International education company ICEF hosted an inaugural World Student Scholarship Education Programme in the Gulf, bringing together 100 scholarship providers with education institutions in 20 countries.

The first event welcomed 175 scholarship organisation representatives from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

“After months in the making, we couldn’t be prouder of the role the ICEF World Student Scholarship Education Programme has played in bringing together international education and scholarship professionals, all with the shared goal of supporting the best possible outcomes for students from the Middle East,” Markus Badde, CEO of ICEF, said in a statement.

Also in attendance was Her Royal Highness Princess Najoud bint Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from Saudi Arabia joining as a VIP. The event was broadcast on national news.

Among the 100 GCC scholarship providers joining the event were the Ministries of education and higher education from Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

A whole range of universities were also in attendance such as University of Bahrain, Qatar University, King Saud University, Sultan Qaboos University and University of Jeddah.

Over two days, more than 2,000 meetings took place which ICEF said will “go a long way in achieving the GCC’s long-term vision of investing in students”.

“There is clear linkage between Vision 2030 and international strategic thinking at the Ohio State”

“There is clear linkage between Vision 2030 and international strategic thinking at the Ohio State University,” said the institution’s vice provost for Global Strategies & International Affairs, Gil Latz.

Among the aims of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is to have at least five Saudi universities among the top 200 universities in international rankings. Additionally, it is seeking to “redouble efforts to ensure that the outcomes of our education system are in line with market needs”.

The vision also states that “scholarship opportunities will be steered towards prestigious international universities and be awarded in the fields that serve our national priorities”, as the country looks to focus on innovation in advanced technologies and entrepreneurship.

“We look forward to welcoming government and foundation sponsored students to our campus where talented students will learn, research, and engage on an array of topics to deepen understanding between the US and the Arab world,” Latz added.

Michael Armour from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge added that of five meetings in one afternoon at the event, he would be sending students to four “without a doubt”.

“All in all, I’ve found 80-100 student placements in the last 24 hours,” he said.

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