JOHOR BARU: From parents to students and lecturers, the Star Education Fair 2026 is drawing a lively crowd keen to learn more about the wide array of academic opportunities available.
Among the early birds was mother of two Yu Lai Min, 52, who came with her husband and two children, both of whom will be sitting for major national examinations this year.
“My son will be taking his Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) while my daughter will be taking her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) this year.
“So, it is a very important year for both of them and we want to ensure that we do not miss out on any opportunities that may be beneficial for their future,” she said when met at the fair at the Persada International Convention Centre here.
The account manager, who was exploring the Star Education Fair with her family for the first time, said she was glad to have come across a posting about the event on social media.
“We had recently attended another education fair in the Iskandar Medini area where we learned a lot.
“Since then, we have been keeping a close eye on education fairs as this is where we can get a lot of input about education opportunities,” she said, adding that her 19-year-old son is interested in mechanical engineering while her 17-year-old daughter is keen on pursuing pastry courses.
Housewife Noraishah Razali, 46, said she found out about the education fair through her 15-year-old son’s school.
“This is the first time I am attending such a fair and I look forward to learning more about the opportunities available for my children.
“I also want my daughter, who will be taking her SPM this year, to explore her options,” she said, adding that she hoped information about education fairs would be made more easily available to parents.
Her daughter, Khalisyah Khazir, 17, said she is in the midst of deciding what to do after completing secondary school and hopes to gain some clarity at the fair.
“I am still trying to figure out what to do after this and I believe I will get an idea or two from the booths here,” she said.
Meanwhile, lecturer L. Veliyemah, 47, said she decided to check out the fair so that she could share the information she gathered with her students and the wider Johor community.
“I will be posting some photos and videos from the fair on my social media so that more people can come and explore it themselves.
“There is a lot of valuable information and many opportunities at this fair, especially those related to technical and vocational education and training (TVET), that I hope can reach the public,” she said.
She added that what made the fair even more interesting was its emphasis on TVET programmes, which can offer better job prospects for graduates.
“The booths here are also divided into clusters, with each focusing on different industries within TVET.
“This makes it easier for visitors to explore areas that are in line with their interests and talents,” she said.
Organised by Star Media Group, the two-day fair features 64 booths from 30 institutions, divided into eight clusters, each focusing on different industries within technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
The clusters are Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals and Heavy Industries; Electrical, Electronics and Industrial Systems; Automation, Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing; Transportation, Automotive and Logistics; Digital Technology, Cyber and Creative Industries; Construction, Building and Infrastructure; Agrotechnology and Food Industries; and Services, Hospitality and Business Management.
