After completing schools and colleges, many students get confused and don’t even know which subject to choose.

A four-day education fair that kicked off in the Capital on Thursday aims to bail all students out of a doodah. Minister for Education Ganga Lal Tuladhar inaugurated the mega event organised by Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) and presented by The Kathmandu Post. The fifth edition of the largest international educational fair in the country has been organised at Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall.

Various universities, colleges, educational institutions and associations, recruitment agencies, educational loan providers, abroad study consultancies, training institutes and psychological counsellors have been participating in the fair. In addition to a number of foreign universities and colleges, Nepali universities and colleges have been showcasing their services and products to wow students.

Despite traffic obstruction owing to transporters’ strike, over 5,000 people, mostly +2 graduates, interacted with representatives of national and international education institutes on Thursday. Most of the students were interested in pursuing technical subjects like engineering, nursing and paramedical courses, according to counsellors taking part in the fair.

“We are overwhelmed by the huge influx of students on the first day. A large section of the visitors was plus two graduates followed by SLC graduates,” said Acting President of ECAN Deepak Gurung. “The exhibition has proved to be a good platform to both parents and students to meet and interact with representatives of various national and international colleges.”

Organisers say students should go through career counselling to know the scope and expenses before pursuing any particular subject. “Apart from basic counselling about what subject to study, where to study and what to expect from colleges, which will be given by the representatives from different colleges, the educational consultancies at the fair will provide thorough details about the procedures of going abroad to places like Australia, the UK, Japan and Canada, among others,” said ECAN General Secretary Rajendra Baral.

Students, on the other hand, say educational consultancies play a vital role as they work as a bridge.

Information about over 100 faculties in the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, India, Ireland, Switzerland, the Philippines, China and other countries will be imparted, according to the organiser. Among the 125 colleges, 25 Indian, six Australian, two Japanese, and two British colleges are taking part in the fair. The event that remains open from 11 am to 6 pm aims to attract 120,000 visitors. Entries are available for Rs 15. However, anyone can get free passes and other prizes by sending SMSes to 5005.

source: The Kathmandu Post