Adec launches online scholarship management system for Emirati students

Abu Dhabi: Emirati students from across the country can now apply for university-level scholarships via an online scholarship management system that went live today (Tuesday).

The system, which is managed by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), will aid in the distribution of scholarships to students who pursue studies in 17 different majors identified as human capital requirements for the emirate of Abu Dhabi, including tourism, aviation, economics, engineering, medicine and museum studies. The system ensures that students need not visit Adec offices to apply or to follow up on their applications.

Each year, the Adec distributes Dh146 million in the form of scholarships for university students. Earlier this month, the Abu Dhabi Executive Council also approved an additional Dh197 million to be allocated as scholarships for Emirati university students over the next four years.

At present, 1,834 students are pursuing further studies on scholarship.

Some 500 applications have also been received via the new online system. The recipients of scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year will be announced in August, Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, director general at Adec, told Gulf News.

“These scholarships are aimed at educating students in specialities that will cater to Abu Dhabi’s human capital needs and job market. Graduate students who pursue their university education on scholarships will be readily offered public sector posts, especially as their skills and talents are required for Abu Dhabi’s development,” Dr Al Khaili said.

Some students who are granted scholarships will be enrolled in programmes at UAE-based universities, while others may be enrolled abroad.

“Students may be sent abroad if a certain major is not available at local universities, mainly those pursuing fields such as aviation, tourism and medicine. A committee is also being formed at the Adec to guide the overall management of these scholarships,” the Adec director general explained.

To apply for a scholarship, Emirati pupils must have a class average of 85 per cent, or a GPA of 3.0. They must also undergo a psychometric test and attend an interview as part of the scholarship review process.