sheikh saqr overseas scholarship program · 2018-09-20 · section 1: overview of the scholarship...

Al Qasimi Foundation Policies & Procedures Manual

Sheikh Saqr Overseas Scholarship Program

Last Updated June 2015

Last Updated June 2015 Page 1 of 18

Purpose of the Manual

This document outlines the policies and procedures associated with the Sheikh Saqr Overseas

Scholarship Program. It guides the program’s overall administration and also serves as an important

resource for scholarship recipients as it outlines the expectations and responsibilities of students in

accepting a scholarship award.

For more information or questions related to the Scholarship Program, please contact the Sheikh

Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research:

Address: RAK Gas Building (Level 4)

P.O. Box 12050

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 7 233 8060

Fax: +971 7 233 8070

E‐mail: [email protected]

Website: www.alqasimifoundation.com


Table of Contents

1.

Overview of the Scholarship Program 3

Eligibility & Application Process

Source of Funding Gender & Nationality Type of Degree Countries of Study & Degree Topics Scholarship Application Process

4

44467

Selection Process 8

Scholarship Terms & Award Conditions

Attendance & Academic Progress Academic & Personal Codes of Conduct Communications Media & Publicity

9

9101111

Scholarship Payment Process

Scholarship Payment Process Scholarship Payment Scales Scholarship Bonus Payments

12

121314

Exceptions 15

Appendices 16


Section 1: Overview of the Scholarship Program

The Sheikh Saqr Overseas Scholarship Program was established to honor the legacy of Sheikh Saqr

bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, who was passionate about education and encouraging young people to

work hard and achieve their full potential.

The Scholarship Program provides supplemental funding for academically talented Emirati

youth and promising Emirati professionals from Ras Al Khaimah to pursue university studies

overseas at the undergraduate and graduate levels.1

The Al Qasimi Foundation manages all administrative and financial aspects of the

Scholarship Program and coordinates its efforts with the Ministry of Higher Education and

Scientific Research as well as the cultural attaché offices at United Arab Emirates embassies

abroad.

All overseas scholarships are awarded through a competitive process based on the strength

of applications and availability of funds.

1 Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study at universities in the United Arab Emirates are managed separately.

For additional information on local scholarships, please contact the Sheikh Saqr Program for Government Excellence:

(L) RAK Chamber of Commerce Building | (P) +971 7 227 5959 | (F) +971 7 227 5335 | (E) [email protected].


Section 2: Eligibility & Application Process

The Foundation offers academic scholarships to pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees

at high‐quality overseas universities. Students who meet the minimum eligibility criteria outlined in

this section are encouraged to apply for funding through the Scholarship Program:

2.1 Source of Funding

2.2 Gender & Nationality

2.3 Type of Degree

o Bachelor’s degree (2.3.1)

o Master’s degree (2.3.2)

o Doctorates PhD degree (2.3.3)

2.4 Countries of Study & Degree Topics

2.5 Scholarship Application Process

2.1 Source of Funding

The Scholarship Program provides supplementary funding for two (2) types of students:

Students sponsored by the United Arab Emirate’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific

Research (MOHESR); and 2

Students who are self‐funded and covering all expenses associated with their studies.

2.2 Gender & Nationality

All Emirati citizens and children of national mothers from Ras Al Khaimah are eligible for scholarship

consideration, regardless of gender, assuming all other eligibility criteria are met.

2.3 Type of Degree

The Scholarship Program is applicable toward both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Specific eligibility criteria based on type of degree being pursued.

2 The Sheikh Saqr Program for Government Excellence offers “The Special System for Distinguished Nationals,” a highly

selective and generous scholarship that can be used for overseas university studies. While this scholarship also requires

MOHESR sponsorship, students participating in the Special System are ineligible for the Foundation’s scholarship program

given the levels of funding and other benefits they already receive. Please contact the Sheikh Saqr Program for

Government Excellence for more information on the Special System scholarship, including eligibility, application process,

and award conditions. (L) RAK Chamber of Commerce Building | (P) +971 7 227 5959 | (F) +971 7 227 5335 | (E)

[email protected].


