Mega exhibition on education

MUMBAI, January 24: A first of its kind mega international fair on Education and Career Guidance - IBM/ACE Gurukul '99 - will be inaugura...

MUMBAI, January 24: A first of its kind mega international fair on Education and Career Guidance 8211; IBM/ACE Gurukul 8217;99 8211; will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Manohar Joshi at Andheri sports complex on Tuesday. The fair will be open between 11 am and 7 pm.

Schools, colleges, institutions and universities imparting conventional and non-conventional education and training in India and abroad along with courses providing educational and allied products will be participating at the fair. The fair consists of exhibition, aptitude tests, professional counselling, comprehensive lectures and seminars.

Vision Creators are organising this event in association with The India Express and sponsorship from IBM/ACE, the title sponsors. Academic support is being provided by SNDT Women8217;s University. An advisory committee comprising four vice chancellors and other eminent educationists oversees the conduct of the fair.

The exhibitions at the fair will be in two sections: Part A on educational facilities available inIndia and Part B for educational facilities abroad. Each would provide exhaustive information on the available scholarship facilities, earn amp; learn8217; schemes, visa facilities etc.

Students in groups of 20-25 would be able to take aptitude tests. This will be followed by professional counsellors who will attend to individual student and evaluate the results of his or her aptitude test to advice on the best career options the student can choose from.

A complete package of information on conventional professional and non -professional and non-conventional education in India and abroad covering details of courses and career opportunities shall be made available for a batch of 500 students at a time through a lecture of three hours supported by audio-visual aids on all four days.

While all these exercises together would cost the student Rs 300, free seats have been reserved for Std IX and X students from municipal schools. Registration however will be given on first-come-first-served basis. Besides, thereis vocational and oral counselling for a price of Rs 50.At the workshop on Vision 2020 for higher education: Scenario building and strategic planning8217; educationists are expected to make their recommendations on improving the educational standards in the country.

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Minister for Cultural Affairs Pramod Navalkar would set off a public debate on Privatisation of higher education for modern India8217; on Wednesday.On the last day of the event there will be another public debate on Sex education in schools8217; which has been on the agenda of the state government for a long time.

The organisers of the fair stated that several gifts, prizes and free courses will be announced during the exhibition. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Max Mueller Bhavan, Australian International Education Foundation, National Association of Computer Trainers etc have also extended their support to the fair.