Hong Kong Education and Careers Expo 2007 opens Thursday with 498 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions.

The expo, themed "Reaching Out for Brighter Prospects," at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Labor Department of the Hong Kong government.

The four-day expo, which is open to the public, spotlights opportunities in education, training and career advancement.

It is divided into education and careers sections. The education section focuses on courses offered by local universities and vocational training schools, as well as educational institutions outside Hong Kong. In the careers section, professionals share their experiences and discuss career prospects in their respective industries.

Besides, nearly 60 education and career seminars, about 30 education forums, and continuous video sessions each day, are being offered during the expo.

The expo features group pavilions from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Chinese mainland and Macao. The Chinese mainland pavilion includes about 20 universities, including Xiamen University, Wuhan University, Jilin University, and Northeast Normal University.