Islamabad, The uncertain circumstances and depressing incidents happening these days fail to demoralise youth, who in their urge to explore the new horizons of knowledge grabbed the opportunity of coming across international universities in the Education Expo 2010.

The two-day education expo, which started Sunday, is organised by HR consultants in collaboration with Jang Media group where as many as 20 international universities participated and provided relevant information regarding courses they were offering and also the visa process.

Despite the weekly off, a considerable number of students thronged the facility to find out the opportunities that they could avail by going though an easy process. “In Pakistani universities there is no concept of specialisation in most of the fields. I have done MBA and looking for the specialised courses offered by Australian universities in the field of marketing,” said Bilal Rahid.

The courses according to him were not offered by Pakistani universities included brand management, financial analysis, business information system, business integration. “The consultants here were very helpful in guiding as to what subject I should opt, according to my budget and circumstances,” he said.

Abdul Bashir, who has recently taken his final examinations of engineering wanted to go for higher studies in United Kingdom or Australia. “I want to do MS in the field, which could also be utilised in Pakistan also,” he said.

For Bashir, Expo was an ideal opportunity to interact with the consultants of so many universities of different countries under one roof, which not only saves time, but money also. “It took nothing but 15 minutes to reach this spot and then gather free of cost information about different programmes being offered by different universities,” he said.

Another visitor Khurran Zeeshan, who is an employee of a government office has done MBA (Finance) and intended to do some short course from some reputed international university. “I am looking for some one-year course in related field so I don’t have to resign from my job and could also enhance my academic qualification at the same time,” he said.

This was not the first time that Zeeshan was visiting the Education Expo, but he had visited expo many times before with his friends or cousins. “I knew the significance of expos before and this time, I decided to come for my very own self. The good thing is that the consultants were also guiding us regarding the courses and the ways to get visas,” he said.

The on the spot interviews and admissions by some universities also appealed students who otherwise had to pay hefty amount for the purpose. “The consultants spent considerable time with me for my counselling, they inquired about my financial status and then looking at my aptitude, they have given me on the spot admission in a reputed university of Australia,” said Maha Azam, a student of IT.

Talking to ‘The News’ HR Consultants Director Hamid Rauf said that the universities working with HR were all public sector universities of Australia, who were recognised all over the world. All universities are the top ranking universities of the world so there were no chances of degree being proven fake,” he said.

Rauf said that they have been in business for the past 17 years. “We advise students in selecting courses and institutions, which suit them well. From the moment that you contact HR Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, an experienced staff member starts working with you to assist in preparing for admission in one of our international partner colleges/universities,” he said.

According to Rauf the application fee for all the recognised universities staged their stalls in the expo ranges between 100 dollars to 250 dollars, but on the request of HR Consultants they have waived off entire fee. “Even those visiting HR office after the expo would not be charged with a single penny in the name of application fee rather they would be provided with free consultancy,” he said.