Over 1,000 students attend Gulf News Edufair Dubai on the opening day

More than 1,000 students from some of Dubai’s top schools visited Gulf News Edufair this morning to explore higher education options. The event got under way at The H Dubai Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, with more than 40 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes across various fields.

While many students came with specific plans in mind, others used the event to discover new subjects and explore programmes aligned with their interests.

Mohammed Awais, a Grade 9 student from Grammar School, visited Edufair specifically to explore STEM courses.

“I’m looking for courses in astrophysics and AI; that’s why I came here. I checked out a few university booths and got a bunch of info on the course content, admissions, and all the important stuff,” Awais told Gulf News.

Students showed significant interest in engineering, accountancy, and business studies, while demand for medical education remained high among high school attendees.

New-age courses such as AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics also attracted attention, reflecting a change in student preferences. Media-related courses saw growing interest as well, highlighting enthusiasm for creative and digital communication careers.

“Nowadays most students are leaning toward business, although many are still interested in engineering and medicine. They’re drawn to business because it offers a wide range of fields and a lifestyle they admire,” said Mohammed Masood Gill, senior mathematics faculty at English Language School, who attended Edufair with students.

 “There are so many opportunities to study business here in Dubai, with top universities from around the world offering both on-campus and off-campus options,” Gill added.

Students took advantage of the opportunity to interact with university representatives and learn more about course offerings, application requirements, and career pathways.

Zaara Anwar from Springdales School Dubai visited Edufair to explore study options in medicine within the UAE.

“There are some universities at Edufair offering medical degrees, so it was great to come here with my school. It was definitely a good decision,” said Zaara.

Meanwhile, Kavya Pawar from DPS Dubai was looking for information on pre-medical programmes.

“I want to pursue either a degree in medicine or biotechnology, and I found a couple of institutions at Edufair that offer pre-med and related programmes. I’ve filled out the forms at their booths and spoken to them. The pre-med courses are especially helpful because they prepare us before we actually start studying medicine, giving us a clearer idea of the field we’re stepping into,” said Kavya.

Career counsellor Anjali Muralidharan, who accompanied students from Springdales Dubai, said Edufair helped highlight the UAE as a serious option for higher education.

“Events like Edufair are a great exposure for students, especially with a mix of both local and international universities. A lot of students aren’t fully aware of the opportunities available right here in Dubai, so fairs like this really help them discover what’s out there, including how they can pursue the same programmes without going abroad. Our students are genuinely excited to see so many universities in one place and to learn about courses they didn’t even know were offered in the UAE,” she said.

Alongside UAE-based institutions, students were equally eager to explore global opportunities, with many planning to study abroad after graduation.

“I want to study business and finance and plan to go abroad after I graduate from school,” said Khamza Ismailov, a Grade 11 student from Grammar School in Dubai.

 “Edufair is very helpful for students like us who are still deciding on where to pursue our courses. With so many universities in one place, we got the info we needed to plan our degree abroad,” added Anoosh Frozi, Grade 12 student of Grammar School.

Gulf News Edufair Dubai is happening this weekend, May 9–11, at The H Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road — just steps from the World Trade Center Metro Station.

Enjoy free valet parking and exclusive gift bags for all attendees. Explore 1,000+ programmes from over 40 top universities and educational institutions, discover global study opportunities, meet career experts, attend seminars by 30+ thought leaders, and unlock exclusive offers and spot admissions — only at Edufair.

Register now: https://events.gulfnews.com/GulfNewsEdufair