The Ministry of Higher Education
in Kuwait recently announced significant adjustments to the terms governing foreign scholarships, which will take effect from the academic year 2025/2026. The ministry's intent behind this revision is to bolster the quality of graduates and mitigate instances of academic failures among students studying abroad.
According to the Ministry, the amendments were initiated following extensive research evaluating past scholarship policies and their outcomes, with careful consideration of academic standards at global universities. "The adjustments aim to align our scholarship practices with international benchmarks," stated the Undersecretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maya Al-Melahm, as she addressed the media on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Among the pivotal changes
in the scholarship policy is the requirement for students to achieve no less than 5.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination prior to joining any international scholarship program. Should they not meet this criterion, students will receive support for one full academic year, timed from the announcement of acceptance results, to fulfill the necessary language requirements before traveling abroad.
Dr. Al-Melahm elaborated, "This decision is rooted in our analysis of the academic difficulties encountered by students, particularly moving from language studies to specialized training. Many students achieve the minimal score yet struggle to demonstrate enough competence for academic purposes, leading to challenges later on." This has frequently resulted in significant academic setbacks.
Further adjustments have also been made concerning the distinguished scholarship program. Students are now required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.67 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent. This measure is intended to uphold the caliber of the scholarship program and provide equitable opportunities among prospective candidates.
Another significant update mandates scholarship applicants to refrain from having previously received any bachelor degree funding either within or outside Kuwait, without repaying any funds previously disbursed. This rule aims to utilize available resources more effectively and to allocate them to students genuinely committed to achieving their educational goals.
Dr. Al-Melahm emphasized the ministry's commitment to ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for all scholarship applicants. "We want to guarantee every eligible student has the chance to benefit from our programs. These changes to the scholarship provisions are aimed not only at improving educational outcomes but also at enhancing the overall student experience, ensuring their readiness for the global workforce," she said.
The Ministry is also focused on reducing potential language barriers for students, which can significantly impact their academic journeys. By ensuring students are linguistically prepared before embarking on their studies, the Ministry hopes to address one of the sources of academic failure.
Students interested in applying for international scholarships are urged to prepare thoroughly for the required English language proficiency tests. Dr. Al-Melahm highlighted the importance of early preparation and keeping abreast of all announcements from the Ministry, indicating its intention to launch the Ministry's annual guidance campaign known as "My Guide," aimed at providing students with the necessary academic support.
Students are also encouraged to utilize the Ministry's resources on social media to stay informed about important updates and guidance available for their academic journeys. The Ministry remains committed to monitoring the performance of scholarship students through cultural offices abroad, ensuring they achieve the desired academic benchmarks and succeed during their educational pursuits.
With these adjustments, the Ministry of Higher Education aims to raise the quality of education and secure the success of Kuwaiti students studying overseas, preparing them to thrive within both local and international job markets.
Such measures reflect the Ministry’s overarching objective of creating competent and competitive graduates, leading to brighter futures for Kuwaiti youth.