IDK-South East Global Education Fair Opens International Study Opportunities to Anambra Students

By David Okpokwasili | Ichie Times

Students from Anambra State and other parts of the South East seeking admission into foreign universities have been offered direct access to international education opportunities through the second edition of the IDK-South East Global Education Fair (ISGEF) 2026.

The fair is designed to address challenges faced by prospective international students, including difficulties navigating foreign university admission processes and falling victim to unverified educational agents who fail to deliver on their promises.

Held at the IDK University Pathways International Study Centre in Awka, the event brought students face-to-face with representatives of more than 44 universities across the world, including the University of York, the University of Portsmouth, London South Bank University, the University of Newcastle, Sydney and the University of Leicester, alongside representatives of high commissions and embassies.

Participants were also introduced to the IDK-NCUK International Foundation Year programme, a pathway qualification that provides eligible students with direct entry into the second year of study at more than 87 partner universities.

Speaking on the theme, “The World, Your Future: Connecting South East Nigerian Students to Global Education Possibilities,” the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Consultant of Integral Development Konsult (IDK), Mrs Chinwe Nweke, said the initiative was designed to address parents’ concerns about overseas education while making international qualifications more accessible to students.

She explained that the programme enables students to begin a world-class foundation year in Nigeria, potentially save up to 85 per cent of the cost of studying abroad and ease parents’ concerns about the cultural challenges associated with sending their children overseas.

Mrs Nweke encouraged students in the South East to embrace international opportunities, ask questions and build connections, urging them to see themselves as global citizens capable of competing on the world stage.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Consortium UK (NCUK) University Pathways, Mr Stuart Smith, who was represented the organisation’s Client Success Manager for Africa and the Middle East, Roché Weyer, described the NCUK International Foundation Year as an important bridge between secondary school and university education.

He said the programme, delivered in partnership with IDK, equips students with the academic preparation and confidence required to pursue higher education internationally.

Presenting the 2026 IDK Global Education Partner School Champion Award to Divine Rays British School, Obosi, the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, said the initiative aligned with the state government’s ambition to make its students globally competitive.

Mrs Nnake stressed that the vision of providing students with access to international opportunities would not be fully realised until they attained the standards required to compete successfully with their counterparts around the world.

Similarly, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ekene Ogugua, urged students to maximise the opportunities provided by the fair.

He identified the digital transformation of teaching and learning in Anambra schools as a major policy direction of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration, aimed at equipping students with the skills and exposure needed to thrive as global citizens.

Other participants included the Policy Adviser to the Centre and to the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, as well as representatives of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other education stakeholders.

The fair further reinforced efforts to connect students in the South East with credible international education pathways while reducing the financial and informational barriers that often hinder their pursuit of overseas university education.