Education Show opens at Expo Centre Sharjah

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Mosharrekh - Board Member (SCCI), Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, directors of various government departments, and members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations.

The four-day Education Show is being organized by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the UAE Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), and sponsored by the Emirates National Development Programme.

This year's Education Show is hosting over 70 exhibitors. A majority of the institutes at the Show are from Australia, India, Jordan, Britain, and Switzerland. Among the participants at the event are universities, colleges, institutes of higher learning, computer schools, business schools, technical institutes, management training centres, and language centres.

Besides participation by individual institutes, the Education Show is featuring dedicated pavilions from India and the UK.

Major exhibitors at the event include UAE-based Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ghurair University, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, Skyline College from Sharjah, Fujairah College, India's leading educational institute - Amity, Vishwakarma Institutes, Birla Institute of Technology, Dubai Police College, University of Wales, Bangor, Loughborough University, Mahatma Gandhi University off campus centre, IGNOU center- Dubai, British Council (school of language) - Dubai, American University of Sharjah, International School for Graduate Studies (ISGS), University of Kaiserslautern, British University in Dubai, University Of Sharjah, University of Wollongong - Dubai, Ittihad University, University of Aachen/Germany, Dubai Medical College, Dubai Pharmacy College, Tanmia, University of Reutlingen/Germany, Mahe Manipal Dubai campus, Zayed University - Dubai, Emirates College for Management & Information Technology, University of Dubai, Emirates Institute for Banking Financial Studies, UAE University, RMIT University, Murdoch University, University of South Australia, and Zarka National University from Jordan among others.

'The Education Show, which made its debut in 2005, is now one of the UAE's most established and comprehensive platforms for higher learning,' said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of SCCI, after the inauguration ceremony.

'The current edition of the Show is featuring a wide range of educational opportunities from across the globe. The event offers avenues for everyone interested in furthering his or her education. Besides regular courses for school and college going students, there is a range of skill enhancement courses for the employed. The hosting of such a platform at a time when the UAE Government has given the largest allocation to the education sector in its federal budget, assumes special significance,'

he added.

The UAE federal budget for 2007 allocated Dhs 7.11 billion or 25 per cent of total expenditure, to the education sector.

This year's Education Show, besides featuring a host of higher learning opportunities of global standards under one roof, also offers thorough and professional counselling services that will allow candidates to choose the right course and institute as per his or her aspirations, ability and budget.

Commenting on what students can expect at the Education Show, Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah said: 'Given the profile, the Education Show is an absolute must visit event for anyone who is keen to pursue higher education including for those who are employed and are interested in skill enhancement courses.'

'The event will provide higher education aspirants with a host of benefits. Not only will it provide direct access and opportunity for face-to-face interaction with representatives/counsellors from participating institutes, but the presence of trained counsellors at the venue will ensure that students and parents are able to choose the right course and institute with minimum hassle. Exhibitors at the show will provide complete information and guidance on eligibility criteria/course information/fee structures/job prospects/visa formalities fort their respective venues and campuses,' he said.

A major attraction of the Education Show this year, especially for students planning to go to Germany for higher education, is the counselling services by the DAAD Information Centre for the Gulf Region. The DAAD Information Centre, which has its office in Abu Dhabi, UAE, serves as a point of contact for all issues concerning cooperation between Germany and the UAE in the field of higher education. Another highlight of the show is the promotion of the various loan schemes that are currently available in the UAE for pursuing higher education, both within and outside the country. This will be particularly beneficial to students who are dependent on financial aid for enrolling in to institutes of higher learning.

The Education Show will be open till November 2 daily from 9 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm. All visitors will be eligible to participate in a raffle draw and will have the chance to win a laptop and other fabulous prizes.