International education fair of Turkey (IEFT) is a traditional event that takes place in Turkey every year. This year’s fair in Istanbul completed a large series of presentations in other cities of Turkey – Bursa, Adana, Ankara and Izmir.
In the fair participated more than 150 educational organizations from about 30 countries, and the most numerous delegation were from the U.S., UK, France, Canada, Germany and Australia. Ukraine was represented only by our stand, which provoked very great interest. Furthermore, it should be noted that there were almost no competitors in the field of pharmaceutical education at the fair. Foreign universities offered mainly language courses, economic and technical education.
According to the organizers, the fair during two days was visited by over 10,000 visitors – prospective students and their parents.
Turkey is a promising direction for recruitment of students. General statistics:
1. 2.5 million students are now studying in the Turkish higher education system
2. InTurkey there are 141 state and 53 private universities
3. 1,500,000 prospective bachelor degree students will be in Turkey in August 2013
4. 800,000 students will be enrolled into bachelor degree programs to Turkish universities
5. 100,000 students will receive higher education abroad
6. 2 million students and graduates are currently looking for opportunities to study abroad
As part of the fair the presentation of the National University of Pharmacy and Ukraine – were shown films about Ukraine, Kharkiv National University of Pharmacy – was held. Potential students were provided with information in Russian, English (professor. Georgiyants) and Turkish (university representative in Turkey Bulent Ener) languages. Visitors have learned the features of higher education in Ukraine, the possibility of academic mobility, the system of obtaining degrees in Ukraine.
During the fair, stand of the NationalPharmaceuticalUniversity was visited by over 1000 visitors (about 650 on March 23 and about 350 on March 24). Questionnaires with contacts were filled by over 200 potential students that have expressed a desire to receive education at the National University of Pharmacy. Analysis of the questionnaires shows that 86% expressed a desire to study in English, 16 in Russian. 70% will receive the first degree, 30 – will continue their education or will get a second degree (among them about 7 people are willing to study the postgraduate course in English).
During the fair there were held meetings and workshops with representatives of recruiting companies and private firms that recruit students.
There were held discussions and exchange of contacts with representatives of BigChoice Group (personally CEO Henry Nagel, headquarters in London), who has experience in recruiting more than 16 million students worldwide.
There was reached an agreement with director of “Pluseducation caree” company and producer of “Global campus TV” Marti Buyukozden on the creation of the film and its demonstration on Turkish television.
There was reached an agreement on further cooperation with representatives of universities that have pharmaceutical colleges or schools – State University of New York (University of Buffalo, USA) – personally – vice-rector assistant Steven L.Show and the University of Central Lancaster (UK) – personally – regional manager Emily Page.
There are all conditions that participation in the fair allowed to make a name in Turkish educational market and increase the number of undergraduate and graduate students from Turkey, not only in the NUPh, but also in other universities of Kharkov. In addition, established contacts will promote the opportunities of students’ recruitment and collaboration with leading universities in the world.
