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• EDD K. USMAN | X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News

MANILA, May 28, 2025 (SDN) — The Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched today, Wednesday, 265 fully funded scholarship slots for Filipino students through the magnanimity of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Ambassador-designate Faisal Ebraheem Al-Ajrafi Al-Ghamdi, the King’s envoy to the Philippines, launched the Saudi Scholarship Program for School Year 2025-2026 that is entirely free, comes with free tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, including plane fare (local and international) for the lucky recipients.

Al-Ghamdi, who belongs to a wide Saudi tribe, cited the scholarship’s significance in his Welcome Remarks he rendered in Arabic the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 enunciated by the Crown Prince, who is also the Prime Minister.

“Under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — may God preserve them — the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places great emphasis on international education as a foundation of its Vision 2030,” he emphasizes.

The ambassador added that Vision 2023 looks to the future ahead and “aims to cultivate a generation of creative and enlightened youth, equipped with access to world-class educational opportunities that empower them to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development — both within their communities and across the globe.”

He said the scholarship is in line with the strategic direction and that at the same time reflecting the Kingdom’s continued commitment to supporting higher education for Filipino students. The King’s top diplomat in the country said the scholarship has 265 slots being offered as fully funded for undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The educational opportunities, Al-Ghamdi points out, “will enable Filipinos students to join prestigious Saudi universities, where they will study alongside peers from around the world in academic environments that seamlessly blend tradition and innovation — offering an enriching educational experience unlike any other.”

SDN – SciTech & Digital News learned in an interview with Saudi Embassy head of Economic and Cultural Affairs Kamal al-Widyani at the sidelines of the launch event that courses being offered for the scholarship may cost from 60,000 Saudi riyal (SR) — about Php887,846 — for two year’s Master’s to SR90,000 — around P1.3 million — for a four-year Bachelor’s course.

The monthly stipend, he added, can go from SR800 (some Php11,839) to a high of SR2,000 (Php30,000 thereabouts), depending on a scholar’s course, (SR1 = Php14.80).

A PDF presentation made by Al-Widyani laid down the criteria for the scholarship offering:

• The applicant must be between the ages of 17 and 25 for Bachelor’s Degree, Diploma in Arabic Studies, or any other equivalent qualification. For Master’s Degree applicants their age should not exceed 30 and for a PhD (Doctorate) they should not be older than 35.
• Consent to study in the Kingdom must be given by the government of the applicant from those countries that stipulate the same for Saudi students.
• The applicant should not have previously attained a scholarship to study in any educational institute in the Kingdom.
• All certificates and identification papers must be attested by the authorities specified by the educational institute.
• The applicant should not have been previously expelled from any educational institute in the Kingdom.
• The applicant must pass a medical exam stipulated by Saudi law and the Ministry of Education.

Saudi scholarship a bridge between the Kingdom and the Philippines’ youth

Saudi Arabia, he added, has three types of enrolment, such as full scholarship, partial scholarship, and payment based. The medium instruction is either in Arabic for theory-based major and English for practical-based majors.

Interested Filipino students should send their applications to http://www.studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa (SDN tried to access the site but it’s not working as of press time.)

The Majors a scholar may take are Politics, Law, Education, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering and Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Agriculture, Shar’iah and Arabic, and Media.

Al-Widyani said awaiting scholarship recipients are Outstanding Education, Diverse Learning, Quality Outcome, Various Cultural and Tourist Programs, Scientific Research, Practical Training, and a Variety of Majors.

In his two-page speech at the event, Al-Ghamdi noted the long-standing education ties between the Kingdom and the Philippines, saying they are not new but comes from years of consistent academic collaboration.

“This ongoing partnership is exemplified by the presence of more than 806 Filipino students currently enrolled in Saudi universities across the diverse programs. These students are benefiting from advanced learning opportunities and comprehensive care — a testament to the Kingdom’s unwavering dedication to international students.”

Covered in the scholarship program, he pointed out, are not just the tuition fees as benefits go beyond, including provisions for financial stipends, accommodation, medical insurance, annual round-trip air tickets, and many other benefits designed at ensuring students can focus entirely on their academic goals.

He also cited the cooperation between the two countries that is not confined to realm of diplomacy but a relationship that has its roots in cultural and scientific partnership characterized by a legacy off civilizational exchange that goes decades back.

“These scholarships, therefore, serve as a strong bridge between the youth of our two nations, strengthening cultural and intellectual ties and reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting education in friendly countries,” King Salman’s ambassador to the Philippines, Al-Ghamdi, emphasizes.

He assured the Saudi Embassy in Manila’s full commitment to make sure the lucky scholarship beneficiaries receive the all-out support they need in their educational journey. (/)

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