WAM Abu Dhabi, May 9th, 2012 (WAM) -- The Emirates Foundation today launched the third round of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Higher Education Grant to support select graduates from the Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses of the Zayed University.

The five-year programme was instituted in May 2011 with a vision to furthering the UAE's efforts of shaping a knowledge-based economy.

Under the programme, full master's or doctoral scholarships will be awarded to applicants for enrolling into leading universities across the UAE and overseas for highly sought-after programmes in education, social studies, tourism, science majors, museum and curatorial studies, as well as healthcare and public administration.

Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Programme Officer at Emirates Foundation, said: "It is crucial that we continue to invest in the future through efforts that inspire the cultivation of high academic standards. The scholarships will assist the UAE's most talented students to receive quality education and prepare them for leadership roles that guide the country into a brighter future." Dr. Jeffrey Belnap, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Zayed University, said: "Scholarships are awarded to academically exceptional students. Their maturity and growth is reflected in their statement of purpose and through their participation in extracurricular community or university activities." The grants will cover tuition fees for students studying at selected universities in the UAE. For overseas grants, tuition fees plus travel and living allowances will be awarded. Students applying to a university for a master's degree or PhD studies in 2012, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above and an IELTS of 6.0 or equivalent, are eligible for the grant and can apply via the Emirates Foundation website (www.emiratesfoundation.ae) from 10 May - 10 June, 2012.

The scholarship is open to candidates between the ages of 21 and 31 years. In addition to holding a degree from Zayed University, the applicants should have been accepted by or in the process of enrolling into one of the universities within the UAE, or the world's top 200 universities that are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Since the programme's launch in May 2011, a total of 22 outstanding Zayed University graduates have been supported by the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Higher Education Grant to continue their studies.

WAM/AM