Topic: King Abdullah Scholarship Program

Specific Purpose: To inform to the audience about king Abdullah scholarship programand what are the goals of it.

Proposition: Since there are a lot of scholarships around the world, king Abdullah scholarship program has better benefits and valuable goals.

Introduction:

King Abdullah was born on 1 August 1924 in Riyadh. He was the tenth son of King Abdul-Aziz. He ascended to the throne on 1 August 2005 upon the death of his half-brother, King Fahd.  He was the King of Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2015.  King Abdullah made development a central focus of his reign. He initiated a range of major economic, social, education, health, and infrastructure projects that have brought about remarkable changes throughout the Kingdom. Also he started King Abdullah Scholarship Program, which provides the means to best world universities to pursue studies that lead to degrees (bachelors, masters and doctorate) and medical fellowship. Academic disciplines and scholarships are selected on the needs of government ministries, national corporations and the private sector.

Body:

When the program started:

The program started in 2005. On that time the Saudi ministry of higher education assigned team to evaluate the program and see the result of it, if it has many interests or not.  After finding out the improvement that graduated students made, the Saudi ministry of higher education decided to extend the program to 2020.

The program aims to Fulfill the requirements of work markets across the kingdom in regions, universities and industrial cities. Second, Promoting a high level of academic and professional standards through the scholarshipprogram. Third, Exchanging scientific educational and cultural expertise with various countries in the world. Fourth, Building qualified and professional Saudi cadres in work environment. Finally, Raising and developing the level of vocational professionalism of the Saudi cadres.

Eligibility:

According to Saudi ministry of higher education, there are two ways to join the program. First, you have to get at least 90% in high school, 80% in comprehensive exam, and 80% in QIYAS exam (SAT in USA). Second, you study at an accepted university by your own money and you complete 30 units then you submit a request with all your transcripts and you wait for the approval.

How many academic years they give you:

12 to 18 months to learn English. After you finish ESL they give up to 5 years if you study bachelors, 2 years for masters, and 4 years for doctorate. And if you could not finish it on time for some reason you can request an extension.

In which countries the students are studying:

According to AzamAldakhel the minister of higher education, the signed agreements with 30 countries such as United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Egypt, Canada, Gulf countries, China.

Statistics:

First, According to ministry of finance they assigned 10% of the financial budget of Saudi Arabia to the king Abdullah program. Second, According to LA times, the number of Saudi students in the U.S. last year grew to 75,566 - a nearly 30% increase from 2013. Third, According to the Washington post Saudi Arabia now ranks fourth as a student exporter to the United States. Finally, According to the Institute of international education, there are 10 times more Saudi students in the U.S. today than in 2000.

Some information about the program:

Each student has an advisor to check on him and to answer all questions. Also, Each   student has to send his transcript and new class registration to his advisor. Moreover, Your companions have opportunity to join the program when they complete the ESL program and they got full admission from the university. Finally, Students with high GPA which is about 3.5 in a semester, they car request a reward called dean list reward and it is $1500.

Conclusion:

King Abdullah scholarship program has a remarkable move that will help to improve the Saudi community in all aspects. Its valuable goal is to develop the country and to fulfill the requirements of work markets across the kingdom in regions, universities and industrial cities