New Delhi, November 24:

The first ever three-day education fair by European Union (EU) - European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) - kicked-off on Friday here with more than 130 European universities from 21 countries participating in an effort to promote the EU as preferred destination for higher education.

The event is part of the EU-Asia regional cooperation in which the European Commission is organising seven EHEF fairs. This fair will also be held in China, Indonesia and Malaysia next year. “India has a vast pool of professionals such as researchers, scientists, journalists, engineers, yet a very small proportion go to study abroad,” said Koos Richelle, director general, EuropeAid Cooperation Office, European Commission.

“Through this fair we want to promote EU as the most preferred destination for higher studies with the best quality education in the world and also to interact with the students here and understand their needs,” Richelle stressed.

Universities and higher education institutions from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and several others have taken part in this education exposition.

Said Eva Pastor Gonzalez, head of international relations, University of De Zaragoza of Spain, “We are the only Spanish university in the fair. We want to promote the fact that to study in Spain one need not to study Spanish, a reality that no one knows.” Organised by British Council, DAAD of Germany and EduFrance, the fair is being held at the India Habitat Centre.