WAM Abu Dhabi, July 4th, 2012 (WAM) -- The Scholarship committee at the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) held a meeting with regard to establishing a framework for scholarships and study leaves, pursuant to the decree issued by the Executive Council last June.

The decree entitles ADEC to manage and control scholarships and leaves within UAE and abroad in line with Abu Dhabi Government vision aiming to provide students with world-class educational opportunities in order to allow them to pursue their higher education.

Mona Majed Al-Mansouri, Division Manager of Guidance and Scholarships at ADEC lauded the great support extended by UAE prudent leadership which focuses on providing UAE students with the best educational opportunities at local as well as international levels. "Allocating an additional budget of AED 197 m. to be spent over the coming four years on scholarship programs will help increase the number of scholarship students, enhance UAE capabilities and establish local competencies that would meet labor market needs", he added.

Al-Mansouri also pointed out that ADEC scholarship committee will develop a strategy and general policy proposals on scholarships, scholarship-related regulations '&' decisions, countries '&' institutions of higher education, disciplines '&' majors required, terms '&' conditions, financial allowances, benefits, academic reports review '&' follow-up process, discontinuation, extension and recommendations.

During the meeting, scholarships strategy and general policy, interviews scheduling, increasing scholarship opportunities to accommodate a larger number of students with special needs and sending them to specialized universities and educational institutions to help them pursue their studies, were discussed.

The committee mandates include managing all the academic programs, study leaves, general requirements for all Abu Dhabi Government employees, monitoring the scholars' obligations after completion of study and obtaining their degree, developing standards '&' criteria including GPA requirement, financial allocations, remuneration '&' benefits and any other functions assigned by the Council. The Committee has the right to accept or reject any scholarship or study leave in accordance with the applicable rules '&' regulations and its recommendations are submitted to ADEC's Director General for approval.

WAM/ES/AM