nurse, ready to contribute to improving our healthcare sector and support Saudi Vision 2030.”
