SHEIKHA LATIFA BINT HAMDAN AL NAHYAN SCHOLARSHIPS
As of the start of the Spring 09 - 10 semester, under the auspices of H.H. Sheikha Latifa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi University is introducing its recently accredited Bachelor of Environmental Science program. As this is the first of its kind in the UAE, Her Highness is offering 20 scholarships to female Emirati students who desire to apply for this program. The program, developed to qualify local students in the environmental sciences, aims at providing the UAE with professionals that are specialized in the diverse disciplines related to this field of study.
H.H. Sheikha Latifa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, noted that this endeavor must be seen as a concerted academic effort to comply with the targeted environmental strategies as set out in the Abu Dhabi 2030 Strategic Plan. She believes that Abu Dhabi, as well as the other Emirates, should set the standard, lead the field and create a working model on issues pertaining to the environmental sector in the UAE. She thanked H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and President of Abu Dhabi Educational Council, for their unstinting and generous support and patronage in leading the vanguard in the current regional and international environmental revolution – all in a bid to improve the lives of their people.
She pointed out that her enrollment in this program illustrates the importance of the environment for all citizens who were raised under the guidance and vision of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may he rest in peace); a humanitarian and environmental legacy which each and every Emirati should honor and abide by. She concluded her statement by endorsing Abu Dhabi University for its foresight in launching such a program, which underlines the university’s reputation for academic excellence; it managed to become a true center of expertise and research in a very short period of time, both locally and regionally. She commended the university’s commitment to the community and its determined efforts to serve the nation by educating much needed environmental specialists and academics.
Abu Dhabi University organized a press release to announce the launch of its BSc Environmental Sciences Program. In attendance were H.E. Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, ADU Chairman, Abdul Nasser Al Shamsi, Environmental Agency Director, and Fatima HP, Academic Advisor of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan’s Family
H.E. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, ADU Chairman of the Executive Board, praised Her Highness for her generous support of Abu Dhabi University in making this landmark achievement and opportunity possible. Her commitment to the preservation of the environment follows closely in the steps of the Father of the Nation, H.H Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may he rest in peace), whose foresight and dedication to nature ushered in a new approach to environmental issues locally, regionally, and internationally.
Bin Harmal noted that this program will open many doors for the youth of today within the near future, making it possible to achieve great advances and realize vital projects that can benefit terrestrial and aquatic environments. This will enable these emerging scientists to harness their academic knowledge and practical experience in support of the strategic and environmental agendas as proposed by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and President of Abu Dhabi Educational Council, and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees.
Bin Harmal continued: “We face many challenging environmental issues today; with potentially disastrous consequences if these issues are not addressed. Global climate change, the loss of biodiversity, increased frequency of floods and droughts, increased energy demands, and rising volumes of waste are but just a few examples of the significant pressures on the environment. For these reasons, Abu Dhabi University will be offering an Environmental Science program. ADU considers this an important program and is delighted to announce that it has received accreditation from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.”
He added that currently, global employment of environmental scientists is expected to increase by 25 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all other occupations. Worldwide, the majority of environmental scientists are employed in governmental positions, but job opportunities are opening up in the private sector, spurred largely by the increasing demands placed on companies to be responsive to the need to protect the environment and to comply with laws and regulations relating to ground-water decontamination, clean air, and flood control.
Abdul Nasser Al Shamsi emphasized the importance of this program, especially since it is the first of its kind to be offered in this region. He noted that it will help address a serious shortage in the workforce of the environmental sector, and praised H.H. Sheikha Latifa for addressing the future needs of this country within this great achievement.
Dr. Nabil Ibrahim, the ADU Chancellor, gave further details regarding ADU’s BSc program in Environmental Science. He pointed out that the program will include the study of topics and issues such as an introduction to environmental science, the basic concepts of conservation, protected areas and eco-tourism, the management of waste and water resources, the effect of the eco-system on plants, animals and birds, oceanography, marine science, marine biodiversity, marine endangered species, the management of coastal habitats, air and water pollution, the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, and environmental crisis management.
He continued: “Abu Dhabi University is committed to contributing to the development of the Emirate and the region as a whole. The most recent addition to our portfolio of highly regarded degree courses is a BSc in Environmental Science, which is accredited by the CAA and is poised to launch the next generation of environmentalists. A challenging four-year undergraduate degree, the program will develop students with the knowledge and abilities to be able to understand, analyze and remediate the environmental challenges facing the UAE now and for future generations, helping to provide sustainable growth and development to our nation and adding to the UAE’s emerging position as a nation in harmony with its environment.”
The Sheikha Latifa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan scholarships will cover full tuition fees for four years of the undergraduate program, provided a grade point average (GPA) of over 3.0 is maintained. Academic performance in secondary school will be given the highest priority in selecting the winners of these scholarships. The application deadline for both the program and the scholarships will be January 14, 2010, and classes are set to start in February 2010.
Rules for maintaining the scholarship
- Minimum enrollment of 12 credit hours per semester.
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) over 3.0 for two consecutive semesters.
