The Kantipur Hissan Edufair-2016 concluded on Sunday after disseminating information on Nepali colleges and courses to around 200,000 visitors over the last four days.

Jointly organised by Kantipur Media Group and Higher Secondary Schools’ Association Nepal since 2013, the event has aimed at promoting domestic colleges targeting students who have completed their SLC and +2. The fair hosted stalls of 99 higher secondary schools and colleges in the country which informed prospective students and their parents about the available courses, quality of education, facilities and fee structure in Nepali colleges.

Senior vice-chairman of Hissan Yuvaraj Sharma said that the fair has been successful in providing the right guidance and career counselling to students. “Students need to know which course to study and where to study,” he said. “By bringing in representatives of so many different colleges at one place, the fair has made it easier for them to take the right decision.”

As foreign institutes have been increasingly organising such fairs in the country to promote their colleges, Nepali colleges have felt the need to showcase their facilities and programmes. The third edition of the event is being held after a gap of two years as it had to be cancelled last year due to the earthquake.

Shankar Chaudhary, who has completed his SLC from Sunsari district, said the fair has helped him learn about +2 colleges in Kathmandu. “My parents want me to study science in Kathmandu so I came here to learn about colleges here,” he said. “The fair has removed the hassle of visiting every college individually.”

“Students and guardians in Nepal are in search of colleges that can ensure quality education,” Hissan Chairman Ramesh Silwal said. “The fair has showcased domestic educational institutions that are capable of imparting quality education on par with the international standards.”

The event this time drew around 200,000 visitors this year, up from 150,000 at the second edition of the fair. The organisers also said they were overwhelmed by positive responses they received from the visiting students and guardians over the four days.