Scholarship programme for UAE nationals
The EDAAD Scholarship Programme sponsors top students, giving them a chance to study in the best universities abroad.
The EDAAD Scholarship Programme sponsors top students, giving them a chance to study in the best universities abroad
The EDAAD Scholarship Programme is sponsored by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defence. EDAAD is an Arabic word which means preparation.
Applicants must have the following qualifications to be eligible:
- UAE nationality
- Undergraduate degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- 213 on the computer-based TOEFL
- Three years of work experience with increasing responsibility
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Note that preference will be given to those candidates who show evidence of demonstrated leadership qualities and/or have a plan of action once they complete their masters degree.
The mission of the EDAAD scholarship programme is to enhance the skills of UAE nationals and accelerate the development of the UAE in the 21st century economic scenario.
Through the programme, high-achieving nationals will be sponsored to pursue their studies at top-ranked universities worldwide.
There is one intake of applications per academic year. The EDAAD programme is advertised in local newspapers with details about the date for submitting applications.
The application period is usually one month. During the application period, candidates are shortlisted and contacted for a 15-20 minute interview with EDAAD staff.
Generally, applicants are notified as to whether they have been selected for the scholarship within a month after the application period.
Upon notification, students are invited to attend an orientation by the EDAAD staff in which the scholarship terms and conditions are reviewed and questions regarding the scholarship details are answered.
Next each student meets individually with an EDAAD educational consultant to develop an individualised educational plan, which sets out his/her course of study.
The more preparation you make in planning your studies, the more likely that you will meet your career goals, said Gloria Estolano, Consultant for the EDAAD Scholarship. Take into consideration your unique skill sets and maximise your potential.
As individuals grow, acquire knowledge and develop skills, it will impact the company he/she works in and thereby the country as a whole.
The scholarship programme thus recognises the potential of young nationals and encourages those with leadership qualities and those who have contributed to society in some way.
High academic achievement alone does not guarantee students a scholarship. Leadership, long-term plans and ones contribution to society are all factors that are taken into account by the scholarship office.
Programmes are chosen based on the students needs and areas of specialisation.
The programme once assisted students who wanted to pursue an undergraduate degree abroad. But now it focuses on students who hold bachelors degrees and above.
This years scholarship intake is over but those of you who have a dream and want to make long-term plans, this is your chance. Remember, if you plan to learn, you need to learn to plan.
Information about the EDAAD scholarship programme has been sourced from www.edaad.org.
To apply
Fill out an application form and submit it to the EDAAD Scholarship office with the following documents
- Copy of bachelors degree with final transcript
- Copy of passport and Khlasat Al Qaid
- Certificate of Health from a doctor stating you are fit for study
- TOEFL score of 213 or more taken within the past 2 years
- Send your application and all documents by mail to EDAAD, P.O. Box 7331, Dubai, UAE
- Workshops for UAE nationals on starting a business
The sessions began on Saturday with a four-hour
seminar, Start Your Own Business in 2005, held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. A four-day workshop - Importance of Marketing for Small Businesses - got underway a day later.
Two other workshops will be held: Strategic Marketing Plans for Small Business and How to Convert Your Ideas into Successful Projects.
International experts from the region are conducting the sessions.
We would like to encourage our national youth to take advantage of the training offered in these programmes as they have been specifically designed to enable the trainees to relate their academic knowledge with practical implementation methods within the current market situation in the country, said Fareed Al Abdullah, Executive Supervisor, Business Sector Development Division, DED.
The workshops end on March 8.
The writer works as an independent education adviser
