The two-day event features over 1,500 career-focused courses, along with expert sessions and admission guidance.
The 10th edition of Edufair begins today at The H Dubai Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, featuring a more focused two-day format aimed at helping students make informed academic and career decisions.
The event will be inaugurated by Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, alongside Dr Naji Al Mahdi and Dr Eesa Al Bastaki.
Running over two days, the event brings together more than 35 universities and higher education institutions from within the United Arab Emirates and abroad. It will showcase over 1,500 career-focused courses across fields such as technology, business, healthcare, engineering, liberal arts, creative disciplines, and emerging industries.
Originally planned as a three-day event, Edufair has been redesigned into a streamlined weekend format aimed at providing students and parents with a more focused experience. The revised schedule includes university exhibitions, expert-led sessions, and direct interactions intended to simplify higher education decision-making.
Speaking on the broader context, Dr Naji Al Mahdi highlighted the resilience of the United Arab Emirates, noting that despite global uncertainty and rapid change, the country continues to stand out as a model of stability, ambition, and opportunity. He added that the UAE’s strength lies in its commitment to education, youth empowerment, talent attraction, and social cohesion, which together create opportunities for all who contribute positively to society.
“Events such as Gulf News Edufair are important because they bring together students, parents, universities, education providers and career advisers around a shared purpose: helping young people make informed and confident choices about their future,” said Dr Naji Al Mahdi. “Every learner represents a possibility, every family carries an aspiration, and every educational institution has a responsibility to contribute to the United Arab Emirates’s continued development.”
This year’s exhibitor line-up reflects the UAE’s growing focus on a knowledge-driven economy, with institutions showcasing programmes in fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, robotics, fintech, and renewable energy.
Why Edufair matters
Dr Eesa Al Bastaki said Edufair plays a key role in linking universities with students and parents by providing a platform for academic engagement, career exploration, and future opportunities. He noted that such events help strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions and the wider community, while also highlighting the diversity and quality of academic programmes in the United Arab Emirates.
He added that despite current regional challenges, the UAE’s higher education sector remains resilient and stable, with universities continuing to operate smoothly. This, he said, reflects strong national leadership, preparedness, and a sustained commitment to educational continuity and excellence.
Visitors will be able to engage directly with admissions representatives from leading universities to explore course options, scholarships, entry requirements, tuition fees, and internship opportunities.
The event also places strong emphasis on studying abroad, with international education consultants offering guidance on overseas admissions, scholarship opportunities, and post-study pathways across major global study destinations.
“Studying abroad is one of the most significant decisions a young person will make, and it is no longer just about choosing a university,” said Clint Khan, Platinum Sponsor of Edufair. “Students today are considering visas, work rights, career prospects, and long-term settlement together. That is exactly the kind of holistic guidance Y-Axis provides, and Edufair is the ideal platform for us to connect with students and families at the start of their journey.”
Alongside the exhibition, the event will host a series of seminars and panel discussions featuring academic leaders and industry experts, focusing on emerging career trends, in-demand skills, and broader developments in the United Arab Emirates job market.
