ADU pledges over Dh5.5m to scholarships

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has dedicated Dh5,579,950 to be spent on scholarships and financial aid during the first semester of the academic year 2013- 2014, to benefit students enrolled to study at the ADU\'s Abu Dhabi and Al Ain campuses.
The move follows ADU\'s continuous efforts to provide world-class education to the most academically and financially deserving students.
ADU\'s scholarship programme is divided into five categories that offer a wide range of options to students through: the \"H. H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan scholarship\", the Chairman\'s scholarship, the University scholarship, the Academic scholarship, the Athletic scholarship and the financial aid programme\"Sanabil\".
Dr. Nabil Ibrahim, ADU\'s Chancellor, explained that the amount the university has dedicated for the programmes during the first semester of this academic year was allocated only after a specialised committee carefully reviewed and assessed student applications for scholarships and financial aid.
\"This amount will enable 284 students in need of financial assistance to benefit from the University\'s financial aid programme \"Sanabil\", while 404 students get to benefit from our diverse scholarship programmes, which were designed to encourage academic performance, and contribute to grooming a qualified cadre of specialists who have received world class education at ADU in various fields that will empower the UAE\'s labour market\", added Ibrahim.
He pointed out that the scholarship programmes offered by ADU are divided into five categories. Chief among them is the H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi University\'s Board of Trustees scholarship, which is awarded to the 20 top scoring students from Grade 12, and covers tuition, University Fees, and the English Language Institute courses, and is awarded for four full years or upon graduation.
Ibrahim pointed out that students who receive this scholarship must be committed to maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.70, and a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester as well as meet the English Language Proficiency Requirements defined by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to continue their scholarship.
\"The Chairman\'s Scholarship is awarded to students who can demonstrate outstanding academic records, offering them a 100 per cent waiver on tuition and university fees. Students eligible to receive this scholarship are those who have obtained an average grade of 97 per cent during the last three years (grades 10, 11, 12) of secondary education, and who have met the English Language Proficiency Requirements defined by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. However; to maintain the scholarship students will have to achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.60 and a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester\", said Ibrahim.
The 3rd category of ADU\'s scholarship programs is the University Scholarship which is offered to first year students who graduate from secondary school with a high level of academic distinction. \"Secondary school graduates with an average of 95 - 100 per cent may receive a scholarship with a value of up to 30 per cent of the tuition, and if their average ranges from 90 - 94.99 per cent they may receive up to 20 per cent tuition scholarships. Students who maintain a distinguished level of academic standing may qualify for the Academic scholarship\", clarified Ibrahim.
He added that the Academic Scholarship is available to continuing students who maintain a high level of academic distinction, offering them 20 per cent waiver on tuition, and eligible students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.7 for two consecutive semesters, with at least 12 credit hours per semester. \"As for the Athletic Scholarship, it is awarded to applicants with outstanding athletic skills who participate regularly in the University\'s sport activities; those students will receive up to 25% waiver on their tuition fees, provided they maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.5 and 12 credit hours per semester\", concluded Ibrahim.
As for financially challenged students, Abu Dhabi University also offers its students the benefit of financial aid program \"Sanabil\" which enables them to benefit from financial assistance after a comprehensive study of their social conditions. Financial support for students of this program may range from 10 to 50 per cent of the value of tuition fees provided the students have acquired a minimum of 70 per cent on final exams of their secondary education and a CGPA of 2.5 for continuing students at ADU.
Source: WAM