Best Emirati students to get scholarships

Dubai - The Taaleem Group has launched a series of scholarships to benefit UAE students at different stages and curricula in all its schools.

Two of the UAE's biggest education providers have stepped forward to offer scholarships to top-performing Emirati students in the country, and more schools are being encouraged to follow in their footsteps.
In support of the recently announced Mohammed bin Rashid Distinguished Students Programme, the Taaleem Group has launched a series of scholarships to benefit UAE students at different stages and curricula in all its schools, and Gems Education also pledged its support to educate the best of the best among Emirati students.
The programme - announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai last month during the Future Dialogue session to discuss the Dubai 2021 Plan - gives Emirati students the opportunity to join the best private 'outstanding' and 'very good' schools in Dubai.
"I thought of providing this programme for distinguished students, as with them, we will have strong arms in the future, and with them we complete the progress of the country," Sheikh Mohammed had previously said.
At that time, he called on Dubai's top schools to host distinguished students during the next academic year (2017-2018), and soon after these two big players in education stepped forward.
Speaking about the programme, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said that the support of Taaleem and Gems, would count as a positive step to continue providing high quality education to Emirati students.
"By bringing together the public and private sector to empower Emirati students, we will positively contribute towards UAE's national agenda goals. We will work to ensure the success of the distinguished students programme by providing systematic frameworks that promote positive participation by educators and students alike."
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Distinguished Students Programme is the first of its kind in the UAE and aims to prepare a growing Emirati generation by combining innovative, smart and positive educational practices.
The programme is part of a series of strategic programs led by the KHDA in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Executive Council and Knowledge Fund.
Fatma Al Marri, CEO of Dubai School Agency, congratulated Taaleem and Gems Group for supporting the programme and said by encouraging private schools to take up a greater role, "we are working towards creating a well-informed Emirati generation".
Speaking on behalf of Taaleem, Ros Marshall, Chief Executive Officer said it was proud to be a part of this "ground-breaking initiative".
"This scheme will positively impact the lives of young Emiratis and their families, so they may contribute to the future leadership, prosperity and success of this country."
Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman Gems Education, said: "We are privileged and honoured to be able to commit to this endeavor by placing exceptional Emirati students across the portfolio of schools we have in the UAE."
Criteria for distinguished students scheme
KHDA has identified a number of criteria that enable Emiratis to join the distinguished students programme starting mid-April 2017:
> The student must be a citizen of the emirate of Dubai, studying in a public or private school
> He/she must be a part of continuous study/schooling
> He/she should pass written tests and oral interviews set by the evaluation committee
> He/she must register in one of the participating schools through the KHDA website
How can schools contribute to the programme?
The private school should have a very good or outstanding rating by KHDA's Dubai School Inspection Bureau, and provide a curriculum for Arabic and Islamic studies.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com