Ministry of Higher Education: Acceptance of 2,704 students in the external scholarships program for the 2026/2027 academic year
The Ministry of Higher Education announced on Saturday the acceptance of 2,704 male and female students, graduates of the secondary education stage across various educational systems in government, private, and foreign schools, for the academic years 2024/2025 and 2025/2026, under the External Scholarships Plan for the 2026/2027 academic year.
In a press statement, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Badr Al-Busairi, said that the 2026/2027 External Scholarships Plan translates the directives of Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Nader Al-Jalal, aimed at enhancing the quality of scholarships and improving their outcomes through a review of the offered specializations.
Al-Busairi added that the plan gave greater priority to future and vital specializations, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and modern technologies, alongside medical and allied health fields, to help prepare national cadres possessing the skills and knowledge required for the upcoming stage.
He clarified that all stages of verification and sorting were conducted according to an integrated operational system, ensuring the integrity of procedures, speed of execution, and reinforcing the principles of governance, transparency, and fairness throughout all stages of the process.
Al-Busairi further stated that the selection among applicants was carried out in accordance with the controls and standards approved in the Scholarships Plan, which included the equivalent GPA for medical and engineering specializations, the secondary education percentage for other specializations, as well as the ranking of students’ preferences (up to a maximum of eight preferences) and the number of seats allocated at approved universities in scholarship destination countries.
Al-Busairi noted that the Ministry will organize an informational meeting for accepted students as part of the third phase of the national campaign “Wajihni” (Guide Me) on Monday and Tuesday, July 13 and 14, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, with participation from representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, and the Scholarships Sector within the Ministry. The aim is to prepare students for the transition to the scholarship stage, introduce them to post-acceptance procedures, and answer their inquiries. He confirmed that SMS messages will be sent to confirm attendance dates according to the approved schedule.
He urged accepted students to complete post-acceptance procedures within 60 days from the date of results announcement, ensuring that scholarship requirements are fulfilled within the specified deadlines. He also advised them to follow the Ministry’s official accounts to stay updated on instructions and developments related to the post-acceptance stage.
Al-Busairi emphasized that the scholarship journey is a national responsibility characterized by scientific excellence, innovation, and knowledge production, calling on students to make the most of the academic and research opportunities provided by global universities.
