Ghedex to showcase a host of higher education opportunities

Ghedex will be open from 8th to 10th April 2009 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.

Besides students, Ghedex is also a platform for parents, teachers, working professionals, education counselors, higher education policymakers, researchers and officials from universities and agencies.

Sadiq Ahmed Khan, Director for Sales and Marketing at OITE, the event's organizer, cited that "Oman's education system has grown from strength to strength. The country now has established and quality education institutions that have international affiliations. Irrespective of the progressive educational system happening in Oman, the number of foreign participation at Ghedex is still on the rise. This shows a win-win opportunity between local and international institutions."

With Oman's vast educational development, the country is witnessing a continuous increase in the number of students enrollment in both Omani based institutions and across the region.

A report from the U.S. Embassy in Muscat stated that Omani students enrolled in the USA has increased in recent years by 42%. The figure was up from 254 in 2006/2007 to 361 in 2007/2008.

According to Embassy program specialist Hiyaam Al Barwani, "Enrollments from the Middle East in general increased by 11% in 2007/2008. Especially significant percentage increases were seen from Oman, Iraq and Qatar."

Hundreds of Omani students are scattered across the continental U.S. and Canada. Their fields of study cover a broad array of disciplines from Agriculture, to Medicine to Engineering.

The American University of Sharjah (AUS), licensed in the United States by the Department of Education of the State of Delaware, and accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, will take part at Ghedex.

AUS is also licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The university's undergraduate and graduate programs are recognized by the ministry and have been awarded either accreditation or accreditation-eligible status. All six of the bachelor degree programs in the AUS College of Engineering are accredited by ABET of the United States. AUS offers 21 bachelor's degrees, 41 minors and 13 master's degrees programs.

Countries participating at Ghedex include the UK, UAE, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Qatar, Jordan, Tunisia, Malaysia, India, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Cyprus, Oman and the USA. Ghedex is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education, supported by the UNESCO, The British Council, Amideast and the UK Trade and Investment.

Ghedex will be held on the sidelines of Trainex, Jobex, Schoolex and Euutech from April 8 to 10, 2009.