The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation recently launched 100 scholarships for students in the Arab world.
The foundation is a project spearheaded by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He has committed a personal endowment of Dh37 billion towards the creation of a future generation of thought leaders in the region.
The Pioneers Programme
Called the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Pioneers Programme, it will award 100 scholarships annually to deserving undergraduate students with outstanding achievements, leadership potential and financial need who wish to pursue postgraduate programmes across the region.
Students who will commence master's level studies in the 2008-09 academic year may apply this year. The programme covers all tuition fees and other related educational expenses.
Successful applicants will have to sign a two-year agreement to take up employment in the region in the private or public sector for a minimum period of two years after their studies.
Dr Rima Khalaf, the foundation's chief executive, said: "As a pan-Arab initiative, the programme will provide equal opportunity to deserving students, while reversing the syndrome of brain drain, and preparing a future generation of leaders committed to progress."
Who can apply?
Nationals of the 22 member countries of the League of Arab States are eligible to apply. The member countries are Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE and Yemen.
Thirteen universities in the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco have partnered with the foundation to offer scholarships in public administration, business administration, journalism and mass communication.
They include the British University in Dubai; Michigan State University (Dubai); Middlesex University, Dubai; University of Wollongong, Dubai; American University in Dubai; London Business School in Dubai; Heriot-Watt University (Dubai); the American University of Sharjah; University of Jordan; Yarmouk University; American University in Cairo; American University of Beirut; Lebanese American University; and Al Akhawayn University in Morocco.
Other initiatives
The Pioneers Programme is not the foundation's sole initiative – the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fellows Programme offers scholarships for master's degree programmes in business administration, public administration, public policy and finance.
The Author Grants Programme called Oktub, meaning "write" in Arabic, is another initiative that aims to nurture talented authors in the Arab world by helping them realise their dreams in inspired, published works.
Oktub provides aspiring writers with a stipend and facilitates partnerships between the authors and leading publishing houses mandated to publish and distribute their works.
The Translation or "Tarjem" Programme aims to enhance the Arab world's access to leading works in scientific, cultural, historic, political and other fields.
For full details on the application process visit www.mbrfoundation.ae
By Amelia Naidoo, Staff Reporter