THE ANNUAL International Education Fair kicks off tomorrow with over 100 universities to peruse as well as private colleges and educational institutes.
“Through this significant activity of our ministry, visitors will have the chance to collate information on Cypriot, Greek and other universities outside of Cyprus,” said Education Minister Giorgos Demosthenous.
Head of the Cyprus State Fairs Authority, Loizos Constantinou, reassured that visitors will have the chance to be fully informed on what a vast number of countries globally have to offer.
Around 237 exhibitors will take part, including 62 British universities and 20 higher education schools, 21 Bulgarian universities along with eight higher education schools, 11 medical schools in the Czech Republic, 10 universities in Hungary and nine in the US.
France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands will take part via their embassy’s official cultural centres and education departments.
All the countries taking part will represent their country’s higher education but will also be able to provide information on any one of their universities or educational institutions.
According to Constantinou, Cyprus has the largest number of educational institutions this year with eight universities and 14 higher education schools. Included in the mix are the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology, the Open University, the Police Academy and the Higher Hotel Institute, and the new UCLan Cyprus.
The Human Resource Development Authority (AnAD) will also be present at the three-day fair to hand out important information on different professions.
The Education Ministry stand will allow parents to find out more about local public schooling and, more specifically, on the recently established new curricula and timetables in primary schools. Part of the changes included allocating time for ‘consolidation’ where teachers are able to work with pupils who are facing difficulties.
This year’s fair will introduce several new areas to its agenda, such as the programme Youth on the Move that aims to encourage young Cypriots – and other Europeans – to study or work within the EU, as a way of learning about other cultures. The programme as a whole is targeted at reducing the rate of youth unemployment – currently at 21 per cent in Europe – by creating the right conditions to study, train or work abroad.
Students will also have the opportunity to meet other young people who have taken part in the programme.
“The initiative will be able to give young people a boost for both their personal and professional development,” said Demosthenous. “At the same time, it will also give Europe a boost, enhancing social cohesion, understanding and solidarity,” he added.
According to a 2011 Eurobarometer study, 34 per cent of young Cypriots are willing to work in another EU country for a limited time and 23 per cent are willing on a more long term basis.
The European Commissioner for Education, Androulla Vassiliou will inaugurate the Youth on the Move event at the Fair on Friday.
Visitors will also now have the chance to find out about the internationally recognised student ID, accepted in over 120 countries. The ID is available to any full-time student over the age of 12 and offers various discounts.
They will have the chance to take part in competitions at various stands to win prizes as well as a scholarship to a Cyprus university.
Apart from the chance to peruse the vast number of kiosks set up, students and parents alike will have the opportunity to attend a number of educational lectures on studying in countries such as Germany and Bulgaria among other countries.
The fair, housed at the State Fair grounds in Engomi, will be open from 8.30am – 1pm and 5pm – 9pm on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday it will be open from 4 – 9pm. Entrance is free.
