World's first student concierge service launched at Najah

The International Student Accommodation Service is using Najah to introduce the new concept to provide Middle East students studying in Australia with a range of relocation services to make their move simple and stress-free.

For the 22,818 students from the Middle East region who have chosen to study in one of the 38 universities in Australia, the move to a new continent and adapting to a new culture can be daunting. Najah, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until Thursday 22 October, is providing the platform for visitors to be the first to enjoy a luxury study abroad experience.

The International Student Accommodation Service provides students with airport pick-up, temporary and permanent accommodation, mobile phone and internet access, city tours and introductions to peers, as well as help in setting up bank accounts, health and travel insurance and counselling and emotional support as and when required.

"We saw a gap in the market to provide a personal fully integrated concierge service for students who want to experience a new country, but are perhaps dissuaded by the prospect of starting an entirely new life without their creature comforts,"

said Dean Giannelli, CEO of the International Student Accommodation Service.

"We made a strategic decision to launch the company first in the Middle East because the region is renowned for its high levels of personalised service. Furthermore, we have seen year on year increases in the number of Middle East students choosing to seek higher education in Australia; to date they account for 4.2% of the 544,000 students studying in the country," he added.

The company is following its Middle East launch at Najah with the Singapore and Vietnam markets and has plans to move into China in 2010 and India in 2011.

Education is a typically robust industry during economically challenging times because of government commitments to investment and growth. In Australia, education is a Dhs51.1bn ($15bn) industry, the third largest exporter in the country after iron & oil and coal.

The relationship between the Middle East and Australia is strong; Murdoch University and the University of Wollongong have both set up campuses in Dubai in recent years.

Joining Murdoch University and the University of Wollongong at Najah is IDP Education Australia, a company which offers student recruitment and testing services and is at the event representing 19 Australian universities including the University of Adelaide, University of New South Wales and University of Technology in Sydney.

Furthermore, Study Victoria Australia is meeting UAE school leavers who are visiting Najah to find out about higher education options and considering universities in Melbourne and Victoria.

Najah features a vast selection of local, regional and international universities and world-renowned organisations, along with an assessment centre, career counselling, and a new Education and Career Forum.

A selection of workshops are also 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 career advice lounge returns to the exhibition this year. AIESEC, the largest student organisation in the world, is running an assessment centre which allows students and graduates to gauge their skills and consider potential careers that maximise their strengths.

Najah is taking place now in Halls 8 and 9 of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, with free entry, open from 10:00am to 9:00pm on Thursday 22 October.