UAE and Pakistan announce new international scholarship and loan schemes

The United Arab Emirates and Pakistan have announced new initiatives to support students pursuing higher education at international institutions.

The UAE Ministry of Education has established 13 conditions for students to receive fully funded scholarships for bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees. To qualify, applicants must be UAE citizens, secure admission to a Ministry-recognized university in a priority sector, and pass personal interviews and competency tests. The program requires full-time, on-campus study abroad and includes specific requirements for male students regarding national service. Additionally, the Ministry has increased financial allocations by 50% to enhance the competitiveness of national talent.

In Pakistan, the government has launched an interest-free loan scheme through the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund (PAK-EEF) to support MS and PhD students. The scheme targets students admitted to the world’s top 25 universities as ranked by QS or Times Higher Education. The loans can cover tuition, living expenses, travel, and insurance, with a repayment period of up to 10 years. Eligibility is limited to Pakistani nationals under specific age limits—30 for MS and 35 for PhD applicants—and requires applicants to meet certain income and taxpayer status criteria.