The Rhodes Trust has today announced a new Rhodes Scholarship in parternship 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.
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.”