The 21st Dawn Education Expo opened on Saturday at the Pearl-Continental (PC) Hotel, drawing thousands of students eager to explore academic pathways, scholarships and international study options. The two-day event brought together more than 80 universities and colleges from around the world, offering attendees a rare opportunity to access extensive career guidance under one roof.
From the entrance lined with colourful standees promoting study-abroad destinations to the bustling stalls inside the marquee, students moved from booth to booth collecting information, brochures and expert advice. Institutions from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Northern Cyprus, Pakistan, Russia, Switzerland, Turkiye and the UAE participated, showcasing a diverse range of academic programmes.
Many students arrived with their families or friends, seeking clarity on scholarships and foreign admissions. Intermediate students Saeed Mumtaz and Shaukat Ali said they were focused on finding scholarship opportunities that could support their ambitions to study abroad. Others, like cousins Ramis Fawad, Arhan and Ziad Jawad, attended with their guardian, who hoped the boys would pursue higher education together in Germany.
Several consultancy stalls, including Striveny, guided students toward popular destinations such as Germany, Italy and Turkiye, while also highlighting lesser-known but accessible options like Malaysia, where English proficiency exams and bank statements are not mandatory for visas. At the British Council stall, visitors learned about undergraduate to PhD programmes in the UK, along with scholarships and an easy-to-use digital platform for navigating options through QR codes.
Despite initial uncertainty for many attendees, conversations with experts helped shape clearer academic plans. A common takeaway among students was the idea of completing undergraduate studies locally before pursuing postgraduate degrees abroad, a strategy supported by the numerous Pakistani universities represented at the expo.
Beyond the stalls, workshops, panel discussions and interactive sessions ran throughout the day, offering practical insights into global education trends. In one corner, Digital Micro School facilitator Sadia Faisal demonstrated a gamified learning setup for children, using tablets and educational apps to encourage self-paced learning.
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The Karachi edition of the Dawn Education Expo wrapped up on Sunday, and the event now moves to Islamabad for the day-long expo at the Serena Hotel on November 20, followed by the two-day expo in Lahore at the Nishat Hotel in Johar Town. Students also have the chance to win a laptop in each city through raffle draws, adding to the excitement surrounding one of the country’s most anticipated education events.