Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) debuts in Abu Dhabi

According to Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, IC&E, the organisers of GETEX, 'Visitors from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain at the past few shows of GETEX Dubai have repeatedly expressed the need for exhibition to be held at Abu Dhabi. This demand was supported by a majority of exhibitors. The decision to hold the show in Abu Dhabi is in direct response to this demand.'

According to a survey conducted by MECORP at the 17th GETEX, 72 per cent of the students surveyed said that they found the university they were looking for at GETEX. On the other hand, 85 per cent of the respondents found the course they were looking for at the show, albeit not necessarily in the university of their initial choice. The survey covered respondents from the UAE, other Arab nationalities, other Asian nationalities, Europeans, Americans, as well as students from the rest of the world.

The overwhelming success of GETEX in networking students and world class higher education providers for the past 17 years had resulted in the demand for a second edition of the show reaching into hitherto untapped student communities, as well as highlighting the spring intake of most international universities.

Over the past six years, the education sector has grown rapidly in Abu Dhabi. With a total of 300 public schools and 180 private schools, the search for quality higher education options is pressing for the graduating students. While many students do travel to the Dubai edition of the show, the Abu Dhabi location is expected to boost both the number of visitors from the Emirate, as well as the time spent per visitor exploring study options.

On the other hand, GETEX Abu Dhabi is timed to highlight a second admission cycle, which begins in autumn and culminates in actual sessions starting in spring. The spring intake is a lesser known admission option, with most students targeting the autumn intake. In fact, with most international universities offering two intakes of admissions - in autumn and in spring - the show opens a second opportunity for students who might have missed the autumn intake.

GETEX Abu Dhabi will bring special focus on Higher Education courses such as MBA, Human Resource Management, IT and e-Learning and Medical education, amongst others. It will also highlight new methods of study including real time e-learning solutions that will be promoted by various exhibitors. The event is expected to feature exhibitors from various countries including U.S.A., Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, United Kingdom and the entire Middle East among others.