EDUKEX set to start on Jan 21

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 18: The British Embassy announced Sunday, during a press conference held at the British Embassy, the holding in Kuwait of the British Council’s annual Education UK Exhibition or EDUKEX on Jan 21 & 22. A total of 41 education institutions from across the UK — Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England — will be represented in the two-day education exhibition.
The British Ambassador to Kuwait Michael Aron told newsmen “the high academic quality of education in the UK is widely recognized and as a result, UK qualifications are sought all over the world and offer unparalleled value to those wanting to build their careers or continue their personal development. A UK education is an investment for life for students, as well as those who seek to employ them.”

‘EDUKEX 2009’ brings together a large number of prestigious UK institutions which offer everything from academic and vocational programmes to summer English language courses and A levels, according to Graham McClulloch, Director of the British Council in Kuwait. “It is the perfect opportunity to meet a wide variety of UK institutions under one roof and be able to compare what’s on offer - all with the guarantee of quality that comes with selecting the UK as an overseas study destination,” he said. The UK, according to McCulloch, is a highly cosmopolitan country with a rich and vibrant culture in which to lives a student. “The ease in getting around offer overseas students the opportunity to experience everything from its history and stunning scenery to the latest fashions, music, sports and theatre.


“With the advantage of being near to Kuwait with a flight time of only around 6 hours and the current weakening of the Sterling, it’s comparatively cheaper than ever to study in the UK!” he exclaimed. McCulloch also said EDUKEX 2009 will also explore possibilities of establishing links with Kuwaiti education institutions like the Public Authority for Applied Education & Training who will be able to send Kuwaiti students interested in furthering their studies, to the UK.
He also recommended that those going to the event to register online by visiting http://kw.educexhibitions.org/ to ensure that institutions and the British Council-Kuwait will have their details in advance so as to save them time at the exhibition. Details of the 41 participating institutions in EDUKEX 2009 can also be found upon registering online, or at www.britishcouncil.org/me.kw
Dr Faiz Al Dhafeeri, Cultural Officer at the Kuwait Embassy in the UK, thanked the British Government and the British Council, for providing Kuwaiti students the opportunity to obtain quality education in UK institutions of higher learning.


He also announced that in view of the growing interest among Kuwaiti students to study overseas to obtain higher education — the bulk of which is to the UK — the Kuwaiti government has recently increased the number of scholarships slots from 350 to 1,500.
Dhafeeri also said that there is a need for working professionals such as those in learning institutions, to be given the opportunity to work or take up further studies in the UK to broaden their experience and see things from a Kuwaiti perspective and to apply what they have learned, in their jobs on their return, and vice versa, for those from the UK, in a sort of exchange program.
Denise Waddingham, British Council Asst. Director said that the council’s work is about building relationships through various aspects. She said that a group of Kuwaiti musicians have been invited to take part in an upcoming music festival in the UK and for a similar arrangement for UK musicians to come to Kuwait.


The purpose of the visit is to explore ways for Kuwaiti and British musicians to work together in a musical collaboration.
Rafat Abu Taleb, the British Council’s Project Manager for Education, explained a number of advantages in studying in the UK by using the experience to prepare for their future by getting valuable work experience, improving their language skills and enhancing their CVs.
International students can also use their study visa to get part-time work up to 20 hours a week during term time, work full-time during holidays and work full-time at the end of their studies after their course has finished up until their immigration permission to stay in the UK expires.
Abu Taleb also said that in addition, most graduates, under the new Post-Study Worker category of visas, will likely be able to work in the UK for up to two years after the successful completion of their course.


“International students in the UK any member of their family who travels with them to the UK are also entitled to free or subsidized treatment in the UK under the National Health Service or NHS,” he concluded.
Abu Taleb also recommended visiting www.educationuk.org to read up an information sheet advising how to check whether the institution being considered and the qualifications it offers are recognized and accredited. This ensures that it will meet a minimum, threshold standard for quality. The sheet also gives some advice on how to compare the quality of institutions. The participating institutions:
Bangor University, Bath University, Brunel University, Cambridge Regional College, Cardiff University, Coventry University, David Game University, EF Brittin College, Heriot-Watt College, Keele University, Leeds Metropolitan University, Liverpool John Moores University, London South Bank University, Middlesex University, Newcastle University.


Nottingham Trent University, Queen Mary, University of London, Queen’s University Belfast, Swansea University, the University of Hull, The University of Liverpool, The University of Manchester, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, University of Bradford, University of Central Lancashire.University College of London, University of Derby, University of East Anglia, University of Exeter, University of Glamorgan.
University of Glasgow, University of Cloucestershire, University of Greenwich (London), University of Huddersfield, University of Kent, University of Leeds, University of Plymouth, University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton, University of Sussex, and University of Teesside.
The British Council works in 110 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide, through the arts, education and training, science and technology, sport, good governance and human rights. It is a non-political organization, registered as a charity in England and Scotland, which operates at arm’s length from government.