2.3.1 Bachelor’s Degree*

UAE citizen (or child of national mother) from Ras Al Khaimah;

Minimum score of 90% in the General Secondary Certificate Examination;

Minimum CEPA score of 150 in English and Mathematics;

Valid minimum TOEFL score of 550 or IELTS score of 6.0;

Non‐conditional admission acceptance to a university approved by the MOHESR;

Scholarship approval to study overseas from the MOHESR;

Study leave certificate stating the type of leave, duration, and whether leave is paid or

unpaid (if applicable); and

Successful interview with the Al Qasimi Foundation.

2.3.2 Master’s Degree*


Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA equivalent;


Admission acceptance to a university approved by the MOHESR;





2.3.3 Doctorate (PhD) Degree*


Master’s degree(s) with a minimum 3.0 GPA equivalent;


Copy of master’s final paper or dissertation;

Admission acceptance to a university approved by the MOHESR;





* Preference will be given to students who successfully complete the Sheikh Saqr Student

Enrichment Program (as applicable) and those who work with the Foundation in advance to identify

high quality programs and universities at which to seek admission based on their academic interests

and professional aspirations.


2.4 Countries of Study & Degree Topics

The Scholarship Program is applicable for degree programs offered at accredited universities in the

following countries:

United States

United Kingdom

Canada

Australia

Degree programs offered in countries beyond those listed above are generally not eligible for

scholarship support. Country exceptions may be made based on a student’s individual circumstances

and availability of desired degree program. Such exceptions are only made under special

circumstances and require a formal written petition (see Section 6: Exceptions).

Although students may choose to study any topic, scholarship priority is given to students pursing

degree programs that are of key interest and strategic importance to Ras Al Khaimah. Such topics

include economics, tourism, education, public health, urban planning, public affairs and

administration, etc. Scholarship priority is also shown to students who have identified degrees

where a topic or similar quality program is unavailable in the UAE.


2.5 Scholarship Application Process

The application form and additional information on the Scholarship Program is available on the Al

Qasimi Foundation’s website: www.alqasimifoundation.com. Students must submit a complete

application to be eligible for scholarship consideration.

A complete application includes the following documents:

Completed and signed Scholarship Program application form;

Current English CV (for Master’s and PhD applicants);

Scholarship Program application essay;

Valid passport copy;

Copy of the family book (Khulasat Al Qaid);

Copy of the United Arab Emirates Identity Card (Emirates ID);

Copy of grade 10, 11, and 12 certificates certified by the Ministry of Education;

Official university transcripts for all in‐progress coursework and degrees awarded;

Equivalency certificate letter for the latest degree approved by the Ministry of Higher

Education (for Master’s and PhD applicants, if applicable);


unpaid (as applicable);

Copy of official score reports for:

o TOEFL or IELTS

o CEPA exam

o All standardized tests required for admission (SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.)

All essays written as part of the university application process;

Admission letters for all universities to which the applicant was admitted;

Unconditional scholarship award letter from the MOHESR;

Recent passport‐sized photograph; and

Student’s local banking details (e.g. IBAN ‐ International Bank Account Number).

Additional application requirements for non‐UAE citizens with national mothers:

Valid copy of mother’s passport;

Valid copy of mother’s Emirates ID; and

Copy of the mother’s family book (Khulasat Al Qaid).

Applications are accepted and collectively reviewed twice each year for students about to begin (or

already enrolled in) an overseas academic program. Students should submit all required application

materials before the appropriate deadline:

August 15th (New Students)

January 15th (Currently Enrolled Students)


Section 3: Selection Process

The Foundation appoints a Scholarship Selection Committee to review all complete applications

each academic term:

The Selection Committee finalizes a list of recommended scholarship recipients based on the

strength of individual applications and availability of funds. This list is then submitted to

management for approval.

