UAE Minister of Education opens Edukex 2006 in Abu Dhabi

More than 50 UK schools, colleges and universities will meet with local students and parents, during Edukex, the annual UK education exhibition organised by the British Council. After Abu Dhabi, Edukex will move to Dubai for November 28th and 29th and then to Saudi Arabia. Entry to the exhibition is open to all students and parents and is free of charge.

Edukex 2006 opens as the the number of students choosing the UK as their preferred international study destination continues to increase. According to the latest figures from the British Council (provided by the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency), the total number of students from the UAE studying in the UK in academic year 2004/5 rose 10 per cent compared to the previous year. More than 1,800 students from the UAE are currently studying in the UK, mainly at undergraduate level.

Jane East, UAE Assistant Education Promotion Manager at the British Council, added: "Students from the UAE continue to follow in the footsteps of famous UK alumni such as Bill Clinton (former President of the USA), Thabo Mbeki (President of South Africa), Stelios Haji-Iaonnu (founder of the easyGroup of businesses) and Imran Khan (cricket legend and politician). Edukex 2006 brings together more than 50 UK universities, schools and colleges, which between them offer scholarships worth thousands of pounds to international students.

"Every year, more than 600,000 people travel to the UK to study at one of the more than 3,000 educational institutions which welcome international students. Shorter, focused courses and globally recognised qualifications means the UK offers exceptional value for money. It also offers an unrivalled selection of leading institutions and a dynamic range of courses, representing the strong traditions and the innovation that you find in UK education today," added Ms East.

This year's exhibition will showcase over 50 institutions from all over the UK, including 38 universities, as well as schools and colleges, offering a wide range of courses, qualifications and scholarship opportunities. Edukex 2006 will also welcome seven new institutions to Edukex for the first time, including Harrogate Ladies' College. Participating instutions at Edukex 2006 include some of the oldest, biggest and most prestigious schools and universities in the UK, institutions with close ties to the UAE (such as Cardiff University and the University of Central London), those with active Islamic Societies (Leeds University, for exmaple) and many which offer scholarships for international students. Also exhibitiing are the UK's fifth oldest university (University of Aberdeen, founded in 1495) and one of the UK's fastest growing universities - the University of Hertfordshire - as well as some of the biggest, including Manchester, Leeds and London Metropolitan University, each of which has more than 30,000 students.

"We will be arrranging private visits to Edukex 2006 for local school and college students, their principals, teachers and career counsellors, as well as welcoming the public on exhibition days," added Ms East.