Providing students a unique chance for seeking quality higher education opportunities, internships and related career planning programmes, the higher education, training and job opportunities exhibition, Ghedex, Trainex & Jobex 2012 kicked off yesterday at the Oman International Exhibition Centre (OIEC). The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed al Sarmi, Under-Secretary for Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education. The exhibition saw the participation of more than 160 universities, colleges and education providers. The event saw the successful launch of its new concept the Universities Exhibit which saw a vast majority of universities grouped together under separate exhibits in an attempt to provide students with a better all-round view of the higher education opportunities available to them from each country. Students can now pick and choose new courses and programmes offered by the higher education institutions. Organised by OITE Trade Fairs, Ghedex 2012 falls under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and is supported by the British Council, Amideast and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Muscat, while Trainex and Jobex 2012 fall under the patronage of the Ministry of Manpower. Separate seminars will be held alongside Ghedex 2012 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre, including by a seminar by Amideast on why the US would be an opportunistic place for education and will include details about the admission procedure and opening remarks by the DCM. Trainex & Jobex 2012 similarly saw healthy participation from training institutes and providers, polytechnics, e-learning and online courses providers and corporate companies. Collectively all three events saw participation from more than 20 foreign countries. Trainex 2012 facilitates opportunities for students, graduates and job-seekers to develop skills for the job market, while Jobex 2012 offers valuable information, advice and opportunities for candidates interested in career development, considering a change of direction and looking to learn new skills.