The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is offering 265 fully-funded scholarships
for Filipino students to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in its universities this year.
Ambassador-designate Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi said the Saudi government will provide the Filipino scholars with financial stipends, accommodation, medical insurance, and annual round-trip air tickets, among others.
Aside from their academic studies, Alghamdi said the scholars will also take part in cultural and community activities to promote inter-cultural dialogues.
“These scholarships serve as a strong bridge between the youth of our two nations, strengthening cultural and intellectual ties and reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting education in friendly countries,” Alghamdi said in a speech in Makati during the Study in Arabia event.
He said the scholarship is part of the program inked by Riyadh and Manila that has been ongoing for 30 years now.
“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,” the envoy added.
The embassy said the scholarship will be available to Filipino applicants aged 17 to 25 for the Bachelor’s Degree and Diploma in Arabic Studies, while the doctorate program will be open to those aged 35 and younger.
It said that Filipinos outside of the kingdom who want to avail of the scholarship have until June 14 to apply for the bachelor’s degree, and October 31 for the doctorate degree.
Meanwhile, Filipinos residing within the kingdom who want to avail of the scholarship program have until July 31 to apply for the bachelor’s program, and October 31 for the doctorate degree.
The scholars will received a monthly stipend amounting to 800 to 2,000 Saudi riyals per month(P11,841 to P29,602 in Philippine peso), depending on the degree program they will take.
The embassy said the schools participating in the scholarship program are the following: Al-Baha University, Bisha University, Hafr Al Batin University, Ha’il University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Imam Mohammad University, Islamic University of Madinah, Jazan University, Jeddah University, Jouf University, King Abdulaziz University, King Faisal University, King Khalid University, King Saud University, Majmaah University, Najran University, Northern Border University, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Princess Nourah University, Qassim University, Saudi Electronic University, Shaqra University, Tabuk University, Taibah University, Taif University, and Umm Al-Qura University.
The courses open to scholars include politics, law, education, business administration, economics, engineering and natural sciences, computer science, agriculture, Shariah and Arabic, and media.
