KUWAIT CITY, March 8: Twenty-four colleges and universities from different parts of the world displayed their educational guides and list of diploma/degree programs to attract Kuwaiti and expatriate students. ‘Educare Exhibition’ which started March 7, will last until March 11 at the Kuwait International Fair Ground (Hall 8) in Mishref. The exhibition is held annually to help students decide on what universities/colleges can better help pursue their higher studies. Basma Al-Dehaiem, Marketing and Public Relations said that the exhibition hall is ready to accept visitors, especially high-school students.
“We are ready. We are expecting at least six to eight thousand visitors for the entire duration of the exhibition. This is a venue to link prospective students to their dream universities and colleges,” announced Basma.
Educare 2010 is the unique trade event for the universities and graduate students, postgraduate students, young professionals etc. Educare 2010 is a platform where many exhibitors and visitors will take part to discuss educational core issues and career interests.
The event includes universities, colleges, business schools, graduate schools and programs, computer institutes, tertiary institutes, schools of fine arts, medical and dental universities, hotel management and tourism institutes, language schools, professional development training centers, management training, and professional examination bodies, including recruitment consultants, visa information services, students finance services, employers, faculty and staff, placement agencies, executive and entrepreneurial education institutes, recruitment consultants etc.
Education Ireland is also participating in this year fair. The following Irish higher education institutions are also participating, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dublin Business School, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and University of Limerick.
But the number of exhibitors this year were smaller when compared to over 50 exhibitors last year. During a press conference, Sara Al-Thukair stated that there are some issues surrounding their presence. “Some Bahraini and Egyptian schools are yet to clear their names at the Ministry of Higher Education in Kuwait. So, most of the exhibitors last year were not able to join,” Sara said.
Without elaborating, Sara was referring to a recent Higher Education Ministry decision which disaccredited some Kuwaiti graduates from the above-mentioned countries are suspected of distributing substandard degrees if not fake diplomas.
However, some names which were cleared by the Ministry of Higher Education are also participating. In fact according to Sara, there are universities from Bahrain and Egypt who participate. Other participating countries include Azerbaijan, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
The press conference was attended by Educare Exhibition Manager Sara Al-Thukair and Public Assistant Manager Dhari Sulaiman Al-Aiban. Several participating university officials from the American University of Kuwait(AUK), Australian College of Kuwait, Purdue University, American University/Colleges of the Middle East, Infocenter ,the British Council attended the event.
The AUK representative said that they have a team of officers at the venue to answer all enquiries and AUK admission process. On its part, the British Council representative noted that their participation has always been about the capacity building and self-development.
Currently according to British Council official, they have around 2,000 Kuwaiti students currently studying in the UK where experience provides them with great opportunities to develop relations with UK as well as students from many other countries.
Sponsors to the event include American University of Kuwait (AUK), British Council, Kuwait Education Directory, American University of the Middle East (AUM), Infocenter Training Institute, Australian College of Kuwait (ACK), Awan newspaper and Enterprise Ireland.