The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation today announced that 60 young men and women from across the Arab World have been awarded Fellowships to attend elite postgraduate studies for the fall 2008 academic session, as part of its Fellows Programme that seeks to build the knowledge capabilities of the Arab world.
The fellows will pursue degrees in Business Administration (MBA) Public Administration (MPA), Public Policy (MPP) and Finance at premier international universities including University of Cambridge, University of Chicago, Harvard University, INSEAD, London School of Economics, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, IESE, Monash University, London Business School, New York University, SciencesPo, University of Melbourne and Cranfield University.
�The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fellows Programme’ will cover all costs related to their education including tuition, books, accommodation, stipend and travel for the duration of their study program.
Upon completion of their studies, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fellows will return to the Arab world to take up employment.
Mustafa Al Ansari, Vice President, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation- Operations said: ‘Investing in equipping the right calibre of young people with further know-how will drive development efforts across the Arab world, a top priority for the Foundation.’ Janine El Tal, Director of Knowledge and Education, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation added: ‘The Arab World has long suffered from the brain drain phenomenon, which has deprived the region from qualified individuals, dramatically hampering development efforts across its countries. The Fellows Programme seeks to reverse this situation, ensuring better opportunities for retaining talented youth to foster Arab development.’ Saleh Abu Kamel, a recipient of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fellowship who will proceed with his Master of Public Policy at Harvard, said: ‘The scholarships have offered Arab youth, like me, an unprecedented opportunity to pursue higher education at the most prestigious universities of the world. In doing so the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation is not only helping fulfil the dreams and ambitions of a whole generation but also ensuring that we return to the Middle East and apply the skills that we have learned to ensure the betterment and development of the region as a whole.’ Narmine Marzouk, another recipient who will pursue Masters of Science in Finance and Management at Cranfield University, agreed with Saleh and went on to say ‘The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation program is a truly unique initiative that will also help foster the skills and promise of young Arab leaders and in doing so ultimately bring about a positive change in the Arab world. I am both happy and honoured to have been selected and look forward to returning from my studies with the necessary skills to become a part of that change.’ Launched last December, the highly competitive Fellows Programme guarantees the transfer of knowledge and expertise to the region. It also helps minimize the negative impact of brain drain on the development potential of the Arab world.
WAM
