Annual Malmö high school fair gets a chance to stand on its own

This year the event will go digital, but also go its own way

The school year may have started not that long ago but it is already time to make some important choices for the future. Swedish middle-schoolers from Malmö and nearby municipalities will have the chance to make an informed decision on which high school they should choose to continue their education by attending the annual high school fair – this year taking place online on 5-7 November.

The event is usually part of a larger career fair called ‘TO DO’ fair, which got cancelled this year due to the ongoing pandemic. This gave the opportunity for the smaller event to spread its wings or find its own colours if we were to use some poetic license.

This is the best time for high schools to promote their facilities and subject offerings

The fair is expected to attract thousands of students who are currently in the 9^th grade of the school system, plus their parents and guardians. It has been estimated that many of the conversation and orientation sessions which students pass through in these types of events lead to them expressing stronger interest in attending open-house days at the institutions themselves – something of a second step in the decision-making process.

On the supply side of the educational equation, there will be 42 upper secondary schools, both private and public, that will present their offerings. These are located in Malmö but also in other municipalities from the south-western corner of Skane region, such as Skurup, Svedala, Trelleborg and Vellinge.

The digital fair will be organized in partnership with the Malmö municipal website, which will host the event. Online visitors will enter a virtual exhibition hall where, based on their stated interests, they will be matched with a variety of schools and webinars.

“Just like at a physical fair, you enter a stand, where there is information and videos about the school, point plans and the opportunity to register an interest. Best of all, you can have a personal chat conversation with school staff and students, which can also turn into a live conversation,” said Pelle Jernryd, project manager for the digital fair.

Those who wish to attend the event will have to log in through malmo.se/gymnasiemassa

The high school fair will take place between 8 am and 5 pm on 5-6 November, and between 9 am and 3 pm on 7 November.