The Abraaj Group, a leading investor operating in global growth markets, and the Royal College of Art (RCA) have launched the Abraaj RCA Innovation Scholarship programme in London.

For the next five year, Abraaj will support five outstanding individuals each year from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Turkey and Central Asia as each pursues his or her creative aspirations at the RCA.

The initiative will foster opportunity, empower potential, and provide contemporary practitioners with the resources they need to develop their talent, said a statement.

Each student will be enrolled full-time in Masters of Arts programmes in design and the arts, with the first group of scholars from India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Thailand, and Turkey beginning their studies this month, who will also receive full payment of their tuition fees as well as living expenses.

The mission of the scholarship programme is to create a unique community of creative leaders who share the values, integrity, and social responsibility upheld by Abraaj and the RCA. They will in turn use the transformative powers of their RCA education to positively impact the life and culture of their home countries.

Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Culture is for everyone. So I’m a firm supporter of anything that helps people with the potential to engage with the arts, cultural and creative industries to do so.

“The Abraaj RCA Innovation Scholarship is a brilliant example of this, helping to allow a generation of talent access to the very best education at one of the finest art and design colleges in the world. I hope the scholars will go on to become cultural pioneers not just in their own communities but across the globe.”

Arif Naqvi, founder and group chief executive of the Abraaj Group, said: “Since inception, The Abraaj Group has been committed to empowering talent and entrepreneurship to stimulate job creation in the markets in which we invest.

“The partnership with the Royal College of Art is another effort in this direction, noting that 67 per cent of RCA graduates go on to start their own businesses in the field of art and design. The Abraaj RCA Innovation Scholarship will encourage graduates to apply their innovative and entrepreneurial skills for the benefit of their communities in their home countries.”

Dr Paul Thompson, Royal College of Art rector, said: “Committed to providing talented and creative students from all backgrounds with access to the college's unique educational environment, the RCA has a proud heritage of nurturing and inspiring generations of artists and designers.

“As a direct result, our students, staff and alumni are leaders and innovators in their chosen fields. We are delighted that this first cohort of Abraaj RCA Innovation Scholars is to take their place besides creative peers from all over the world; we believe that they will go on to make a difference to the lives of millions.” - TradeArabia News Service