The path to a brighter future
Now in its 38th year, the long-running fair is a rare opportunity to access diverse study options and funding resources under one roof.
Held over two days until today, the event drew tens of thousands from Penang and neighbouring states on its opening day yesterday.
Visitors explored over 100 booths representing 57 local and international institutions offering programmes ranging from pre-university to postgraduate levels.
Students were drawn not just by enrolment perks but also by the chance to engage directly with education providers.
S. Yamuna, 18, a recent SPM leaver from SM Bukit Jambul, attended with her mother in search of an information technology course.
'I was in the IT stream at school, which gave me early exposure to software and computing.
'Now I'm looking for something that matches my interests and is affordable – ideally with scholarship options,' she said.
Her mother M. Puspa Kumari, 49, appreciated the convenience of comparing multiple institutions in one place.
'Tertiary education is a big step. This fair saved us the trouble of visiting each campus individually,' she said.
For Form Five student Jason Lim, 17, the fair was an eye-opener.
'I wanted to explore both local and overseas universities,' he said.
'Scholarships and foundation programmes matter a lot to me. Even if I qualify, the cost of living and tuition need to be manageable. I also want a course with strong career prospects.'
Exhibitors echoed the fair's importance, particularly in the northern region where such events are held less frequently.
Patrick Ooi, assistant vice-president of INTI International College Penang, said the fair was an ideal platform to showcase over 50 programmes.
'We've received strong interest, several appointments and even on-the-spot sign-ups.
'With campuses in Penang, Subang, Nilai and Kota Kinabalu, we cater to a wide range of academic goals,' he said.
Peninsula College deputy chief executive officer Tan Choo Khuan highlighted the appeal of their 'Campus-in-Industry' model.
'As a subsidiary of PKT Logistics Group, we place students within industrial parks where they can work part-time through our 'Jom Belajar Sambil Bekerja' initiative,' he said.
'They graduate with both academic and work experience certification.'
Han Chiang University College of Communication (HCUC) vice-chancellor Dr Beh Kok Hooi noted that education fairs serve more than just promotional purposes.
'They raise awareness on the importance of tertiary education,' he said.
'With over 70 programmes, we're the only institution in the northern region offering Chinese Studies from diploma to doctorate level.'
Organised by Star Media Group, the fair remains one of Malaysia's longest-running education expos.
Admission is free, with door gifts for early birds.
Key exhibitors include INTI International College Penang, Peninsula College, HCUC, Universiti Kuala Lumpur and The One Academy Penang.
Others include UCSI University, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Universiti Malaya, TARUMT, AIMST University, Open University Malaysia, City University Malaysia, Wawasan Open University, University of Southampton Malaysia and Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia.
Specialist colleges such as Ko Beauty Academy, Golden Chef College, Travex International College and Akademi Laut Malaysia join international institutions like Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University and Concord College International School.
The event also features four booths focusing on TVET, three offering scholarships, three first-time exhibitors, two international participants and three booths centred on English language courses.
For more information, visit facebook.com/stareducationfair or email edufair@thestar.com.my.
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