Ajman University of Science & Technology approves new policy on scholarships, tuition fees

Ajman: A new policy for scholarships and tuition fees has been approved by the board of trustees of the Ajman University of Science & Technology (AUST), a spokesman for the university said yesterday.

The new policy will be enforced in both Ajman and Fujairah campuses for the 2013-2014 academic year. The new policy comprises varied fee increases ranging between 5 per cent and 10 per cent, as well as an increase in student scholarships and discounts offered by AUST for students in need who excel in their studies.

In a meeting chaired by His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, the AUST Board of Trustees has sanctioned the new fees and scholarship policy for 2013-2014.

“The new financial policy comes as a measure to address increasing operational expenses and to meet AUST enhancement and development projects,” said the spokesman,

“The budgeted increases will improve student services, recruiting and retaining excellent faculty, upgrading IT infrastructure as well as building a new sports complex and an integrated hostel to accommodate 500 female students,” he said.

Even with the new fee structure, AUST will remain very competitive in terms of fee requirements among the UAE top universities, the management of AUST commented.

In addition to endorsing the fee increase, the Board of Trustees has also ratified a new scholarship policy which will offer more support to wider categories of students.

Ajman University is a leading sponsor of students. Partial and full scholarships will be increased starting Spring 2013-2014.

Last year alone, some 4,300 students benefited from the old scholarship system worth Dh13 million.

AUST spent a staggering amount of Dh70 million in the past five years on scholarships, waivers and discounts for top achievers and students in need.