EDAAD supports the cultural movement in the UAE and the region

The program began soliciting candidates last August and applications poured in competing for the limited slots. EDAAD interviewed many applicants who went through assessment tests, reflecting the high standards that EDAAD is looking for in order to fulfill the human resource requirement of DSP 2015 in the fields of art and culture.

EDAAD held an orientation for the 29 students, attended by Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of KHDA, Adel Rashid Al Shared, Director of EDAAD, and Dr. Warren Fox who is responsible for higher education at KHDA. The orientation included a discussion about the importance of art and culture for societies, and motivated the students to be good ambassadors of Dubai and the UAE in the countries they will study in.

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam said, "Dubai is well known for its experts in banking, real estate, logistics, tourism and many more fields. However, we also want a larger and more significant place on the map of art and culture. We are looking forward for this batch to come back and lead art and culture in Dubai and achieve the social and cultural goals of DSP 2015."

Al Shared said, "At EDAAD, we are aware of the responsibility we have towards human development in Dubai, and the job market requirement for people with unique specializations who can lead and inspire the movement of art and culture in UAE and the region."

He added, "Our leadership believes in the importance of art and culture, and at EDAAD we are working on building the human resources that will provide the food for souls in the midst of the fast paced lives we lead here in Dubai."

Al Shared said, "Who amongst us does not know Ibn Sina and his book in medicine Al-Qanoon? Who doesn't Leonardo da Vinci and his Mona Lisa? Who doesn't know Les Miserables by Victor Hugo? Who amongst us haven't read the works of Najeeb Mahfouz? We are not expecting anything less from our students; we want them to join these big names with their achievements."

The 29 candidates have been awarded scholarships to pursue postgraduate degrees in Fine Arts, Cinematography, Illustration, Graphic Design, Art and Culture Management (of cultural centers), Literature (Creative Writing) and Cultural Studies.

Noor Al Suwaidi, one of the students granted the scholarship said, "This is like a dream come true. Thanks to His Highness who launched EDAAD, I feel special and privileged to have this opportunity. I look forward for the day when I come back to Dubai and make it a better place for all of its citizens who will be proud of my work and achievements. I will work hand in hand with everybody else to make Dubai a capital for art and culture."

Karima Al Shomeli said, "I have a Bachelors degree in Accounting because back then we didn't have an art major. An artist needs to educate the society about the importance and role of art in the building and development of a country. Therefore, I have set for myself two objectives, the first is to keep on producing art regardless of the challenges that I might face, and the second is to educate the society about the importance of arts."

Since its onset in 2001, EDAAD has offered 250 scholarships to UAE national students. To date, 133 EDAAD scholars have successfully completed their degrees and are fully integrated into the local labor market as leading professionals in their field. EDAAD scholars have completed degrees in 56 disciplines. 40 percent of EDAAD scholars are women.