Winning the odds
By Manal Ismail
"As fees continue to increase, it's getting more difficult for students to receive quality education," said Mohsin Uz Zaman, winner of the Dh20,000 scholarship offered at the Open Education Fair at Ibn Battuta Mall. Uz Zaman attended the three-day fair as student ambassador for his university and won the prize money in a raffle draw.
Uz Zaman said that winning the scholarship was unexpected. "I was surprised," he said. "I entered the draw just for the sake of entering – but you never truly expect to win. When I was called and informed I was the winner, I was with my friends and they were all ecstatic for me."
Uz Zaman said he would use this scholarship towards his business administration studies at George-Mason University. He explained that such opportunities are not sufficient in the UAE, particularly for expatriates, and that as the price of education continues to rise it is essential that students receive the financial support they need in order to obtain a quality education.
"It's really sad when the determining factor of a child's academic future is money," he said. "Education should be a child's right, not a privilege."
Uz Zaman plans to take a year off and then further his education after completing his undergraduate studies.
"I want to go abroad — either to the US or Canada — and do my masters," he said. "I don't usually plan too far ahead. I'm still in the second year of my bachelor studies and I'm taking it step by step."
Despite his determination to live in the present, Uz Zaman dreams of running his own business in the future.
"At the end of the day, I don't want to be an employee," he said. "I want to be my own boss."
The courage to rescue
By Maysam Ali
Eleven Emirati students of the Higher College of Technology's (HCT) Advanced Life Support Paramedic Programme completed a one-month training course in Pennsylvania, US, in partnership with Harrisburg Area Community College.
Students trained at ambulance services centres, the civil service as well as hospitals in the US. The course combines theoretical and practical training in a four-year programme: the first year is a foundation year and is followed by a three-year specialisation in emergency medicine.
"Facilities are the same but protocols differ," said Majid Mohammad Al Zarouni, HCT graduate who recently started working with the Dubai Centre for Ambulance Services. "In the US we got the opportunity to practise advanced life support. We were able to apply what we had studied in college and it improved our skills a lot."
This is the second time Al Zarouni has gone to the US for training. "I was worried about doing well in the final exams in Harrisburg but the training was so rigorous that it made everything else simple," he said.
Given the need for national skill in the civil service sector in Dubai, students, males and females alike, are encouraged to join the local paramedics team. Dubai Men's College and Dubai Women's College are contributing a number of young talents to this sector for the second year in a row.
Al Zarouni said that students should seriously consider entering this field instead of restricting themselves to administrative positions. "There are not enough Emiratis in this programme, so we have the chance to be pioneers in this field. We also have so much room to improve it. There is no routine, and second of all, you are actually helping people out. When you finish your shift, and they pray that you live long, it is the nicest reward," he said.
Good work pays
By Maysam Ali
Eight outstanding students have been granted scholarships by the Murdoch University International Study Centre Dubai. The centre is a branch of Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. The scholarships entitle the students to a 10 per cent reduction of their tuition fees for the academic year 2008-2009.
The scholarships cover undergraduate majors in media, mass communication and commerce and the Masters in Business Administration programme.
Criteria
The selection committee chose the eight students after examining their academic performance, high school records and/or its equivalences, academic merits, recommendations and community-based activities.
Each applicant is evaluated individually taking into account their grades, extra-curricular activities and personal statement. "Our basic premise is to ensure that all deserving students are given opportunities to embark on their higher education," said Romilla Peters, student affairs counsellor.
Future opportunities
This is the first year that scholarships are being offered at the Dubai campus, but Peters said that this is a tradition that the university plans to continue. For next year, all students who apply to Murdoch University must consider applying for scholarships.
"The students need to submit a personal statement along with their credentials to apply for a scholarship," Romilla said. She advises students to explain the motivation behind their desire to join the university.
Express yourself
And win prizes while doing it. The Ibda'a media awards have 11 main categories
By Manal Ismail
The seventh edition of the Ibda'a Media Student Awards is now open for applications. Organised annually by Dubai Media City in partnership with the International Advertising Association, the awards are aimed at finding, rewarding and nurturing emerging industry talent. This year a new category has been introduced – mobile film –that will honour the best short film captured using a mobile phone.
