Abu Dhabi Edufair Hosts Students Exploring Courses from Cybersecurity to Criminology
Hundreds of students from schools across the UAE visited the Gulf News Edufair Abu Dhabi on Saturday at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort on the Abu Dhabi Corniche to speak with university representatives, learn about degree programmes and gather information on higher education options.
The fair, running until Sunday, October 18, brings together universities, education providers, study‑abroad advisers and career services experts, allowing students and parents to ask questions about courses, admission requirements, fees, scholarships and career prospects.
For pupils in Grades 9 and 11, the visit offered a chance to explore subjects they are interested in, compare academic pathways and find out which universities offer the programmes they may want to pursue.
Conversations with university staff allowed students to inquire about course content, entry requirements, practical training and the career paths open after graduation.
Technology draws interest
Jeanna John, a Grade 11 student at Sunrise English Private School, said she is looking at technology‑related courses, particularly computer science and cybersecurity, but has yet to decide where she wants to study.
“I am looking at technology‑related courses, particularly in computer science and cybersecurity. I am currently in Grade 11, so I have one more year before I need to make a decision about university. I am still exploring my options and have not yet decided whether to study in the UAE, India or abroad,” she said.
Her schoolmate Akshaya Jampana is interested in computer science and chemical engineering and is considering Singapore or Australia for her higher education after completing Grade 12.
“I’m interested in computer science and chemical engineering. I’m currently in Grade 11 and am considering Singapore or Australia for my higher education after completing Grade 12,” she said.
Engineering and overseas options
Ayesha Faraz, a Grade 9 student at Bright Riders School, said the visit was an opportunity to explore engineering programmes in the UAE while keeping overseas options open.
“I want to pursue engineering in Italy, but I am also interested in universities in the UAE. I want to learn more about the courses they offer,” she said.
Specialised fields: criminology and psychology
Some students arrived with an interest in more specialised fields, including criminology and criminal psychology.
Mithra Jayesh, a Grade 9 student at Bright Riders School, became interested in criminology after watching documentaries on the subject and visited the fair to identify universities offering relevant programmes.
“After graduating from school, I want to pursue a programme in criminology. I am at Edufair to find out which universities in the UAE have these courses,” she said.
Her friend Maryam Shaikh is interested in criminal psychology, another field that examines criminal behaviour from a different perspective.
Accounting, finance and medicine pathways
For Mohammed Omer Yasser, a Grade 9 student at Bright Riders School, the priority was finding out more about professional qualifications in accounting and finance.
“I want to study commerce after Grade 10, with a focus on finance and maths. I am here to gather more information about the ACCA qualification,” he said.
The ACCA qualification is a professional accountancy credential that students can consider as part of a longer‑term career plan in accounting and finance.
Meanwhile, Bhavya Naradala, a Grade 11 student at Sunrise English Private School, is exploring medicine and psychology as possible areas of study.
“I’m interested in medicine and psychology, and I’m exploring courses related to these fields to understand my higher education options,” she said.
Gulf News Edufair Abu Dhabi continues until 7pm on Sunday, October 18 at Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche.
