Saudi Prince's scholarship offers UK education opportunity for Arab state students

A new scholarship scheme is being established at Coventry University London Campus (CULC) to help students from Arab League countries pursue postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. 

HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Bin Talal Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, a successful entrepreneur who graduated with an MBA in Oil and Gas Management from CULC in 2012, is offering financial support for five full-time postgraduate students wishing to enrol on masters’ programmes there in the forthcoming academic year. 

HRH Prince Abdulaziz joined other alumni of Coventry University, officials and dignitaries to launch the 'HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Bin Talal Al-Saud Supporting Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship' at a formal reception at the House of Commons in London on Thursday 14 May. 

The scholarship scheme will cover the full tuition fees of an MBA or MSc at Coventry University London Campus for five students in subjects ranging from Global Financial Trading to International Marketing. 

Through the scholarship scheme, HRH Prince Abdulaziz aims to provide opportunities for talented individuals from the Arab League countries to enhance their education through postgraduate learning as well as broadening their horizons by undertaking study in the UK. 

HRH Prince Abdulaziz also intends that his scholarships will make a positive contribution to the member states from which its postgraduates will be drawn, enabling those students to go on to become experts in their fields and contribute to their countries’ growth and development,  assisted by the focus of the CU London Campus in guaranteeing work experience, many guest lecturers from leading practitioners, and a real world business experience. 

Prince Abdulaziz’s scholarship scheme demonstrates the opportunities that Coventry University’s alumni are providing for the next generation of students and, with the university having recently won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its international growth and success, is further evidence of its global reach. 

Today one third of the students studying Coventry University’s programmes in the UK are from outside the country – drawn from over 150 different nations – which is testimony to its enhanced international reputation. 

HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Bin Talal Al Saud said: 

I am delighted to be in a position to be able to continue the efforts towards education that have been fostered by my grandfathers both the late King Abdullah and HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
 
I believe that there are many people within our region who have great talent and ability but who have unfortunately been lacking the opportunity to excel. With this initiative at the prestigious Coventry University we hope to bridge that gap and foster the next leaders of the Arab World.

Dr David Pilsbury, deputy vice-chancellor for international development at Coventry University, added:

We are a global university and believe that educational opportunities should extend across borders. We are therefore immensely grateful for this generous contribution from His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Bin Talal Al-Saud.  

We believe it is essential that the UK continues to attract the brightest and best students from around the world and the scholarships that he has so kindly provided will undoubtedly encourage exceptional students from the Arab League countries to study with us here in the UK, for the benefit of all. 

We are also appreciative of Prince Abdulaziz and all our other alumni for all the excellent work they do to support us here and overseas. They are wonderful advocates for Coventry University.

The Supporting Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship scheme for the academic year 2015 to 2016 is now open. Further information on the scholarship scheme and how to apply is available at on the Coventry University London Campus webpage.  

For further press information please contact Mark Farnan, marketing and communications, on +44 (0)24 7765 8245 or email mark.farnan@coventry.ac.uk.