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Rhodes House, Oxford - The Rhodes Trust announces a new Rhodes Scholarship in partnership with Muhammad Alagil for Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Education. Young people aged 19-25 from the country will be eligible for the Scholarship when annual applications open later this year. The Rhodes Trust hopes for a diverse set of applicants from all across the country. Detailed eligibility criteria will be published soon at www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/apply.
Muhammad Alagil, co-founder of Jarir Bookstores, has generously funded the annual Rhodes Scholarship for Saudi Arabia.
The Rhodes Trust – the preeminent international scholarship programme established at Oxford University in 1903 – selects creative young leaders with a commitment to serving others. In the century since the establishment of the Rhodes Scholarships, the Trust has convened a community of extraordinary people who share a history of enriching their communities, pioneering in their chosen fields, and applying the knowledge and experience acquired as Scholars to the betterment of society.
Education is one of the core elements of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious blueprint for the future. The endowment of the first Rhodes Scholarship in Saudi Arabia will enable students across the Kingdom to fully develop their skills and knowledge in the fields that will help Saudi Arabia achieve its goals under Vision 2030.
The launch of the Saudi Arabia Scholarship further strengthens the Rhodes Trust’s international community and is part of a wider geographic expansion of the Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford. The total number of Scholarships awarded each year has increased in recent years to over 100 each year, including new Scholarships in China, East and West Africa, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Malaysia (reinstated), and Singapore (reinstated), as well as two new Global Scholarships. This increases the number of Rhodes Scholars studying at the University of Oxford at any one time to approximately 250.
Charles Conn, CEO of the Rhodes Trust, commented: “I am extremely pleased to announce another Scholarship to add to the diverse annual cohort of courageous young leaders. Our mission will be to find those exceptional Saudi students a platform to explore their full potential as they prepare to make an impact on the world. The introduction of this scholarship comes at a time when the Kingdom is at the forefront of major economic and social transformations in line with Vision 2030. I look forward to welcoming our new Scholar to Rhodes House in October 2019 and witnessing our community becoming increasingly more diverse.”
Muhammad Alagil, Co-Founder and CEO of Jarir Investment, said: “I have benefited enormously from my education and the opportunities I have received from my country and I believe that endowing a Rhodes Scholarship to Saudi post-graduate students is a small gesture of paying back to my fellow citizens.”
Dr. Jasir Alherbish, The Saudi Ministry of Education’s deputy for scholarships affairs, said: “We are excited about our collaboration with the Rhodes Trust and so keen about opening new horizons for our bright youngsters. It is yet one more excellent venue to be added to the Saudi distinguished scholarships. Thanks to Muhammad Alagil and Rhodes Trust as well as our team at the ministry for making it happen”.
The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting young people who combine academic excellence with good character, and who show promise of values-driven leadership in later life. It is the oldest and the most prestigious international scholarship programme in the world, which aims to nurture public-spirited leaders for the world's future.
1) Media toolkit
Further details on the Rhodes Trust, the Rhodes Scholarships, alumni and the mission of the organisation can be found at http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk. Additional information relating to this announcement and photographs are available upon request. Contact: Babette Tegldal, Director of Communications at the Rhodes Trust: babette.tegldal@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk / +44 7876 381605.
2) Notes
Rhodes Scholarships
The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all-round students at the University of Oxford, and providing transformative opportunities for exceptional individuals. Rhodes Scholars are selected on the criteria of outstanding intellect and on qualities of character, leadership and commitment to service. Established in 1903, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international graduate scholarship programme in the world. Nearly 8,000 Rhodes Scholars have gone on to serve at the forefront of government, the professions, commerce, the arts, education, research and other domains. They are well known advocates for expanded social justice, and have advanced the frontiers of science and medicine. The Rhodes Trust provides the existing Rhodes Scholarships in partnership with its Second Century Founders, John McCall MacBain, The Atlantic Philanthropies, and many other generous benefactors.
