Higher education: Students web-chat with university representatives

Consultant urges govt to monitor and regulate education consultants.


Rahib Raza June 16, 2011
Higher education: Students web-chat with university representatives

LAHORE:


Students in Lahore got a chance to chat with university representatives from the UK, US, Malaysia and Canada on Thursday at the Pearl Continental Hotel. “One-on-one virtual education fair” was organised by Success Factor, an independent education consultancy group. Students spoke in real time with representatives from 65 universities about their education concerns. Students quizzed the reps on admission requirements, student life and the expenses involved in pursuing an education abroad.


Consultants claim that on average close to 10,000 Pakistani students head abroad for higher education every year.

Consultants are of the opinion that many universities do not send their reps to Pakistan because of the current political climate even though the market for students who want to go abroad for education is lucrative. Success Factor stepped in and filled the gap by providing online consultancy for students to interact with the reps.

Success Factor’s regional director Hassan Baweja said, “Education consultants should be monitored by government officials so people can avoid shysters.” He added that, “more than 6,500 consultants work in the country and 95 per cent are fake. They do nothing more than confuse students, making tall promises regarding visa and jobs which never materialise.”

Government College University students Zohaib and Abdullah were happy with what they saw. The young men found the process ‘transparent’ and said that the live chat had given them a more complete picture. Trained student ambassadors guided the students through the process.

Consultants stressed that students should get information about the university they are interested in through reliable sources like the university’s website. Students were encouraged to check up on the universities rankings and their accreditation.Tariq Malik, country director of INTO University Partnership, another education consultancy, attended the event and said, “Most of the expos cater to students pursuing MBAs. Demand for subjects like music, arts and design is negligible in these kinds of forums.”

The one day event started at 2 pm and came to an end at 10 pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.

COMMENTS (2)

manam | 13 years ago | Reply really needed event for students.
Hassan | 13 years ago | Reply It was really nice to attend such a nice event at such a large scale
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