15th Gulf Education and Training Exhibition attracts 20,000 visitors

International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E), organizers of the show, have announced that next year's event will commence from 20-23 April 2004.

'In spite of the current uncertainties, I am pleased to announce that the 15th Gulf Education and Training Exhibition has closed on an extremely successful note with widespread participation from overseas educational institutes,' said David Domoney, Managing Director, International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E). 'This is indeed a tribute to the unstinted efforts of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, who has managed to ensure that it is 'business as usual' in the emirate, regardless of the prevalent regional conflicts. The show registered a turnout of 20,000 visitors, which included students, parents, HR professionals and others in search of quality career development programs,' he added.

'GETEX is held at a time when students and parents are looking for various educational programs. The event, this year, has attracted over 300 international institutes, which is yet another indication of the UAE's important role in providing people with learning, training and development opportunities,' said Khalid Abdalla, Education Promotion Manager, British Council Dubai. 'Thirty-three UK institutes along with the British Council Dubai responded to hundreds of queries about studying and living in the UK. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate IC&E for organizing yet another successful event. The end results are just as impressive. We have enjoyed the show and we look forward to being here in April 2004.'

'Our main objective of attending this event is to gain widespread exposure among graduate students mainly, as the deadline for undergraduate admissions have passed,' said Dr. Salim A. Kenaan, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, American University of Beirut. 'This is the second consecutive year that we are participating in the show and we are pleased that most of the students who passed through our stand were seeking Masters programs offered by the university.'

'Despite the current situation in the Middle East, the exhibition has achieved considerable success in terms of the number of participants and visitors, which reinforces the stable environment of the UAE,' said Ali Abdullah Majed Al Maraghi, Director Alumni Affairs Department, United Arab Emirates University. 'I am pleased with the widespread participation of educational institutes from all over the world, as students are now provided with a wide selection of courses. The exhibition was organized extremely professionally and efficiently. We have prepared for our participation at the show in close tandem with the UAE Ministry of Education and Scientific Research six months earlier, to ensure best results.'

'With a wide range of educational institutes to choose from, it is becoming increasingly difficult for parents to select the school that is most suited to the child,' said Sue Anderson of Anderson Educational Consultants. 'We provide a personal education service to match the needs and aspirations of the individual, providing opportunities for all talents and abilities. Following successful visits to the UAE and GETEX Exhibitions in the past, I am pleased by the number of visitors to the show. After all, a good academic environment with a first class support service is vital to ensure that students achieve their maximum potential.'

'At this year's GETEX exhibition, I spoke with a large number of well-qualified students who view the British American College London as an ideal environment to pursue an American degree while living in the UK,' said Erin McGuigan, Senior International Officer, Regent's College.

In addition, the 15th Gulf Education & Training Exhibition witnessed for the first time, the participation of Knowledge Village, which is a vibrant learning community aimed at developing the region's talent pool and accelerating its move to the knowledge economy. As April is a crucial month when students make their choices for higher education and training, Knowledge Village will celebrate Knowledge Month, throughout April 2003, in an endeavor to focus on the importance of new modes of education and training in the development of the region's economy.