The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation said it has signed MoUs with six prominent universities in the US for its Fellows programme, thus expanding the number of its partner universities under the programme to 28.

The MoUs make the Fellows programme one of the most comprehensive scholarships in the region and includes all top business and public policy schools, geographically spread across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, said a Foundation official.

The new partner universities are Columbia Business School, Columbia University; Harvard Business School, Harvard University; Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley; Ross School of Business, University of Michigan; Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), The Johns Hopkins University and School of Management, Yale University.

The nationals of 22 countries of the Arab League pursuing Master’s degrees in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), Public Policy (MPP) and Finance, who have secured an acceptance at one of the partner universities, are eligible to apply to the Foundation’s Fellows programme.

Mustafa Al Ansari, acting vice-president for Knowledge and Education at the Foundation, said: "We launched the Fellows programme in December 2007 and have systematically and strategically worked towards expanding our alliances with internationally acclaimed universities to ensure aspiring Arab leaders have the opportunity to pursue their studies in the world’s finest programmes of study."

"The MoUs signed to date exemplify our commitment to realising our vision of bridging the knowledge gap that exists in the Arab world," he noted.

“The right kind of leadership is critical in today’s interconnected world, and we are confident that beneficiaries of the Fellows programme will become future thought leaders capable of addressing the ever-growing challenges facing our region,” Al Ansari added.

Linda Koch Lorimer, vice-president and secretary, Yale University, said: "We at Yale are inspired by the work of the Foundation. From educating the Arab world’s next generation of leaders to translating texts for bridging the gap between the East and West, the Foundation is offering crucial leadership for the region and the world."

"We look forward to continue partnering with the Foundation for years to come," he added.

The Fellows programme offers fully funded scholarships at top universities worldwide to qualified Arab candidates who demonstrate leadership, dedication and commitment to the Arab world's socio-economic development.

It represents the Foundation’s commitment to creating the next generation of leaders that deserve an exemplary education for setting the course of their nations’ future.

Dr. Amir Pasic, associate dean, Development and Strategic Planning, John Hopkins University SAIS, said: "We are honoured to be partnering with the Foundation to train exceptional young men and women at SAIS in Bologna and Washington and prepare them to grow as future leaders."

"SAIS has a strong tradition of engagement with the Middle East and we are pleased that the next phase of recruiting students from the Arab world will involve collaborating with a pioneering philanthropic venture based in the region," he noted.

Ahmad Mohammad Bin Ghanam, from the UAE, who is currently pursuing his MPA at Harvard Kennedy School, US, expressed delight at being a fellow of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’s programme.

"As a UAE national, I'm intensely aware of my role and responsibilities towards my home country and the Arab World. Currently, my focus extends to socio-economic issues on development and effective nation building. I am grateful to the Foundation for giving me this lifetime opportunity," he remarked.-TradeArabia News Service