Article: Edufair experts urge families to put students first when choosing overseas degrees

Published: 3 October 2026, Gulf News

Choosing an overseas university should begin with understanding the student's interests, strengths, emotional readiness and career aspirations and not simply by university rankings, reputation or preferred countries.

Key Takeaways

Student-First Approach
Dr. Mauli Mahajan, Founder of MyCareerCompassToday emphasised that university selection must begin with understanding the child's individual needs, interests, strengths and aspirations.

Emotional Readiness Matters
Parents should assess whether their child is emotionally prepared to live independently, adapt to a new culture and manage life away from home.

Career Goals Before Country Selection
Families should identify their long-term objectives i.e education, employment, higher studies, residency or settlement, before selecting a destination.

Choose the Right Programme, Not Just the University
Curriculum relevance, research opportunities, programme updates, diversity and the student's learning style should take priority over institutional reputation alone.

Plan for the Complete Financial Commitment
Overseas education costs extend beyond tuition to applications, entrance examinations, preparation, accommodation and recurring living expenses.

Scholarships Reward More Than Academics
Dr. Mahajan highlighted that leadership, extracurricular involvement, personal achievements and demonstrated impact strengthen scholarship applications.

Explore Alternative Study Destinations
Dr. Muhammad Qadri explained that countries beyond traditionally popular destinations may offer more affordable educational pathways, particularly for medicine, provided qualifications meet relevant recognition requirements.

Avoid Imposing Career Choices
Parents should not pressure students into careers based solely on perceived prestige or financial security, as unsuitable choices can lead to disengagement and dissatisfaction.

Psychometric Assessments Can Help
Assessing students' interests and strengths can support more informed academic and career decisions.

Successful university and career decisions require a student-centric, well-researched and holistic approach. Academic suitability, emotional preparedness, financial planning and long-term career aspirations must all be considered.