UAE scholarship shake-up: 8 new countries added to priority list
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- The UAE's Ministry of Higher Education released Ministerial Resolution No. (179) of 2026, overhauling the national scholarship programme for Emirati students
- Eight countries including China, Japan, Germany and Singapore were named as priority scholarship destinations under the new framework
- Eight fields of study tied to the UAE's economic future, including energy, technology and healthcare, will receive preference in funding decisions
The UAE's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has restructured its national scholarship programme through a new ministerial resolution, tying funding decisions far more closely to the country's long-term economic ambitions.
Ministerial Resolution No. (179) of 2026, announced on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, introduces a single unified framework that governs all conditions, requirements and procedures for the national scholarship scheme, replacing what had previously been a more fragmented system.
Who Gets Priority Under the New Rules
Gulf News reported that certain groups of applicants will receive preferential consideration during selection.
These include children of martyrs, students benefiting from social support programmes, and those residing in remote areas of the country.
Academic performance, the chosen discipline, institutional quality and the type of admission offered will all factor into the evaluation process. "This approach aims to ensure that scholarships are directed towards the most deserving and qualified national talent," the ministry said.
Eight Countries Approved as Scholarship Destinations
The resolution designates eight countries as priority destinations for Emirati students studying abroad: China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Finland.
The ministry described the selection as a deliberate effort to expand opportunities at top global academic institutions capable of equipping students for a knowledge-based economy.
Institutions in those countries must still satisfy updated ranking thresholds. Universities placed in the global top 50 for a specific subject qualify regardless of their overall standing.
For the United States and Australia, institutions must rank within the top 100 for both subject-specific and overall categories.
Other English-speaking countries require a top 200 position in both areas, while non-English-speaking destinations must fall within the top 300.
Priority Fields of Study
Eight disciplines have been identified as areas of strategic importance: energy, transport and logistics, technology and engineering, healthcare, water and the environment, creative industries, science, and finance.
Each corresponds directly to sectors the UAE considers central to its future development.
The ministry stated that the resolution builds on existing federal laws and Cabinet decisions, with the broader aim of improving government spending efficiency and raising the overall standard of academic programmes accessible to Emirati students.
Source: Legit.ng
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.