Over 1K applied for scholarships
abu dhabi — A total of 1,016 Emirati students have applied for scholarships, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek).
Out of them, 928 students applied for the Talented Students Scholarships Programme and 88 applied for the Non-Employee Postgraduate Scholarship Programme.
Dr Mohamed Baniyas, Adek’s executive director of higher education, pointed out that the number of applications is remarkable this year.
“Adek’s scholarship committee has developed an evaluation form to assess applicants against relevant criteria’s focusing on student grades and intellectual and cognition abilities. The goals of the programme have been set to align with the emirate’s socio-economic sustainability through developing a well-educated workforce capable of meeting labour market needs,” he said.
Adek’s guidance and scholarship division said that all the applications will be reviewed and candidates who meet all the requirements will be interviewed. The final list of applicants will be announced following the announcement of the final examination results in May.
Dr Baniyas noted that the aim of the programme is to equip Emirati students with advanced skills needed to encounter future challenges. “Our leadership is keen to encourage students to pursue their postgraduate studies, and enrol in different disciplines that align with their talents and interests and contribute to the development of their nation,” he said.
The division has identified a list of accredited universities including the top 200 universities in QS World University Rankings, Shanghai Rankings or the top 100 universities as per the US news.
The Talented Students Scholarship Programme is one of the Adek’s initiatives to develop education in Abu Dhabi through encouraging students to major in specialised areas.
Students on scholarship are given tuition fees, monthly stipends, additional incentives for top achievers, travel arrangement cost, housing allowance, textbooks and medical insurance in addition to job opportunities that Adek provides to graduates after completing the programme.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com