Higher education: Students grab opportunity to explore varsity programmes

Universities make a bid for young, eager minds at 21st Intl Education Exhibition.

LAHORE:

Universities, both national and international, convened yesterday at a local hotel to answer student questions regarding higher education. Students were interested in scholarships, visa processing, fee structures and rankings of various educational institutes. Representatives of over 40 educational institutes fielded the queries and provided consultancy at the 21ST Pakistan International Education Exhibition organised by the World Learning Bureau.

The exhibitions started in 1993. The 21ST exhibition aims to provide students with information about the offers and curriculums that are available to them locally and globally. Universities from England, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and the United States displayed information about their courses and fields of study to make students better understand the career opportunities available to them.

Ali Malik, an organiser with the World Learning Bureau, said students found it difficult to obtain information about educational opportunities. “We do their homework and help them find a suitable institute.” He said that the best thing about the exhibition was the ability to compare opportunities and get a ‘reliable picture of what is happening globally’.

Aus Pak representative Sumera Farooq said, “The turnout has been very good and students are finding it convenient and informative. She added that they had provided students with a long list of courses and disciplines being offered in Australia.

Consultants on medical, engineering and marketing programmes attracted the largest number of students, while students of metric, O’ levels, Intermediate and A’ levels were also given provided counseling. Syed Irfan Mehmood, Education officer of Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Pakistan said, “Better understanding of opportunities leads to further studies. This exhibition has been the easiest way to find what you are looking for. Career counseling is not common in Pakistan and we aim to provide interested students a platform where they can flourish.”

Students and visitors talked to many representatives. Medical students Shagufta Hayat and Sohail Amjad said, “Nowadays we are seeing fake educational institutes everywhere. We have come to here to find out about eligibility criteria.” Student Imran Afaq said, “Fee structures and rankings would matter the most to me. I’m here to look for an affordable institute.”

The exhibition ended in Lahore on Monday and will move on to Islamabad and Karachi next.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2011.