Abu Dhabi unveils AED 1.9 billion scholarship for Emiratis

Abu Dhabi has unveiled a scholarship programme worth AED 1.9 billion, providing 6,000 Emirati students the opportunity to study in the US and Canada.

The initiative called Khotwa (RizeUp) is targeted at those who have not previously received scholarships to study abroad.

It has been launched by  the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. 

The fully-funded scholarship programme will create opportunities for students to study for two years at community colleges in the US and Canada, before transferring their credit to any international or local university to complete their bachelor’s degrees.

ADEK aims to enroll 100 in the first cohort this year, with numbers set to increase annually to reach a total of 6,000 scholarship beneficiaries by 2028.

Scholarship criteria

Students at public, private and charter schools across Abu Dhabi with a minimum GPA of 65 per cent in their grade 12 finals are eligible to apply, providing they score a minimum of 3.0 in IELTS tests.

The same criteria apply for National Service Graduates who do not hold a bachelor’s degree. Priority will be given to candidates whose families are receiving social support.

For those who do not yet have the English proficiency levels to pursue post-high school studies at North American community colleges, the programme will also cover the costs of one additional year of English language studies for candidates, to be undertaken in the host country.

Candidates joining the programme must commit to a homestay programme during the two-year community college period, where students will reside with local families carefully selected by ADEK and reputable homestay organisations across North America.

Shortlisted candidates must attend a mandatory five-day bootcamp at ADEK headquarters in October to assess their readiness for overseas study and homestay programmes.

Successful applicants are set to leave the UAE for their assigned community college and homestay programme in January 2023.

In addition to covering tuition fees and living costs throughout their homestay programme at community college, as well as their bachelor’s degree, Khotwa (RizeUp) enrollees will also receive living allowances and continuous one-on-one advisory support from ADEK’s academic counsellors.

Under the directives of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, ADEK has launched the Khotwa (RizeUp) scholarship programme for Emirati high school graduates with a minimum score of 65 per cent, to further enhance access to education opportunities and open new knowledge horizons for all. pic.twitter.com/pT3LDKed47

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) September 22, 2022

Read more: https://t.co/e3pH256H1f

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) September 22, 2022