Management reviews the Selection Committee’s recommendations and approves or rejects

scholarship recipients. In some cases, management may decide to give conditional approval

and require that scholarship recipients meet specific criteria in order to continue receiving

the scholarship.

Students approved as scholarship recipients will receive an Award Contract outlining the

terms and conditions, amount, and duration of their scholarship awards.

The scholarship awards and associated payments will officially start after recipients sign

their contracts.

No back payments will be made for scholarship recipients who were already enrolled in a

university degree program at the time of their application.


Section 4: Scholarship Terms & Award Conditions

Once students sign the Award Contract with Foundation, they must follow the terms and conditions

of the scholarship award. Any violation of these terms and conditions could lead to temporary or

permanent suspension of scholarship payments. The length and nature of the suspension will be

determined by management based on a student’s individual circumstances and the terms and

conditions that are were met:

4.1 Attendance & Academic Progress

4.2 Academic & Personal Codes of Conduct

4.3 Communications

4.4 Media & Publicity

4.1 Attendance & Academic Progress

Scholarship recipients will actively participate in their program on a full‐time basis (includes

regular attendance to all class sessions, as applicable) to maintain satisfactory academic progress

toward degree completion during the Award Period.

Scholarship recipients will not change their courses of study or university without obtaining

written approval from the Foundation.

Scholarship recipients will seek approval from the Foundation, and if applicable the MOHESR,

before registering for any distance learning or online courses that would be used to meet degree

requirements.

Scholarship recipients will demonstrate strong academic performance and maintain a minimum

3.0 (B) GPA equivalent based on the university’s grading system throughout the Award Period.

Failure to do so may result in the temporary or permanent suspension of the scholarship, which

shall be at the Foundation’s discretion.

Scholarship recipients will provide the Foundation with copies of the following documents.

Failure to do so may result in the temporary or permanent suspension of scholarship payments:

o Transcripts at the end of each academic term;

o Monthly progress reports (master’s and doctoral students only – see Appendix A2);

o University degree(s) upon graduation; and

o Copy of the final thesis or dissertation (master’s and doctoral students only).

Scholarship recipients will inform the Foundation of all changes in circumstances during the

Award period, including contact details, employment status, and enrollment status. Failure to

inform the Foundation of changes in circumstances may lead to temporary or permanent

suspension of scholarship payments.


The Foundation is committed to supporting students’ academic success. Scholarship recipients

experiencing academic difficulties or wishing to change their enrollment status should notify

the Foundation as soon as possible to discuss available options, including potential exceptions

for continued eligibility. Situations where it is helpful to notify the Foundation early include:

o Being placed on academic probation or suspension by the university

o Reducing course loads to part‐time status

o Partial or full withdrawal from studies in the middle of an academic term

o Missing deadlines associated with approved graduate degree research plans

4.2 Academic & Personal Codes of Conduct

As ambassadors of Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE, scholarship recipients are expected to adhere

to the highest standards of ethical integrity for personal, professional, and academic conduct.

Scholarship recipients will abide by the university’s student conduct code and other academic

integrity policies, with particular attention to those that address questions of plagiarism.

Scholarship recipients agree to not submit or publish, in any form, someone else’s words, ideas,

phrases, citations, arguments or artistic/technical work as their own creation;

Scholarship recipients agree not to copy or paraphrase published or online material or another

person’s research, without properly specifying the source(s); and

The Foundation reserves the right to temporarily or permanently suspend scholarship payments

for personal, professional, and academic integrity or student conduct code violations. For

especially severe violations, the Foundation may require full or partial repayment of the total

amount awarded under Sheikh Saqr Overseas Scholarship Program. The decision to suspend or

require repayment of a scholarship award is at the sole discretion of the Foundation.


4.3 Communications

Scholarship recipients will ensure the Foundation always has their current local and international

contact information on file, including mailing address(es), phone number(s), e‐mail address(es),

and banking details.

