(MENAFN - Emirates News Agency (WAM)) The International Education Show, which has seen a nearly twofold growth for its ninth edition, has hit the right note on day one itself - attracting 25 per cent more visitors on Wednesday at Expo Centre Sharjah.
The show, which was opened by H. H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah on Wednesday, saw scores of schools visiting on the first day, with the total number of visitors reaching 6,272, as against last year's 5,007.
For its current edition, the show almost doubled in size due to the tie up between Expo Centre Sharjah and AFAIRS Exhibitions '&' Media of India, which paved the way for the Great India Education Fair coming to the UAE and the GCC for the first time. Together, the shows are hosting some 165 higher education institutions from all across the world.
"The special section on Indian education was made possible through the participation of the Great India Education Fair and has proved to be a masterstroke, resulting in attracting more Indian schools and students to the show, which is much above the normal flow of visitors," said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General, Expo Centre Sharjah.
There are more than 100 Indian schools in the UAE, with Indian schools in Dubai itself having a student populace of over 67,000. While some of the students decide to complete their higher education in the UAE itself, a big majority usually go back to their home country.
"The Great India Education Fair has been a boon for Indian students who plan to continue their studies in their home country. Apart from Indians, institutions taking part in the show are also reporting that there are several prospective students belonging to other nationalities wishing to study in India, owing mainly due to the rich training and career opportunities that the fast-growing country offers," Midfa said.
Aman, an Indian student, and his father were exploring educational programmes and institutions at the show. "A personal visit and one-to-one talk with the representatives of participating institutions can't be compared to any amount of internet research or word-of-mouth recommendations. I can surely say that this visit has helped me in reducing my shortlist of prospective programmes and institutions," he said.
In order to help prospective Indian students and others intending to study in India, a special one-hour training session for secondary and higher secondary students and parents will be held on Friday (Feb 22) from 4 pm to 5 pm at Expo Centre Sharjah by Gulf Madhyamam, the leading Malayalam language daily in the GCC.
The session titled 'Destination Success' will be addressed by corporate trainer Sangeeth Ibrahim and will offer free entry for registered candidates.
Ibrahim, who is currently working as Assistant Vice-President and Head of Training in Sharjah Islamic Bank, has conducted several multi-day workshops in various countries including the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Sudan and all the GCC countries.
"We are hosting several seminars as part of the show. They have been well attended and received by students and their parents.
'Destination Success' will be a must attend session for all students and will help them change their thoughts and destiny," added Midfa.
The International Education Show is being held alongside the National Career Exhibition for the first time. The shows are open from 4pm to 8pm on Friday.
