IC&E to organise awareness drive on global options for higher education

The awareness drive will begin in November 2004, and cover the five months leading up to the 17th GETEX to be held from April 5 to 8 2005, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

"We plan everything in life, from our holidays to our crucial financial investments. And yet, even today, for most students their educational progression is based on unplanned choices. Ask a 14 year old, on the threshold of secondary education, about choices of study streams - a significant number will not be able to answer why they are choosing specific subjects; which higher education courses they are heading for; what kind of grades they need to be eligible for the courses of their choice," says Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, IC&E.

"This situation prevails, unfortunately, in a world where competition in the professional arena is becoming increasingly tough. This leads to disappointment for young graduates, not to mention the unforgivable waste of talent that could have been better harnessed had the educational progression been better planned," adds Godinho. "During the 16th GETEX we were able to tabulate the success of earlier information dissemination efforts, with exhibitors reporting a significantly large number of informed enquiries made by the students and their guardians. We have made a strategic decision to consolidate on that success and organise a more extensive awareness drive."

Under the scope of the awareness drive, IC&E will organise a series of events in Dubai schools, which will give the students and the teaching community an opportunity to explore career streams available. The event will also provide introductory information on actual courses available, the admission requirements of such courses, the approximate study expenses and the post-education career streams. Participants will also be provided information on institutions of higher education participating in the 17th GETEX, allowing them to plan their agendas for the four short days of the exhibition.

The events are also expected to generate feedback from school authorities and students on potential ways to improve information dissemination on the availability of higher education options.