Students applying to Bidaya, the education and leadership programme recently launched by Zabeel Investments and Nakheel, all boast marks that are 95 per cent and above.

As interviews for candidates have now commenced, the team is reporting that despite research indicating a positive response from Ajman, the team has received no applications from the Emirate. However the programme has received a large number of applications from Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

'From the hundreds of Bidaya applications we have received the quality of students applying has been outstanding. As an education and leadership programme committed to excellence, Bidaya seeks out exceptionally talented, hard working, and motivated students, something we are pleased to see in the applications handed over,' said executive director of Corporate Communications for Zabeel Investments Amina Taher.

The programme received a surge in applications after releasing its special television commercial, in partnership with Freej, the UAE's first 3D animated show. The short shows the women of Freej discussing the Bidaya programme, as they read about it in the papers.

In addition, Taher explained, the programme has decided to extend application deadlines to June 23, 2007 as a result of end of year exams, and the continued in pouring of applications.

Bidaya, a joint venture between Zabeel Investments and Nakheel, was launched in April under the patronage of Shaikh 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 will offer university scholarships annually to outstanding male and female candidates from public high schools throughout the UAE; although, interestingly, statistics show that most of the applicants so far are females.Trade Arabia News Service