Visitors talked to representatives of universities from around the world, while organizers lauded the success of the event.

The number of visitors to the exhibition has increased over the years, organizers said, adding it provides students of Saudi and international schools with answers to queries about completing their studies abroad.

Bandar Al-Moheimeed, a student looking for an American university to study law, said: “The exhibition is very rich with fantastic universities that teach law and have very easy admission procedures. I benefited a lot from the exhibition. I went every day to the exhibition and I wrote on a piece of paper all the information I needed.”

Al-Moheimeed added: “I am looking forward to studying law in international universities. I finished high school at a Saudi school, but business took me away from my ambition to study abroad. After I saw people’s enthusiasm about the exhibition I decided to do it and study abroad to become a lawyer.”

Young high school student Abdullah Al-Dabbas said: “I was walking around holding a map showing me the university stands. I am looking for a good future and I inquired about the various programs at international universities, particularly in Britain and Canada. One of my friends went to the United States and he is now studying mechanical engineering there thanks to the exhibition.”

Near him was Mazen Abdullah, speaking with a perfect English accent with a British university representative.

“I looked for a university that would accept me as a Master’s student in English arts, but I didn’t find what I was looking for. I am going to contact the universities in Britain to find one that will accept me.”

Abdul Mohsin Al-Bashara, who is also looking to study abroad, said: “I have got a low GPA in the American TOEFL, and most of the universities here in the exhibition ask about my TOEFL or IELTS results. Not only this, but they also need a high mark in the GPA so I don’t know what to do. Maybe I will retake some TOEFL preparatory courses to improve my English. Then I will come back here next year to find a university that will take me.”

Fifth-grade student Rafeeq Al-Shareef said: “I am sorting out my future now because we need to secure a good future while we are young so we can reap the rewards later. This has given me the motivation to study more and someday I will come back to the exhibition and find a university to complete my studies.”

Omar Ahmed, a businessman, said the importance of the event does not extend only to the direct communication available with representatives of world universities, but also to the great value offered by the accompanying scientific programs.

“I attended the program of seminars and workshops and was very impressed by the level of guest participants and the important themes. These events should be given sufficient attention by workers in the field of higher education.”

Michael Brager from Aston University in Britain told Arab News: “We are a university very well known for our educational base that all students from all around the world can benefit from, so the university is here to show its programs to Arab students who wish to complete their studies in Britain.”

Supervisor of the Italian University of San Rafael in Milan, Lorenzo Dyna, expressed optimism over participating in the exhibition, adding the first day was a great success.