Opportunities galore: Express Education & Career Expo opens on sombre note

Minister calls for similar activities in other cities .

ISLAMABAD:

The third Express Education and Career Expo kicked off here on Wednesday, attracting hundreds of students, apprentices and professionals from the twin cities to get latest updates about a vista of study opportunities abroad.

The expo, which is being held at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, has different stalls and booths dedicated to providing information to the youth desirous of pursuing further education.

Attendees appeared especially interested in the stalls set up by different universities, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and other education institutes to provide information about study programmes in foreign countries.

The stalls also have bookshelves offering old and new books at discounted rates.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid, who inaugurated the event and visited different stalls, said the event was more diverse than ever before.

“Express Media Group’s organising of this event is a welcome move and such events should be held in Karachi as well to help stem the violence,” he said while mourning the deaths of at least 45 Ismailis who were targeted in Karachi early morning.

The two-day event has been divided into 10 different segments for 44 university students which include a declamation contest, dramatics, battle of bands, singing, ad campaign, dance, and a fashion show.

Besides, the organisers have also included sketching and selfie competitions in this year’s event.

At The University of Lahore booth, students took interest in finding out about degree migration, MPhil programmes, and scholarships, according to university representatives Noman Hussain and Niaz Ali.

The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) stall also attracted traffic, with most visitors interested in scholarships at US varsities.

At the Riphah University stall, Sady Ahmad was guiding students about new programmes, fee structure and job prospects with different degrees.

More than 20 bodies including the Oxford University Press, the ACCA and Abasyn University also have stalls at the expo.

Meanwhile, students from different universities including Gomal University, Virtual University and The University of Lahore, among others performed stage plays as part of a theatre competition.

The results for all the competitions will be announced on Thursday evening. Virtual University’s stage play received a standing ovation after its students displayed an emotional performance on defeating terrorism.

On the first floor hallway from the sketching contest, the robotics group of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering displayed their footie-bots.

Among the other popular contests, the fashion show will be held on 1pm Thursday among other competitions.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2015.