bidaya announces 20 future leaders as successful candidates complete interviews
Major interests range from architecture, engineering, criminal law, medicine, journalism, human resources and information technology
Bidaya, the AED 30 million education and leadership programme from Zabeel Investments and Nakheel, has concluded the interview and decision process with regards to selecting the 20 students who will go forward for the first year of the programme. More than 450 students applied for the programme, with 85 meeting the outlined criteria. All the shortlisted students were interviewed, out of which the 20 were selected.
Bidaya was launched in April under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Executive Council of Dubai. As a first of its kind initiative in the region, the programme is offering university scholarships annually to outstanding candidates from public high schools throughout the UAE.
The female recipients are Ms. Alya Abdulla Mohammed Rahma Al Shamsi, Ms. Ameera Hussain Ibrahim Mohamed Karam, Ms. Asma Al Zaabi, Ms. Ayesha Salem Al Suwaidi, Ms. Fatema Mubarak Salem O. S. AlWali Alali, Ms. Fatma Khalifa Rashid Humaid, Ms. Huda Ali Saaed Rashid Al Hufaiti, Ms. Huda Yousef Jassim Bu Al Hamam Al Noaimi, Ms. Marwah Abdulla Mohamed A.Hussain Al Madhani, Ms. Maryam Ali Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Rais, Ms. Maryam Matar Saeed Matar Badi Al Muhairi, Ms Maryam Saeed Al Shamsi and Ms. Mona Khalifa Obaid Mohammed Hammoudi.
While the male recipients are Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah Mahmoud Al Zarouni, Mr. Abdullah Ali Al Naqbi, Mr. Bader Abdulrahman Abdulla Naqi, Mr. Munther Rashed Saeed R Falah Al Kanbooli, Mr. Omar Mohamed Rashed Mohamed Al Reyami, Mr. Saleh Saeed Saleh Al Shehi and Mr. Sultan Ahmed Hashem Y. Al Awadi.
Combined, the students have an overall average graduating percentage of 95.02%, with a majority looking to study either medicine or engineering; careers options, which supports the findings from the research conducted by the Bidaya programme in partnership with YouGov Siraj.
Amina Taher, Executive Director of Corporate Communications at Zabeel Investments, said: “The calibre of these young men and women that we have met over the last three weeks has been incredible; making our final decisions was complicated. We wanted to make sure that our students performed academically, but also participated in activities both as part of their schools and their communities. In addition, we wanted to see that they possessed leadership potential, which over the next four years we will be developing through a series of programmes and training.”
Selection was based on a combination of four factors: academic performance, demonstrated leadership, strength of personalities and attitudes, as well as future potential. Bidaya’s four-year programme has been tailored to provide a fertile environment for developing leadership. Starting at the undergraduate level, Bidaya will offer financial support as well as provide students with leadership development programmes. “Choosing from the female applicants was harder, as they all demonstrated excellent leadership skills, as well as strong academic performance,” Taher continued.
The 20 students, 13 females and seven males are representative of the UAE, with seven students coming from Ras Al Khaimah, three from Dubai, three from Fujairah, three from Sharjah, one from Abu Dhabi, one from Ajman and one from Umm Al Quwain. There choice of majors is also quite diverse, in that they include architecture, chemical engineering, criminal law, medicine, print journalism, human resources and information technology, to name a few.
Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Bidaya Programme Manager, echoed Amina Taher’s comments, and added: “The enthusiasm and dedication we have witnessed during the interviews has been tremendous. These youths really want to make a contribution to the future of the country; they are keen to play their role in society and will take any opportunity, as long as they can get the right type of support.”
During the summer months a number of the students will sit for their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before the start of the new academic year. The students are now in the process of booking or confirming places with one of the Bidaya partner universities, including the American University in Dubai (AUiD), American University of Sharjah (AUS) or Sharjah University.
Taher concluded: “We are very proud of the candidates we have selected; they are distinct personalities that bring something special to the mix. Their individual stories and inspirations are encouraging and endearing. We feel they are the best representation of young UAE nationals, and we look forward to developing their skills and honing their talents in the coming years.”
