In response to and to achieve the “National Agenda” recently launched by His Highness Sheikh “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum”, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of “Dubai”, which included seven goals to reach “UAE Vision 2021” on its golden anniversary, the “Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research” at the direction of his Excellency Sheikh “Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan” completed a specialized analytical study on scholar students abroad between the years (2005-2012), to support the Ministry in defining criteria for scholarships abroad, and link specialties that the scholars study with the national agenda.
His Excellency Sheikh “Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan” has instructed all departments to continue working, and conducting all the studies and research that will support and develop the mechanisms and possibilities of supplying the State with qualified national cadres, in all its sectors and areas, to achieve the seven objectives of the agenda, including projects in the sectors of education, health, economy, police, housing, infrastructure and Government services.
His Excellency is working to achieved that through two directions, the first is the accreditation of specialties and scientific programs in government and private universities in the State which fulfill the international standards and needed to build a base of qualified personnel, and the second is through awarding scholarships to Emirati students to the top universities around the world, to study the specialties required for building the nation and achieving sustainable development.
His Excellency said that the State has entered a new phase of sustainable building having achieved advanced indicators at the regional and international levels both in economic, social or humanitarian indicators, and that the most difficult stage is to preserve the gains that achieved security and prosperity for UAE citizens, and in keeping up with the rapid changes in technology to keep the UAE always on top.
The specialized analytical study on students studying abroad on scholarships resulted in several conclusions and recommendations, most importantly was his Excellency Sheikh “Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan” directing to study the real causes and solutions to the question of the canceling of the students scholarships, whether in undergraduate or Master’s degree, whether before or during the scholarship study period, as well as the implementation of laws and regulations against students who spend years in the study over their specified period, and not to extend the semesters unless the student has compelling reasons and circumstances, and to emphasize the need to pursue academic achievement during the scholarship and follow up on the quarterly and cumulative averages of students. (56.6%) of scholars studying for a Bachelor’s degree, and (45.17%) of scholars studying for a Master’s degree had canceled their scholarships during the years of the study.
The study also revealed that cancellation of the scholarship was higher for scholars who had received their degrees from governmental institutions before the scholarship rather than from private institutions, which requires a study with the “Ministry of Education” and review of the curricula of government institutions to develop it to keep pace with the curriculum of private institutions.
The percentage of students with a scholarship to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Health Sciences during the years of the study in Arab State universities (32.6%), and (12.8%) to study Engineering and Management Sciences, and (7.8%) to study Sharia and Law, in addition to nine other major specialties. While in the universities of foreign countries, Engineering topped with (31.77%), followed by Management Sciences (18.86%), and Finance and Banking (15.55%).
Education received the highest percentage of scholarships for Master’s degree in Arab universities with (22.2%) of total students, Medicine and Health Sciences (17.46%), and Law (17.46%), noting that there are ten others specialties. As for foreign countries topped the list Management Sciences with (31.1%), followed by the Medicine and Health Sciences with (12.6%).
Overall, the study found a decrease in the rate of scholars studying abroad in 2011 and 2012, prompting his Excellency Sheikh “Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan” to stress the need for concerted efforts and motivation of all relevant federal entities to encourage students to complete their higher studies, referring to the need to complement the survey data for research and analysis and taking action to overcome obstacles to achieve the primary goal of the scholarship program, he called on all the UAE media to play its role in this area.
