SPL hosts 6th edition of ‘Majors Discipline Exhibition’

Running from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM over four days at the SBA headquarters under the theme "Sustainable Skills: Your Key to Success in an Ever-Changing World," the event will offer students an unparalleled opportunity to explore a wide range of academic disciplines and gain a deeper understanding of university life.

Empowering students
The Majors Discipline Exhibition aims to empower students by blending soft skills with academic expertise, ultimately enhancing their employability and competitiveness in the job market. Attendees will have access to practical strategies for securing scholarships and grants and insights into the value of joining university clubs, which can enrich their academic experience and broaden their horizons.

Moreover, the exhibition will be a critical resource for students to be well-informed on emerging academic majors and career paths. Through guidance on choosing the most suitable major, the event will help students plan for successful careers that align with future industry demands and personal aspirations.

Target audience
The event is designed to meet the needs of a broad audience, including high school students preparing for university, postgraduate students seeking career advancement, and parents who play an essential role in supporting their children's academic decisions. The four-day event will be segmented by audience type: Monday and Tuesday (September 23-24) are dedicated to female students, Wednesday (September 25) to male students, and Thursday (September 26) to international school students and individuals with special needs.

The exhibition structure ensures that it is tailored to each group's unique interests and requirements, allowing for a focused and personalised experience.

Steady growth in attendance
Since its inception in 2018, the Majors Exhibition has seen continuous growth in visitor numbers, reflecting its increasing relevance and impact. The inaugural event attracted 683 visitors, growing to 2,532 in 2022 and 3,133 last year. With more than 3,500 visitors expected in 2024, the exhibition is positioning itself as a key event and platform for students and academic institutions.

Partners
The list of participating entities in the exhibition includes the University of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, the University of Dubai, Sharjah Maritime Academy, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Al Wasl University, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Ajman University, Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, Khalifa University, Al Ain University, Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, Zayed University, and the Emirates Academy for Identity and Citizenship.

Exhibition Setup
The exhibition will feature more than 20 booths representing participating universities and colleges and a dedicated area for interactive workshops. Through interactive tools and platforms, these workshops will allow students to assess their soft skills—including creativity, resilience, critical thinking, and interpersonal abilities. Additionally, students will be exposed to future-focused skills aligned with their chosen majors, such as research, analytical thinking, academic writing, and communication.

Comprehensive agenda
Over the four days, the event will host 13 workshops and seminars to cover a wide range of critical topics. On the first day, attendees will learn about soft skills development and scholarship opportunities, in addition to inspiring success stories from students who have leveraged these skills in their careers. Day two will focus on achieving academic and professional success, entrepreneurial journeys, and sustainable technical skills. The third day will highlight essential topics like career planning, public speaking, and the impact of university activities. On the final day, workshops will be tailored for individuals with special needs, covering personal and professional skills, cognitive abilities, and the success stories of students with disabilities.

Student empowerment
Eman Bushlaibi, Director of SPL, stressed the Majors Discipline Exhibition’s vital role in equipping students with the skills necessary for academic and professional success. “The exhibition aligns with our mission to empower students with the essential knowledge and skills they need to excel in their future academic and professional lives.”

She added: “The steady increase in visitor numbers year-on-year is a testament to the exhibition's significance in the educational landscape. With a 23.7% increase in visitors last year compared to 2022, we expect to see even more growth in 2024. These figures underscore the value of the Majors Discipline Exhibition in guiding students toward successful futures and reinforcing SPL’s commitment to supporting their academic and professional journeys."