More than 2,500 different study plans from 37 countries are on offer at the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (Getex) in Dubai. The 20-year old event runs for the next three days with over 350 exhibitors at this year's show.
Getex is widely recognised as the leading education show in the Middle East and aims to meet the academic, vocational and professional development needs of students of all ages and backgrounds.
"Education is a crucial factor in cultivating the socio-economic development of any society. This is why governments across the region continue to allocate a significant portion of the national budget on education," says Anselm Godinho, Managing Director of International Conferences and Exhibitions, organisers of Getex.
Godinho expects to see around 30,000 visitors comprising of students, parents, professionals and faculties from various universities/colleges. Several of the top UAE-based universities will attend, including the American and Canadian universities, Emirates Aviation College, ICAEW, and Symbiosis, Heriot-Watt and Middlesex universities.
Bigger show
The exhibition will occupy an area of 15,000 square metres at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and is being held in parallel with Getex Education Equipment and Technology, and Getex Careers.
The positive outcome of the uncertainty in the job market is a definite focus on quality, with education ministries across the GCC setting standards for the public and private education sectors.
This has in turn raised the requirement for higher education and specialised skills, and education providers from around the world have responded to this surge in demand with courses and products specially designed for the Middle East. At Getex, this translates into a 20 per cent increase in representation.
Heriot-Watt University, for example, is increasing its programme portfolio by 25 per cent this September, in line with a move to a new state-of-the-art campus. Among the new programmes it offers are several regional firsts, such as Business Psychology, Water Resources and Architectural Engineering.
In total, more than 2,500 courses are being promoted at Getex to recruit students from the UAE and the GCC. Over the last few years, there has been an increased interest in industry-ready education courses and professional development programmes. Organisers hope to satisfy this demand by providing students and visitors, interactive platforms such as seminars, discussions and networking forums with industry professionals.
This year, Godinho adds, the show will incorporate three specialised forums of excellence — in engineering, health care and medicine, and business and finance.
"These forums will bridge the divide between education and industry and will expose graduates to an out-of-the-classroom learning experience," he says. The idea behind these programmes is to offer students and young professionals an opportunity to evaluate their career choices and the academic programmes available.
Additionally, faculty and education administrators will have the opportunity to develop their professional skills at the Global EdTech Forum, which will offer information and techniques to enhance the teaching and learning experience.
Perfect portal
Exhibitors across the region say they look forward to the event as it becomes easy for them to interact with potential students. Fahad Al Saadi, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Development, Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), says, "Getex is an excellent venue for our e-University to create greater awareness about the advantages and benefits of e-learning in our region. It provides direct access to a network of potential students, academic instructors and institutional providers, who are all part of the university's target audiences."
Ajman University of Science and Technology, which has been participating in Getex for a number of years, is hoping for a successful 2011 edition.
"It is an excellent platform for us to present our education and training solutions, and an opportunity for potential students to see what distinguishes us from other peer institutions. This year, we hope to bring a selection of 42 programmes: a compilation of 30 undergraduate programmes, supported by 12 graduate degrees," says Thamer Saeed Salman, Vice-President — Administration and Financial Affairs Office, Ajman University of Science and Technology.
With so many courses available, organisers this year aim to streamline and identify the programmes on offer into the distinct levels of undergraduate, postgraduate, occupational and professional courses. They will also use Getex 2011 to research and gauge visitor interest in industry-ready courses to identify the demand for vocational and occupational programmes, which is imperative for the sustained economic growth of the Arab states.
Quick info - Getex Dubai 2011
Where: Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
When: April 14-16
Timings: April 14, 10am-2pm and 5pm-9pm; April 15 and 16, 3pm-9pm
Admission is free.
All visitors must register their attendance online at www.mygetex.com or in person at the entrance desk.
