Greater than 600 students and parents attended the inaugural GEMS Education UniConnect EdEx occasion hung on 2 June at GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail. The occasion gave both GEMS Education and non-GEMS Education students and their family members the opportunity to meet with representatives from 34 first-rate post-secondary institutions that belong to UniConnect. GEMS Education launched the UniConnect programme in 2017 with the objective of offering scholarships and financial aid to GEMS Education trainees looking for admission at colleges within the region and around the world.

Christophe Savard, Vice President Career and Future Employment Architect at GEMS Education, commented: "The success of UniConnect EdEx 2018 is mirrored in the incredible attendance and passion we have seen from students throughout not simply the GEMS network, yet additionally additional afield. Our objective is to sustain young people via their whole education journey, aiding them in their shift from secondary to tertiary education and beyond, providing them with scholarships, better availability and boosted chance, and ensuring they are best put to satisfy their potential and prosper in every aspect of their lives. We are thankful to all our partners for their input and participation, and as the UniConnect programme remains to grow and gather momentum, we look forward to hosting comparable occasions on a bigger scale in the future."

Likewise existing were 30 GEMS Education college and career counsellors, that got on hand to give guidance and support on all matters associating with college and future work. On top of that, the occasion programme included 12 half-hour breakout presentations, panel discussions and workshops covering key topics relating to post-secondary education. These were led by GEMS Education mediators with input from expert speakers from the UniConnect colleges and institutions associated with the occasion.

Each session consisted of a Q&An element, allowing panellists and presenters to resolve students and parents' questions and concerns. Topics covered practical factors to consider such as which colleges to put on and when to start the university planning process; more scholastic deliberations including which curricula to select and which based on examine; in addition to broader areas like summer season enrichment programs and future employment possibility.

Furthermore, as part of the GEMS Scholarships programme that acknowledges outstanding success and promise in both existing and new GEMS Education students, a special ceremony was held throughout the occasion to award scholarships to four amazing students. Sisters and exceptionally talented triathletes Juliette Janne d'Othee and Thea Janne d'Othee, in Grades 9 and 7 specifically, were both awarded sporting activities scholarships to GEMS World Academy covering 30% of tuition fees. Arnav Kedia, in Quality 7, was awarded a 20% scholarship to the very same school in recognition of his scholastic excellence, while Sadhna Venkatesh, that has actually won several honors and appeared in a number of films, was awarded a 50% efficiency arts scholarship to GEMS Our Own Indian School.

The scholarships were awarded by Brendan Law, Vice President British Cluster Lead at GEMS Education, who said: "GEMS Education has always used merit-based scholarships to students. For the 2018/19 academic year, GEMS launched the largest scholarship opportunity in the UAE, planned to urge and compensate excellence. Students are identified for their ability to lead and offer, along with their dedication making a significant impact on their institutions and neighborhoods. I am thrilled to be granting the initial of much more scholarships to find to these outstanding trainees from our GEMS schools."

UniConnect partners associated with EdEx 2018 consisted of:

American College of Dubai
American University of Dubai
American University of Sharjah
Amity University
British Council
Bucksmore Education
Curtin University
City University College of Ajman
Canadian University, Dubai
CERCA London
College of Fashion and Design
Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management
Gilion Institute of Higher Education
Gulf Medical University
Heriot-Watt University
Indian School of Hospitality
Institute of Management Technology, Dubai
International University Alliance
Middlesex University, Dubai
MODUL University
Price Waterhouse Academy
Rochester Institute of Technology
SAE Institute
Score Plus / Princeton Review
Skyline University College
St. Georges University
Synergy University
UK College of Business and Computing
University of Balamand, Dubai
University of Birmingham, Dubai
University of Bolton
University of Modern Sciences
University of Wollongong in Dubai
Vision Concepts Aviation Training Institute

Marina Rizzi, Director of International Office & Industry Engagement at The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, said: "The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, as a honored partner of GEMS UniConnect, discovered the EdEx event to be a remarkable occasion to connect with the GEMS family community. The workshops supplied a best enhance to the event in assisting guide trainees and their family members in their research programme options. The diversity of colleges existing helped resolve a range of interesting profession paths and opportunities for students. We thoroughly enjoyed the possibility to meet inspired youth specifically curious about pursuing a job in hospitality in a worldwide setup, and sharing our enthusiasm for this business. We look forward to participating in future GEMS EdEx occasions where the education and growth of encouraging young minds takes the forefront.

Imran Oomer, Managing Director at International University Alliance, said: "We are proud companions of the GEMS UniConnect programme and delighted to participate in the kick-off EdEx event in Dubai. At the International University Alliance, we represent the rate of interests of a number of the leading colleges in the US and we are delighted about the global connectivity to GEMS graduates via our cooperation and identifying future scholars that are seeking to gain their degree from a prominent American university."

Imran Oomer, Managing Director at International University Alliance said: "The GEMS EdEx 2018 occasion was an excellent chance to meet various other UniConnect partners and talk about prepare for partnership. It was an excellent forum to meet parents, students and counsellors, and have significant discussions on job advice and paths. PwC's Academy, as a UniConnect partner, is keen to release our unique GEMS scholarships for our courses starting July 2018."

For more information on UniConnect, check out www.gemseducation.com/gems-families/gems-uniconnect