The largest education fair of its kind in Sri Lanka, EDEX 2010-National Higher Education and Careers Expo will be held for the seventh consecutive year from January 22-24, 2010 at BMICH and on January 26-27 at Queens Hotel, Kandy.

Organized by the Royal College Union, the event which is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors from all over the island will revolve around empowering Sri Lankan youth to be globally competitive. The exhibition will comprise of over 300 stalls representing over 15 countries with the objective of providing students the opportunity to choose the education path that would take them to greater heights and arm them with the right skills to conquer not only Sri Lanka but the rest of the world, an EDEX news release said.

"For the last seven years, our vision has been to empower local youth by exposing them to world class education options which will lead to gainful employment," EDEX Chairman Kamal Abeysinghe explained.

To be held at the turn of a new decade and the dawn of a new year in a unified Sri Lanka, EDEX 2010 will be the ideal platform for students, school leavers, undergraduates and parents to seek guidance from representatives of local and foreign universities and educational institutions in higher education, vocational training and skills development.

"Education and skills development is the practical solution for self development, professional well being and financial stability," Abeysinghe informed, "so this fair would be of great benefit to not only students but parents searching for the right options for their children."

Education is the ideal solution to the issue of poverty in the country as through the right education more opportunities are generated across the island, he said. "We are empowering students from across Sri Lanka to choose the right education which suits them best and guarantees their employability. And through generating jobs we can also ensure equitable social development of the country with similar opportunities to all parts of society."

Over 250 foreign universities represented directly or through their agents from countries such as United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Russia, Japan, Bangladesh, India, China, Nepal, Switzerland, France, New Zealand and Malaysia, will provide information on the courses available, requirements for scholarships awarded by them, ‘On site’ spot admissions and advice and guidance on student visas and other relevant information. Several scholarships and special offers await the discerning visitors at the Expo.