Oxford announces two new scholarships for Middle East applicants to the prestigious MBA programme at Saïd Business School

Oxford's one-year MBA programme attracts some of the most talented business men and women from around the world.

The Saïd Business School has announced two new scholarships designed to help candidates from the Arab world fund their MBA at Oxford.

The first is generously supported by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. As part of its mission to empower future generations and devise sustainable home-grown solutions to regional challenges, the Foundation has funded a scholarship to provide deserving students with the opportunity to benefit from Oxford's MBA programme.

The eligibility criteria for the scholarship require that the MBA candidate is a national of one of the 22 countries of the League of Arab Nations. Candidates will also be required to demonstrate evidence of their aspiration to serve their societies and the interest of the Arab World through dedicated commitment to its progress and development.

This scholarship covers the full programme fees and includes an allowance for living expenses and is now available to candidates.

The Dean of Saïd Business School, Professor Colin Mayer commented, "I am delighted that the Saïd Business School has now become a Fellow of this tremendously important scholarship programme which aims at developing the knowledge capabilities of talented youth across the Arab World. It will play a vital role in increasing the number of MBA students from the region, and will enable them to transfer the knowledge they gain through their study at the Saïd Business School back to their country for the benefit of its society."

"I would like to thank the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for their immense generosity and for their great foresight in creating this opportunity for future students to study here at Oxford," he added.

The second scholarship for students from the region is The SMBC Europe Al Mustaqbal MBA Scholarship funded by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe Limited (SMBCE).

In partnership with the Saïd Business School, SMBCE wishes to identify and support MBA students with the potential to make a real long-term difference to the bank's Islamic finance business. This award covers the full tuition fees and will be made for the year 2009/10. It is intended to encourage Arabic speaking students to come to Oxford to study for the one year MBA.

The scholarship is open to citizens of the Arab League States and Gulf area nationals. Applicants will be required to submit a 1,500 word essay on 'How do you see the role and nature of Islamic finance changing in both the local and global markets in the next 5 to 10 years?' The scholar will be expected to complete a short internship with SMBC during the programme.

Professor Colin Mayer said: 'It is tremendous to have a second scholarship for applicants from this region and to have one that encourages those with an interest in Islamic finance to join the MBA programme. We are grateful for the generosity of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and delighted with their way in which they are supporting and encouraging talented individuals. We look forward to the valuable contribution that the scholar will make to the MBA class.'

Professor Roy Westbrook, Vice Dean of Saïd Business School will be in Abu Dhabi from 2nd - 6th March to launch the SMBC Europe Al Mustaqbal MBA Scholarship. Professor Westbrook will be available for interview on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th March.