Saudi Arabia offers scholarships to 100 Malaysian students
KUALA LUMPUR: A hundred Malaysian students will be able to further their studies at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next year, with full scholarships from the Saudi Arabian government.
The scholarships will be offered to students pursuing their diploma, bachelor, master’s and PhD degrees, and for all programmes except medicine.
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Cultural Attache Zayed O. AlHarethi said this was the first scholarship of its kind.
“Previously, only two or three students were granted scholarships from the embassy and only for a few programmes.
“We have many Saudi students here in Malaysia, so it is time for the Saudi government to give grants to our Malaysian brothers to visit and study in Riyadh,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Although the scholarship application is open only to male students, Zayed said the Saudi government would accept female applicants in the future.
The age requirements are 17 to 24 years for diploma or bachelor’s degree, 24 to 30 years for master’s degree and 30 to 35 years for doctorates.
Applicants must submit a copy of the last academic qualification obtained, medical report, passport copy and record of good conduct. The documents must be certified by the Saudi embassy.
Benefits for selected students include SAR1,700 (RM1,842) and SAR1,800 upon arrival for Bachelor of Arts and graduate nominees respectively. They will receive monthly allowances, free housing and full board, and medical insurance.
Present was Universiti Malaya Academy of Islamic Studies director Professor Datuk Dr Zulkifli Yusoff.
“It is difficult to go abroad on Malaysian scholarships these days, so Malaysian students should grab this opportunity,” he said.
Those interested must submit their applications to Saudi Cultural Mission (Scholarship), Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, No 17, Jalan Keranji 2, Off Jalan Kedondong, Ampang Hilir, 55000, Kuala Lumpur by Aug 7.
Interviews will be conducted on Aug 8.