UK universities poised for strong showing at GETEX Dubai 2006

"The UK's multicultural nature makes it easier for students from the Middle East to integrate and settle down. Our facilities compare well with other major destinations and our secondary and tertiary level education system is still considered very attractive, making the UK one of the top destinations for students seeking education abroad," pointed out Kamil Aliss, Head of International School of Southampton's Itchen College.

"The Middle East, with its growing youth population, its demand for quality, world-class education and its rising investments in the sector, is attracting increased attention from reputed institutions in the UK which are adapting their programmes and facilities to accommodate Arab needs. GETEX Dubai 2006 provides the best forum for these institutions to market themselves among the region's students, strike alliances and network with education authorities and managements,"

said Anselm Godinho, Managing Director of IC&E.

Pat Baxter, International Officer at the University of Leicester observed: "There has been an increase in students choosing to study in the UK recently. We expect to recruit a good number of students particularly from the GCC states and Jordan, for our full-time degree courses, which are shorter and therefore less expensive than those in the USA or Australia." Audrey Chisholm, Press & Publications Executive of the University of Strathclyde's Graduate School of Business, with centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman and Bahrain described GETEX as a "great way of meeting face to face with potential students."

Dr Kath Morrison, the University of Leeds' permanent consultant for the Gulf and Kirstie Watson from its International Office will be present at GETEX Dubai 2006. "Our university is rated as one of the UK's top-ten institutions for research. We offer a country programme in Oman, and have links with many regional sponsors, schools, colleges and universities. Our four-member team travels regularly to the Gulf and the Middle East. We expect interest especially for the engineering, business and computing courses from visitors to GETEX Dubai 2006," said Susan Hunter, Leeds' International Officer (Gulf).

Organised by International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), GETEX Dubai 2006 will be held from April 12 to 14 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre and targets students, parents, professionals and the education industry from the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Iran. It event enjoys the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research.