OVER 200 educational institutions from some 15 countries take part in this year’s 16th four-day International Education Fair, which opens next week.
Participants will come from Cyprus and 11 other EU member states plus Australia Switzerland and the US, Loris Tryfon, Chairman of the Cyprus State Fairs Authority said yesterday.
“The multinational character of the Fair and the participation of foreign educational institutions with academics and other staff gives visitors a unique and unrivalled opportunity for comprehensive, multifaceted information on the various choices available as regards the further education and careers of our young people. No other event offers such an opportunity,” he said.
Also participating are the official educational and cultural centres of France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, as well as the education sections of the embassies of these countries. In addition the Australian High Commission in Cyprus will be participating, along with Greece’s Ministry of Education and Religion.
For the second year running all six of Cyprus’ universities will be taking part in the Fair, as well as all the private and state-owned tertiary education colleges. Both the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance will also be present to respond to queries about career advice and professional training programmes.
Tryfon said that the participation of the Human Resources Development Agency, the Youth Board, and, for the first time this year the institute managing European Programmes for Lifelong Learning was particularly noteworthy.
The Education Fair is of interest not only for students and their parents seeking information about opportunities for university studies and career paths, he said, but also teachers who wish to stay informed on new educational trends and developments globally.
At a news conference yesterday to launch the Fair, Minister of Education and Culture Andreas Demetriou spoke about the process of educational reform currently taking place in Cyprus, and to which this year’s Fair is dedicated.
“The aim is for education in Cyprus to be aligned with our traditions and cultural origins, while responding to the new European reality and the needs and demands of the 21st century that are hinged upon universal values and ideals,” he said.
“The reform should at the same time provide equal opportunity to students without any discrimination and enable our youth to exercise their critical ability and creativity, in order that they will acquire the necessary skills to face the needs and demands of our times, as active European citizens.”
Demetriou will be officially opening the Fair at 9.00a.m on Thursday February 19, at the Grecian Hall. The 16th International Education Fair will be housed in Pavilions 4 and 5, at the State Fair grounds and exhibition space will cover 2,500 square metres.
The Fair will remain open from 9.00a.m until 1.00pm and 5.00pm until 9.00p.m on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 February, and on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February from 5.00pm until 9.00pm. Entrance is free for everyone. The Co-operative Central Bank is the official sponsor of the event, which is also supported by Student Recruitment Media and Cyprus Airways.