Scholarship recipients will maintain regular communication with the Foundation throughout the

Award Period and will acknowledge and respond to all information requests in a timely

manner. Information requests may include (but are not limited to):

o Enrollment verifications

o Transcripts

o Monthly progress reports

o Scholarship recipient student profiles

o Participation in Sheikh Saqr Student Enrichment Program activities

If scholarship recipients do not respond to information requests within a reasonable period of

time, the Foundation reserves the right to temporarily suspend scholarship payments until the

information is received.

4.4 Media and Publicity

Scholarship recipients agree and consent to be profiled in Foundation communication materials

(including newsletters and website) to highlight their achievements and share their stories with

participants in the Sheikh Saqr Student Enrichment Program and broader community (see

Appendix A1: Student Profile Questionnaire).

Scholarship recipients agree to serve as a mentor and resource for future overseas scholarship

recipients both during and after the Award Period.

Scholarship recipients will abide by all laws and regulations in their countries of study. They will

represent Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE with the utmost integrity as a cultural ambassador.

Scholarship recipients will not publish any remarks on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or other social

media sites that are deemed defamatory to government and public organizations or that may

reflect negatively on the Foundation, the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, or the United Arab

Emirates and its citizens.


Section 5: Scholarship Payment Process

Scholarship payments are distributed on a regular (as opposed to lump sum) basis throughout the

Award Period based on the type of degree undertaken and duration of the academic program. The

maximum Award Period for different types of degrees:

Bachelor’s degree: maximum 5 years

Master’s degree: maximum 3 years

Doctoral or terminal professional degree: maximum 5 years

Other relevant policies and procedures related to scholarship payments are addressed in the

following sections:

5.1 Scholarship Payment Process

5.2 Scholarship Payment Scales

5.3 Scholarship Bonus Payments

5.1 Scholarship Payment Process

Scholarship payments are made for students pursuing degrees at overseas universities only (see

Section 2.4).

For scholarship recipients pursuing undergraduate degrees, payments are made on a monthly

basis during each academic term in which they are enrolled full‐time. Payments are generally

not provided during the summer months or extended university breaks. Scholarship recipients

may petition to have payments continue if they enroll in summer courses and provide

supporting documentation to this effect.

Given the more independent structure of master’s and doctoral programs (research as opposed

to coursework), scholarship recipients pursuing graduate degrees receive monthly payments

throughout the calendar year during their Award Period.

Assuming scholarship recipients remain in good academic standing and uphold the terms and

conditions of their Award Contracts, payments continue until the date of graduation or to the

end of the Award Period, whichever comes first.

Payments are in dirhams (AED) and are deposited directly into scholarship recipients’ UAE bank

accounts via electronic transfer.

Payments are generally made by the end of each month, and scholarship recipients will be

notified by e‐mail if a delay is expected.

If scholarship recipients are late in providing transcripts or responding to other information

requests, payments will be temporarily suspended until all requested documents are received.

Scholarship recipients will be notified by e‐mail if their scholarship is being temporarily

suspended and the reason for the suspension.


Suspended scholarships will be reinstated when scholarship recipients respond to outstanding

information requests, return to good academic standing, or fulfil the unmet terms and

conditions specified in their Award Contracts and this policy and procedures document.

Back payment of suspended scholarships is at the discretion of the Foundation. Generally,

recipients will receive back payments if it is the first time their scholarship was suspended and

reinstated. However, back payments would not be made in the future if the scholarship is again

suspended/reinstated for failure to respond to information requests.

Scholarship recipients may be eligible for bonus payments if they do exceptionally well during an

academic term or graduate with honors (see 5.3 Scholarship Bonus Payments).

