KAUST and Islamic Development Bank launch joint PhD Scholarship Program
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia – A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed this week between the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to launch a joint Ph.D. scholarship program for students from around the world.
Under the program, students from IDB member and non-member countries will be accepted at KAUST for a full-time 4-year Ph.D. Program. The MOU was signed by IDB President, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, and University President, Professor Choon Fong Shih, during a ceremony at KAUST. The program will be effective beginning in the next academic year (2012-2013).
The IDB launched its own Merit Scholarship Program in 1993 as part of its Science and Technology Program to help member countries and their institutions in developing high-quality graduates. So far, 760 scholarships have been awarded to nationals of 50-member countries.
President Shih said: "The University is excited to launch this important initiative and cultivate relationships with institutions such as IDB, who strongly promote scientific education and research to catalyze development for the future progress of its member countries. We believe that the KAUST-IDB scholarship recipients can benefit from the international faculty and research centers at KAUST and take part in innovative research of global significance."
KAUST emphasizes research in the fields of food, new and renewable energies, water research, advanced materials, catalysis, scientific services, materials engineering, and nanotechnologies.
When asked about partnering with KAUST, Dr. Ali said: "We are delighted to partner with KAUST, and to share the IDB commitment of providing equal opportunities for students to do graduate studies. Through this partnership, we hope to achieve economic growth and eventually create a knowledge-based society for the 56 IDB member countries. "
Dr. Abdullah I. Almojel, Vice President of University Development added: "KAUST is happy to be part of a historic higher-education partnership between the IDB. This partnership is about changing people's lives and expanding the horizons of talented individuals from disadvantaged situations, and helping them to see many future possibilities and become a catalyst of change."