Dubai:Najah Dubai 2026 has officially opened, emphasizing the importance of future-ready education and the acquisition of new skills. The event brings together international higher education options, practical guidance, and direct access to admissions teams under one roof.
According to Wam, the exhibition welcomed visitors on Sunday, 25th October, ahead of Monday's official inauguration. It offers students, parents, teachers, and academic counsellors an opportunity to explore various programmes, compare admission requirements, and gather firsthand information about scholarships, student life, and potential career pathways.
Participating universities include major study destinations such as the UAE, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Malaysia, and more. Their diverse programmes cover fields including AI, engineering, health sciences, business, technology, and communications, allowing students to consider both established disciplines and emerging areas of study.
The event also features over 30 expert-led seminar sessions on topics such as university admissions, scholarship opportunities, studying abroad, and career planning. These sessions provide visitors with insights into how programme choices align with their interests, academic strengths, and future ambitions.
In addition to university prospectuses, the exhibition enables students to ask practical questions about programme selection. Families can gain insights into qualification recognition, degree-related work placements, support available to international students, and graduate employment pathways. This interaction helps align academic planning with the realities of university life and the workplace.
The significance of such guidance is underscored by the growth in the UAE's higher-education sector. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research reported 218,241 students enrolled at universities during the previous academic year, including 64,859 new students. The country's 103 higher-education institutions collectively offer around 2,500 academic programmes.
Dima Al Sadi, Portfolio Manager of Najah Expo, commented on the exhibition, stating, "More choice is a good thing, but it also means students have more to work through before they make a decision. They may be comparing a university in the UAE with an overseas campus, looking at several different programmes, or trying to understand which option gives them the best fit academically and professionally. Speaking to universities directly helps make that process much clearer."
She added, "What we hear from students is that they want to go beyond the brochure. They want to ask about scholarships, recognition, student life, internships, employability, and what graduates actually go on to do. Those are much easier conversations to have face to face."