The fair featured several prominent speakers like M S Seetharam, Vice Chairman of the M S Ramaiah Institutions, and Ali Khwaja, Chairman of Banjara Academy.

“Follow your passion,” M S Seetharam told the students in his inaugural address. He advised them to make informed decisions. “Karnataka has excellent provisions for higher education. I urge you all to make judicious use of these services and make calculated, informed decisions,” he said. He also stressed the role of educational institutions as “service providers who arm the students to face the professional world.”

Prof K E Radhakrishna, founder of SA-MUDRA Foundation and Yuva Helpline, also spoke at the fair. Being an eminent educationist, Prof Radhakrishna focused on aptitude taking priority over desire in the selection of a career. In his speech titled ‘Making Your Own Career,’ Prof Radhakrishna said: “Choosing a career requires one to know oneself. Thus, aptitude test is a must for those individuals who are confused about their career choices.”

Dr Ali Khwaja, an esteemed figure in academic circles, was received with much enthusiasm. In his speech on ‘General Counselling,’ Khwaja elaborated on emerging career options and perception changes in careers. He also answered queries from several students on the benefits of one stream over the other. “The question you should ask yourselves is not what course, but rather why this course,“ he said.

Narasimha Murthy, Public Relations Officer of the Karnataka Examinations Authority, closed the session for the day. He cleared the doubts of students about the counselling process and revaluation procedure.

In an hour-long interaction with students and parents, Murthy clarified doubts about the procedure of seat selection and gave valuable insights on payment of fees and other aspects.

He pointed out that eligibility for engineering courses from this year would be determined on the basis of marks obtained in physics, mathematics, and chemistry/biology.