The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has announced scholarships for applicants demonstrating excellence in Academic and Sports achievements. The scholarships, worth AED 748,000 ($203,260), will be available for students commencing their bachelors and masters degree studies at UOWD in September.

The scholarships will cover full tuition fees, excluding textbooks, accommodation and living expenses.

At the undergraduate level, high school leavers with outstanding academic records or sporting achievements can apply for up to four scholarships worth AED 500,000 ($135,870). The scholarships apply to degree courses in Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce (with specialisations in Management, Marketing, Accounting, Finance or HR Management), Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Internet Science and Technology.

At the postgraduate level, the scholarships are available to students undertaking the prestigious MBA or other specialized degrees in International Business, Quality Management, Strategic Marketing, Strategic Human Resource Management, Finance and Banking, Engineering Management and Information Technology Management (MITM).

The Outstanding Sports Achievement scholarships will be awarded to students on the basis of outstanding academic accomplishment, service to community and current sporting achievement at the representative level. Applicants must be current and selected representative members of a sport (individual or team) participating at the emirate/state, national or international level.

"Recognising and rewarding excellence is critical in encouraging young men and women to aspire for greater achievements, said Professor Nicholas van der Walt, CEO of UOWD. "Our scholarships reflect the importance we attach to academic and sporting excellence as we mould young men and women for challenging careers and business enterprises.

While urging eligible candidates to apply for the scholarships, Prof. Raed Awamleh, Dean of Academic Affairs, UOWD, remarked, "Apart from significant financial benefits, a scholarship at university represents a prestigious recognition of a students past achievements. Additionally, employers place major importance on scholarships, thus opening new avenues for students to distinguish themselves in future careers. The scholarships are also useful when applying for further studies.

The Academic and Sports Excellence scholarships at UOWD are awarded prior to the commencement of each Academic year. Students wishing to apply for the scholarships must submit all required documentation to the Registrar's Office, including the Scholarship "Personal Statement Form and certificates supporting their claim, by 6 September 2007.

Applicants should meet all academic and admission criteria to be admitted to UOWD and be intending to or have enrolled in the Autumn Session of the relevant year. The scholarship will not be transferable to the University of Wollongong in Australia.

The UOWD will shortly announce additional scholarships focused on community and industry partners as well as discount schemes for select group of corporates.

In a significant initiative to support UAEs efforts to groom future leaders of industry, University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), has announced annual Emirati Leadership scholarships for UAE nationals commencing the universitys postgraduate programs.

The scholarships will be awarded to Emiratis who demonstrate leadership potential and have an excellent record of academic accomplishment, service to the community and career achievement. The Scholarships will be awarded prior to the commencement of the start of the academic year (16 September). The scholarships apply to masters degrees in areas of International Business, Quality Management, Strategic Human Resource Management, Marketing, Finance and Banking, IT & Engineering Management and the prestigious MBA.

In addition, UOWD has also announced humanitarian and community scholarships open to students of all nationalities. These scholarships will be awarded to students who have excellent academic credentials, evidence of community service and whose economic circumstances do not permit pursuit of further education.

"As one of the oldest international universities in the UAE, UOWD is committed to supporting government initiatives designed to provide better higher education facilities for UAE nationals, said Professor van der Walt. "There is tremendous talent among UAE nationals and through these scholarships we are encouraging them to nurture their leadership qualities in a multi-cultural environment.

Fatma Al Hashemi, Project Manager at the Ministry of Finance & Industry and winner of the Emirati Leadership Scholarship in 2006, said, "Though I had a higher diploma in Software Engineering Technology and Bachelors in Business Information Technology, I was very keen to expand my knowledge. I chose to continue my study in Quality Management at UOWD. I benefited a lot from interaction with experienced and friendly instructors. I advise all Emiratis to pursue higher education, in keeping with the vision of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid to make Emiratis excellent professionals and entrepreneurs.

Amin Fikree, an Emirati student of Master of International Business and member of the UAE national billiards team, who won the sports excellence scholarship last year, said, "I am a firm believer that education is the key to unlocking the future that leads to success. It is truly a great honour to be awarded a scholarship by such a distinguished university. Through scholarships in leadership, sports and academic achievements, UOWD rewards outstanding students with the greatest gift of all - the gift of knowledge, from which comes power.

The Emirati Leadership scholarships come at a time when the UAE government is making tremendous efforts to raise the bar on education. Earlier this year, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched a US$ 10 billion foundation to boost education and human development in the Gulf.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders has launched a Dhs.700 million Islamic Fund to finance start-ups of young Emiratis. The goal is to groom over 200 young businesspeople in the first year and multiply that number by several times over in future.

The Emirati Leadership and Humanitarian/Community scholarships will cover full tuition fees of the selected candidates, excluding textbooks, accommodation and living expenses. Students wishing to apply must submit all required documentation to the Registrar's Office, including the Scholarship "Personal Statement Form and certificates supporting their claim, by 6 September 2007.