The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has announced a scholarship fund worth $293 million aimed at supporting Emirati students. Aligned with the Dubai Social Agenda 33, the fund will provide scholarships annually to the top 100 performing Emirati students in Dubai. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the importance of enhancing the capabilities of the youth to realize the future vision of a knowledge-based economy. He stated that by investing in the youth of Dubai today, they are laying the foundation for a prosperous and successful tomorrow.
The recipients of the fund encompass Emirati students seeking higher education opportunities at exceptional schools, both domestically and internationally, including renowned universities. The initiative seeks to provide scholarships to leading academic institutions that align with the workforce requirements of Dubai. Earlier this month, Dubai introduced a comprehensive social welfare strategy with a multibillion-dollar investment. The strategy aims to improve living standards, foster social cohesion and values, elevate healthcare and education quality, and facilitate the skills development of citizens.
Private education in Dubai is overseen by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, while the responsibility for public schools falls under the UAE Ministry of Education. Presently, over 90% of school education in Dubai is provided by the private sector, with 194 private schools offering 17 distinct curricula to a student population exceeding 280,000 and representing 182 nationalities. Additionally, Dubai hosts 26 international branch campuses of universities from 12 countries, including the UK, Australia, and India, serving over 30,000 students predominantly enrolled in business, engineering, and media & design programs. Established in 2006, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is tasked with advancing the education and human resource sectors in Dubai, overseeing the licensing of educational institutions.
