The country’s premier higher education fair is set to extend its reach to more students and schools in the country, thanks to the support of the UAE Ministry of Education.

Expo Centre Sharjah, which organises and hosts the long-running International Education Fair, has signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education, thereby helping more educational institutions to take advantage of the event.

Important platform

Engineer Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, Undersecretary of Ministry of Education, affirmed that that International Education Show provides an important platform to guide students about the options available at universities, adding that signing the MoU comes as part of the ministry’s strategy and educational plans to enhance university visions and practices in response to the requirements of sustainable development in the country and in line with the aspirations of the wise leadership.

He lauded the significant role played by the Expo Centre Sharjah in supporting the educational process in the country by dedicating its premises to promote educational concepts and launch initiatives that serve the entire educational process.

“The ministry of education is seeking to keep school students well informed about the nature of university majors and the skills they require, while they are still in schools in order to help them select the right academic options in a way that serves national strategies,” said the MoE’s undersecretary.

Upgrading exhibition activities

“Education is a top priority for the UAE, and the increasing government support for the International Education Show reflects the greater attention the country plays in equipping its youth with enough knowledge and skills to enter the workplace or carve out professional niches for themselves. The UAE Ministry of Education has always been an integral part of the event. From the upcoming 17^thedition, the Ministry will be an active partner,” said H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

According to the MoU, the Ministry will facilitate the visit of students of public schools from Grade 10 onwards to the event. It will also conduct technical seminars and workshops that will provide insights to students wishing to pursue higher studies in the country and abroad.

Given the concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, H.E. Al Midfa said that the UAE has already resumed economic activities, especially events and exhibitions since they are key to revitalising the economy. Like several other countries, the UAE has learnt to live with the virus and by October 2021, when the event is scheduled, the world would be in a better position to handle the pandemic, he added.

“We have already organised and hosted a number of trade fairs in the recent past. While we have postponed trade fairs with higher international participation, we are focusing on localising events that can be held with little or no disruptions. The International Education Show is one such event because most of the leading regional and foreign institutions have local branches and campuses in the country. Demand will always be high since student enrolments in schools are increasing,” H.E. Al Midfa added.

Prominent Academic Event

For his part, Sultan Shattaf, Sales & Marketing Director, Expo Centre Sharjah, lauded the pivotal role being played by the ministry of education by providing full support for the exhibition’s activities, something which strengthened its position making it one of the most prominent academic events that attract the attention of tens of thousands of students annually who are interested to know more about higher education programs, obtain scholarships and learn about the admission requirements in the top national and foreign universities.

Shattaf added that it the 7^th International Education Show is slated to be held from October 20 to 22, 2021, under strict precautionary measures applied in the country, in order to ensure the safety of exhibitors and visitors.

“Expo Centre Sharjah is looking forward to attracting a larger number of participants in the new edition,” he noted, adding that the previous edition held in January 2020 attracted 201 schools from across the country with 8,200 students, a 66% rise from the previous year. The event, which was also open to the general public, including local and expatriate parents, witnessed an impressive footfall reaching 25,250 visitors, a 15% rise as compared to the previous edition.,” he added.

The event will be organized in accordance with the ECS-All-Secure international health and safety standards and protocols. This would also ensure that the event continues to deliver a globally trusted event in safe and conducive operating conditions and provide real value to the customers.