Undersecretary of Higher Education: 2,704 students accepted into the 2026/2027 External Scholarships Program

Dr. Badr Al-Basiri, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, announced in a press statement the results of the accepted candidates for the External Scholarships Plan for the academic year 2026/2027. A total of 2,704 students, both male and female, from the secondary school graduates of the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic years across various educational systems in government, private, and foreign schools, were accepted.

On this occasion, Dr. Al-Basiri extended his sincerest congratulations and best wishes to the accepted students and their parents, praying to Almighty Allah to grant them success and guide their steps at the beginning of an academic stage that represents a pivotal milestone in building their scientific and professional futures. He emphasized that the scholarship journey is a national responsibility characterized by scientific excellence and innovation.

Dr. Al-Basiri also affirmed that the External Scholarships Plan for the academic year 2026/2027 translates the directives of Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Nader Al-Jalal toward enhancing the quality of scholarships and improving their outcomes. This is achieved by reviewing the offered specializations and giving greater priority to future-oriented and vital fields, foremost among them artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and modern technologies, alongside medical and allied health specialties. These measures aim to prepare national cadres equipped with the skills and knowledge required for the coming stage.

Al-Basiri clarified that the Ministry was keen on managing all stages of verification and selection according to an integrated operational system, ensuring the integrity of procedures, expediting completion, and reinforcing the principles of governance, transparency, and fairness throughout all stages of the process.

He noted that the Ministry will organize an orientation meeting for the accepted candidates as part of the third phase of the national campaign “Wajihni” (Guide Me) on Monday and Tuesday, the 13th and 14th of the current month. The event will feature representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, and the Scholarships Sector within the Ministry, with the aim of preparing students for the transition to the scholarship stage, informing them of post-acceptance procedures, and answering their inquiries. He confirmed that text messages will be sent to confirm attendance dates according to the approved schedule.

Dr. Al-Basiri called on accepted students to complete post-acceptance procedures within 60 days from the date of the results announcement, ensuring that all scholarship requirements are fulfilled within the specified deadlines. He also urged them to follow the Ministry’s official accounts to stay updated on instructions and developments related to the post-acceptance phase.