Mohammad Al Mulla, executive director of Dubai Media City and coordinator general of the Ibda'a Awards, highlighted the importance of keeping up with developing technology trends.
"The introduction of a new category for films shot on a mobile phone reflects our keenness to embrace new trends and acknowledge the changing face of media technology," he said. "Movie making by mobile phones has gained international recognition through film festivals from Paris to Japan and have even led to the launch of academic courses by leading universities worldwide."
The Ibda'a Awards have thrown open entries for 11 main categories this year and have been expanded to include new markets in North and South America as well as parts of Europe. The 2007 edition of Ibda'a attracted over 2,200 entries from over 21 countries including Egypt, India, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK and the UAE.
Categories:
- Journalism (non-news)
- Radio
- Animation
- Graphic Arts
- Analogue Photography
- Digital Photography
- Print Advertising
- TV Advertising
- Film/TV Feature
- TV Documentary
- Mobile Film
Who can participate?
All undergraduate students, and fresh graduates of the year 2007-08
- Deadline for submissions: October 9
- Entry forms and more details are available on the website www.ibdaa-awards.ae
Study for free
The University of Wollongong in Dubai announces new scholarships
By Manal Ismail
The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has announced a series of scholarships for this academic year that will help new and current students fund their education.
The scholarships include those of Outstanding Academic Excellence and Outstanding Sports Achievement for new students, and Outstanding Students Merit and Sport Scholarships for continuing students. Those selected are eligible for a 20 to 100 per cent discount on tuition fees.
Notes lists the eligibility criteria and value of each scholarship:
Scholarships for new students
- Outstanding Academic Excellence
Applications will only be considered for students who will be undertaking full time study.
Applicants must meet the university's academic and admission criteria and be intending to enrol in the session for which they have applied for the scholarship.
Applicants must complete an application for scholarship form detailing their claims to the scholarship and submit this along with supporting documentation by the closing date.
Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic and extracurricular performance.
Value of scholarship: 20 to 100 per cent of tuition
- Outstanding Sports Achievement
Applicants must have achieved superior academic results as evidenced by academic transcripts, degrees and certificates and/or specific awards received.
Applicants must be a current and selected representative member of a sport in which UOWD fields an official team and/or competes on a regular basis. These include: football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and cricket. The applicant must participate at the emirate/state, national or international level. The sport must also be sanctioned, authorised and/or controlled by a representative body.
Applicants must meet the university's academic and admission criteria and be intending to enrol in the session for which they have applied for the scholarship.
A successful applicant must become an active member of the university team in the sport for which the scholarship is awarded.
Applicants must complete an application for scholarship, which includes a ‘Personal Statement'.
Value of scholarship: 100 per cent of tuition
Scholarships for continuing
students:
-Outstanding Students — Merit Scholarship:
85 per cent Weighted Average Mark (WAM) in studies undertaken in the previous semester
Value of scholarship: 50 per cent of tuition
- Outstanding Students — Sports and Merit Scholarship:
65 per cent Weighted Average Mark (WAM) in studies undertaken in the previous semester
Participation in the university's sports teams
Recommendation letter from the UOWD Sports Coordinator
Value of scholarship: 50 per cent of tuition
Deadlines:
- Fall Semester: Today
- Spring Semester: January 4
- Summer Semester: May 7 (Not applicable for the Outstanding Sports Achievement scholarship)
- For more information and to apply visit www.uowdubai.ac.ae
How to get a scholarship
- Start ASAP and apply early - Most scholarships have early deadlines, so don't miss out on these opportunities.
- Read the requirements - Make sure you're eligible from the start, so you're not wasting your time.
- Neatly presentable, neatly packaged -Make your application look professional and stand out from others.
- Communicate - Make sure the application is right. If you're not sure about something , don't hesitate to ask.
- Visit a financial counsellor at your school - A financial counsellor may lead you to scholarships you don't know about,
- Be active, stay active - Being in a sports team, club or some type of community service will always better your chances at receiving a college scholarship.
- Maintain your GPA - A higher GPA will make you eligible for more scholarships.
— Source: www.campusgrotto.com
