Spotlight on further education and professional development as NAJAH approaches

From 20 to 22 October, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will welcome thousands of students, graduates and jobseekers, and as pre-registered visitor numbers are up 45% from last year, demand for the event has never been higher in an economic climate where an advanced degree or training can greatly increase chances of success.

NAJAH features a vast selection of local, regional and international universities and firms, along with job profiling, an assessment centre, career counselling, and a new Education and Career Forum.

Organised by IIR Middle East and supported by the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the exhibition will be officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research.

"The government of the UAE is strategically invested in the education and professional development of its citizens, and students and graduates are eager to discover the plethora of opportunities available to them,"

said Lucy Clarke, Exhibition Director for NAJAH.

"NAJAH is the only event in the region that caters equally to school leavers investigating higher education options, university graduates seeking CV crafting tutorials and advice on how to jumpstart a career, and seasoned professionals exploring a mid-career change or further education and training to boost their skills and qualifications."

NAJAH is specifically created to service the needs of distinct yet overlapping sectors in a single, focused environment. Leading businesses in the UAE and the region, including ADWEA, General Electric, Etihad Airways, HSBC, and Abu Dhabi Media Company will launch recruitment drives and speak to qualified candidates visiting the event.

The Career Forum will allow graduates and professionals to hear from experienced industry experts. Visitors can expect to hear informative presentations from organisations such as Twofour54, the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, and ENOC. Nayla Al Khaja, the noted director and the UAE's only female professional film producer will give a keynote presentation on ladies day (Wednesday 21 October) discussing how female students can envision and realise their dreams.

The event also has a strong focus on education, as leading international and local institutions will be on hand to discuss paths of study and degrees with students and parents. Notable universities exhibiting include Abu Dhabi University, the American University of Sharjah, Zayed University, UAE University and the renowned institutions part of Dubai International Academic City and the Abu Dhabi Education Council.

For the first time this year, the event will feature an expanded forum for education and career experts to discuss the latest trends and developments with visitors. The Education Forum allows students and parents to gain first-hand information from industry experts on topics ranging from studying abroad to gaining internships and much more. The British Council, Dubai International Academic City and Manpower are among the speakers at the Forum.

A selection of workshops will also be included, as dedicated career advisors work with visitors to generate personalised career development plans, refine interview techniques and enhance CVs, providing specific advice in a one-to-one setting.

The popular job profiling sessions and career advice lounge return to the exhibition in 2009. AIESEC, the largest student organization in the world, will run an assessment centre allowing students and graduates to gauge skills and consider potential careers that maximize their strengths.