5.2 Award Payment Scale

The amount of the monthly payment varies based on type of degree being pursued according to the

following scale:

Overseas Payment Scale

Type of the Degree Type of Funding Stipend Amount AED

Undergraduate Bachelor’sMOHESR 3,000

Self‐funded 3,000

Graduate

Master’s MOHESR 5,000

Self‐funded 5,000

Doctoral

(PhD)

MOHESR 5,000

Self‐funded 5,000


5.3 Award Bonus Payment

If scholarship recipients achieve a 3.7 GPA or above (or their university’s equivalent) at the end of an

academic term they are entitled to bonus payments based on the following scale:

Bonus Payment Scale

Type of the Degree Type of Funding Bonus Amount AED

Undergraduate Bachelor’sMOHESR 3,000

Self‐funded 3,000

Graduate

Master’s MOHESR 5,000

Self‐funded 5,000

Doctoral

(PhD)

MOHESR 5,000

Self‐funded 5,000

Bonuses are contingent on receiving academic transcripts in a timely manner, and scholarship

recipients will be notified via e‐mail if they qualify for the extra payment. Bonuses are generally paid

at the beginning of the next academic term when scholarship recipients receive their first normal

stipend.


Section 6: Exceptions

Any exceptions to the policies and procedures outlined in this document or to a scholarship

recipient’s Award Contract requires the express approval of Foundation management. Scholarship

applicants or recipients wishing to request an exception must file a petition in writing. Written

petitions must include:

Background on petitioner’s individual circumstances;

Exception being requested and why the exception is needed;

Supporting documentation from petitioner’s university, employer, and/or RAK government

leaders (as applicable); and

Other information requested by the Foundation.


Section 7: Appendices

Most appendices are internal working documents which are only applicable to scholarship

recipients. They also undergo regular revision. To request the most current version of an appendix

section listed below, please contact the Scholarship Associate at the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi

Foundation for Policy Research.

Administrative Forms

Student Profile Questionnaire Monthly Progress Report for Graduate Degree Scholarship Recipients

Appendix A

A1A2

Overseas Scholarship Application Appendix B

Award Contract Templates Appendix C

Confidentiality & Non‐Disclosure Template Appendix D


Appendix A1: Student Profile Questionnaire

This questionnaire should be completed when scholarship recipients sign their initial Award

Contracts and should be annually updated thereafter for the duration of the Award Period.

Scholarship recipients should type their answers in this form:

1. What is your name?

2. What was the name of your high school? In what year did you graduate?

3. As a student, how would you describe your social and academic interests?

4. What is the name of your current university/college? Where is it located (state/city/county)?

5. What is your current academic major? Why did you choose this major?

6. Why did you decide to attend university overseas?

7. Do you have any siblings/family members studying overseas?

8. In your opinion, what values and experience you have gained from studying overseas?

9. What are your favorite on‐campus activities?

10. What is your favorite memory or event from studying overseas?

11. What has been your favorite class in university? Why?

12. Please describe your goals and ideal job.

13. After graduation, what knowledge or skills will you will bring back with you to your country,

family, and friends?

14. Why would you advise students to study overseas?


Appendix A2: Monthly Progress Report for Graduate Degree Scholarship Recipients

All scholarship recipients who are pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree program must submit a

copy of their university‐approved research plan to the Foundation by the end of their first academic

term based on the Award Period specified in their Award Contract.

All scholarship recipients pursuing a graduate degree program that is not course‐based must submit

a monthly progress report to the Foundation. Scholarship recipients should type their answers:

Date:

Student Name:

Country of Study:

University Name:

Name and Type of Degree:

Have you submitted your research plan to the Foundation? Yes No

If no, when will you submit it? ________________________________________________________

If yes, what phase are you currently in? _________________________________________________

Please summarize your academic/research progress, including milestones and deliverables,

achieved in the past month:

Please summarize your academic/research plans for the coming month:

Any other information or updates you want to share with the Foundation:

I certify that the information I have provided in this report and attached documents is true and complete to the best of my

knowledge and represents my own work. I understand that giving false information or taking credit for someone else’s work

will disqualify my contract and may result in dismissal from the Sheikh Saqr Overseas Scholarship Program.

Student Signature: _______________________________ Date: ________________________

sheikh saqr overseas scholarship program · 2018-09-20 · section 1: overview of the scholarship...

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