Thuwal - Sunday 03 June 2012. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today between the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to launch a joint Ph.D. scholarship program within the scope of the IDB Merit Scholarship Program. The program will be effective from the academic year 2012-2013. Under the Program, students from IDB member and non-member countries will be accepted at KAUST for full time 4-year Ph.D. Program in science and
technology fields of study.
The Mou was signed by the IDB President, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, and KAUST President, Prof. Choon Fong Shih, at KAUST campus in Thoual, 100 km North of Jeddah.
The IDB launched its very own Merit Scholarship Program in 1993 as part of its Science and Technology Program to help the IDB member countries and their institutions in developing high quality and hi-tech human resources in science and technology areas that they are lacking but crucial for their development. Up to now, 760 scholarships have been awarded to nationals of 50 member countries.
When asked about partnering with KAUST, IDB President said, “We are delighted to partner with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, sharing IDB commitment of providing equal opportunities for students to do graduate work in the field of science and technology. Through this partnership, we hope to achieve economic growth and eventually creating knowledge-based society for the IDB (56) member countries. ”
On his part, Prof. Choon Fong Shih elaborated saying, “the University is eager to launch this important initiative, to foster relationship with an Institution such as Islamic Development Bank which is strongly promoting scientific education and research to catalyze development for future progress of its member countries. We believe that the scholars could benefit from the world class faculty and research centers established at KAUST to bring about innovative research that could be of global
significance.”
KAUST emphasizes research in the fields of food, new and renewable energies, water research, advanced materials, catalysis, scientific services, materials engineering, and nanotechnologies.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdullah I. Almojel, Vice President of University Development explained that " KAUST team is happy to be part of a historic higher education partnership between our University and the IDB. It's about changing people's lives and expanding the horizons of bright and talented individuals from disadvantaged situations, to see the road ahead with a lot of possibilities and to be a catalyst of change.”