Saudi Arabia offers fully funded scholarships to Filipino students
MANILA: Saudi Arabia has opened 265 fully funded scholarships for Filipino students for the upcoming academic year, its ambassador to the Philippines announced on Wednesday, as a part of efforts to strengthen educational ties under Vision 2030.
The 'Study in Saudi' scholarship is open to all Filipinos, including those residing in the Kingdom, the Philippines, or elsewhere.
The program offers opportunities to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, arts and math fields. In addition courses are offered in social sciences, business administration, economics, agriculture, Arabic, political science, Islamic law, and media.
'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places great emphasis on international education as a foundation of its Vision 2030,' Faisal Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, the Kingdom's ambassador-designate to the Philippines, said during a press conference in Manila.
'The scholarships we are announcing today align with this strategic direction, which reflect the Kingdom's continued commitment to supporting higher education for Filipino students.
'A total of 265 fully funded scholarships are being offered, covering both undergraduate and graduate degrees.'
The courses are offered at 25 Saudi universities, including the nation's top academic institutions.
These include King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, King Saud University in Riyadh, Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa, as well Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University — the world's largest women's university, which is prominent in the fields of education and health.
'These opportunities will enable Filipino students to join prestigious Saudi universities, where they will study alongside peers from around the world in academic environments that seamlessly blend tradition and innovation — offering an enriching educational experience unlike any other,' Al-Ghamdi said.
'These scholarships go beyond tuition fees. They include financial stipends, accommodation, medical insurance, annual round-trip air tickets, and many other benefits that ensure students can focus entirely on their academic goals.'
Nearly 1 million Filipinos are living and working in Saudi Arabia, making up the sixth-largest expatriate community in the Kingdom.
Currently, more than 800 of them are enrolled in Saudi universities.
This ongoing partnership is exemplified by the presence of more than 806 Filipino students currently enrolled in Saudi universities across diverse programs.
'These students are benefiting from advanced learning opportunities and comprehensive care — a testament to the Kingdom's unwavering dedication to international students,' Al-Ghamdi said.
He added that the scholarship, which aims to connect young people from both countries, helps in 'strengthening cultural and intellectual ties and reaffirming the Kingdom's commitment to supporting education in friendly countries.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
27 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israel Minister Says 'We Will Build Jewish Israeli State' in West Bank
Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Friday to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the occupied West Bank, a day after the government announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the Palestinian territory. Israeli settlements in the West Bank, seen as a major obstacle to lasting peace, are regularly condemned by the United Nations as illegal under international law, and Thursday's announcement drew sharp foreign criticism. "This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land -- and it is also a clear message to (French President Emmanuel) Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper -- but we will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground," Katz was quoted as saying Friday in a statement from his office. "The paper will be thrown into the trash bin of history, and the State of Israel will flourish and prosper." Katz was speaking during a visit to the Sa-Nur settlement outpost in the northern West Bank. Sa-Nur was evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel's disengagement from Gaza, promoted by then prime minister Ariel Sharon. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. During a visit to Singapore on Friday, French President Macron asserted that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity". An international conference meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is set to take place in June at the UN headquarters in New York. A diplomat in Paris close to preparations for the conference said it should pave the way for more countries to recognize a Palestinian state. Macron said in April that France could recognize a Palestinian state in June. Following Israel's announcement of the new settlements on Thursday, Britain called the move a "deliberate obstacle" to Palestinian statehood, while UN chief Antonio Guterres's spokesman said it pushed efforts towards a two-state solution "in the wrong direction".
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Maldives president hails Makkah Route Initiative as symbol of Saudi Arabia's leadership
RIYADH: President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has hailed Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route Initiative as a symbol of the Kingdom's service to Islam and Muslims. 'Their leadership of the Islamic world represents an exemplary model of giving, unity, and service, not only at the two holy mosques but throughout the entire Islamic world, confirming the Kingdom's pivotal role in leading with wisdom and mercy in serving Islam,' he said at the launch of the initiative in his country recently. Muizzu added: 'For the first time, Maldivian pilgrims will benefit from this pioneering initiative, designed by Saudi Arabia under its wise leadership and generously provided within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program emerging from Saudi Vision 2030,' he explained. The initiative enables the completion of all passport, customs and health screening procedures from the departure point — Velana International Airport. Muizzu thanked Saudi Arabia's ministries of interior, Hajj and Umrah, as well as other organizations for their assistance. 'We renew our great gratitude and appreciation for the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia, and look forward to enhancing cooperation and joint work under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his crown prince for the good of the entire Islamic nation.' The initiative is now operating in eight countries, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco and the Ivory Coast.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Philippines looks to deepen trade, business ties with UAE
MANILA: The Philippines is ready to deepen its economic partnership with the UAE, Manila's special envoy has said, as the visit of a business delegation from Dubai concluded this week. Dubai Chambers organized a business forum in Manila on Wednesday as part of its 'New Horizons' initiative. With its delegation visiting the Philippine capital, the business body had organized at least 180 bilateral meetings. The event also saw Dubai Chambers and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry sign a preliminary agreement aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties through various efforts, including sending trade missions and organizing business-matching missions. 'The Philippines is open, ready, and eager for stronger trade and business ties with the UAE,' Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, the Philippines' special envoy to the UAE for trade and investment, said during the forum. 'Last year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UAE — a golden milestone. Today, we look ahead with even more optimism.' The UAE is a key trading partner of the Philippines in the region. In 2023, non-oil bilateral trade between the Philippines and the UAE reached over $1 billion. The Gulf state also ranked as the Philippines' top export market among the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, and its 17th largest trading partner globally. It is also home to the second-largest Filipino diaspora after Saudi Arabia, with some 700,000 overseas Filipino workers living and working in the UAE. Many are employed in the construction, healthcare and hospitality sectors. 'This upward trend will only continue, especially with the anticipated signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the Philippines and the UAE next month,' Yu-Pimentel said. 'This will be historic in the sense that it will be our first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country.' The expected development will follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s first trip to Abu Dhabi in November, during which he met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. The two leaders committed 'to deepening cooperation in various areas, including economy, trade and sustainability' during their meeting, which included discussions on the bilateral trade agreement. Negotiations on the free trade deal have been underway between Philippine and UAE officials since the beginning of 2024.
