In Pictures: Gulf News EduFair 2021 begins in Dubai

Students, parents and members of the academia trooped to Gulf News EduFair, the first on-ground event of its kind dedicated to higher education in the UAE, that opened on Thursday and will run until Saturday at Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai.

Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Gulf News CEO, Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director of Publications with UAE University officials Prof. Ghaleb Al Hadrami Al Breiki, Vice-Chancellor; Prof. Ayesha Salem Al Dhaheri, Associate Provost for Student Affairs; and Philip Purnell, Ranking Projects Manager, take a tour of the exhibition after inaugurating the Gulf News Edufair 2021.

Following the resounding success of the first-ever virtual Gulf News EduFair in 2020, the three-day event is welcoming back — in-person and onsite this time — leading UAE-based universities to answers all queries from students and families about attending world-class universities in the UAE for the September intake and beyond. Above, Students and parents seeking information about courses at Middlesex University at the Gulf News Edufair 2021.

Welcoming the guests and visitors, David George, Publisher, Commercial, Gulf News Publishing, said: “As Gulf News marks this first on-ground event of its kind dedicated to higher education in the UAE, we pay tribute to the resilience of students, professors and universities, who in the face of the pandemic that forces almost every institute to close its doors, have ensured that learning continues.”

From left: Prof. Rashed Ali Alzahmi, college of Business & Economics, UAEU; Professor Srinivasan Director, BITS-Pilani Dubai; Dr Jason Fitzsimmons, Academic President of Manipal Academy of Higher Education; Mohammad Meraj, Head of Academic Professional Services and Quality at Middlesex University Dubai; Professor Dr. Amitabh Upadhya, President – GBS Dubai and Dr. Sudhir Rana, faculty of marketing and strategy at the College of Healthcare Management & Economics - Gulf Medical University, during a session "The future of Higher education : Why Universities must innovate to succed " at the Gulf News Edufair 2021.

Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Gulf News CEO, Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director of Publications and Dr. Aman Puri, Consul General of India, on the opening day of Gulf News Edufair 2021.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt higher education and travel plans, UAE-based universities have emerged as the preferred destination for thousands of students in the country and from abroad. Above, Amity University Dubai stall at the Gulf News Edufair 2021.

Clint Khan (centre), Director at Y-Axis Middle East, with Gulf News' CEO and Editor-in-Chief Abdul Hamid (right) at Gulf News Edufair 2021.

The UAE’s successful vaccination drive (around 70 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated), stringent precautionary measures and options for both in-person and online higher education, supported by top-rated digital infrastructure, has attracted learners from far and wide.

Moreover, the UAE, especially Dubai, offers perhaps the world’s greatest diversity in universities, hosting branch campuses of prestigious universities from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and India, among others.

At the venue, university admission officers and faculty are available to interact with students and their families to answer questions on everything they need to know — about attending university in the UAE this September, admission requirements, discounts, scholarships, programmes on offer, campus life and student clubs.

Additionally, visitors will be able to join workshops and seminars to learn from leading education experts and career counsellors about the latest higher education developments and job market trends.

Sheleila D Silva winner of Radio contest sponsored by Mumuso receiving her gift form Tina Bhakthavalsalan, Senior Account Group Manager-Gulf News.

The debut onsite edition of the landmark event will see active participation from leading higher education providers in the UAE: Gulf Medical University; GBS Dubai; Amity University Dubai; Middlesex University Dubai; Heriot Watt University Dubai; RIT Dubai; Westford University College; Manipal University Dubai; University of Birmingham Dubai; BITS Pilani Dubai; Canadian University Dubai; Curtin University Dubai; Cromwell UK Education; De Montfort University Dubai; University of Bolton, Ras Al Khaimah; London American City College; Scoreplus; and the British Council. Above, students and parents seeking information about courses available at Canadian University of Dubai.