King Abdulaziz Foundation launches scholarship program in cooperation with the Ministry of Education
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the connection between young Saudi talent and their country's rich history, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center hosted a significant event attended by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Abdulaziz Foundation, and His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan. The Foundation and the Ministry of Education signed a joint memorandum of understanding, resulting in the launch of the "King Abdulaziz Foundation Program for Serving Scholarship Students.".
Program details and national objectives
This new program is a key outcome of the collaboration between the two entities, designed to serve as a knowledge bridge connecting Saudi scholarship students worldwide with reliable historical sources. Its primary aim is to empower these students and researchers by granting them access to the wealth of knowledge housed within the Darah, including rare historical documents, original manuscripts, photographs, maps, and archival records that document the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula.
Through this program, scholarship recipients will be able to benefit from systematic scientific and advisory support, making it easier for them to direct their academic research and scientific theses (Master's and PhD) towards topics that serve national history and enhance Saudi knowledge content in international universities.
The importance of linking scholarships with historical identity
This step is of paramount importance within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, as scholarships are not limited to acquiring modern knowledge, but extend to enabling the scholarship recipient to become an ambassador for their nation's identity and culture. The King Abdulaziz Foundation is the primary and most reliable source for the Kingdom's history, and therefore, granting scholarship recipients access to its resources ensures the quality and historical accuracy of their research output.
Furthermore, this collaboration contributes to bridging the research gap in social and historical studies related to the Kingdom in international academic circles, by providing them with Saudi researchers who possess modern methodological tools and authentic primary sources.
Future training and documentation pathways
The signing ceremony was attended by the CEO, Mr. Turki bin Mohammed Al-Shuwaier, representing the Darah Foundation, and by the Deputy Minister for Scholarships, Dr. Lina bint Mohammed Al-Tuaimi, representing the Ministry of Education. The memorandum outlined ambitious action plans, including:
- Training and qualification: Building specialized programs to train scholarship recipients in the fields of historical research, digital archiving, and knowledge content management.
- Visiting Researcher Program: Providing an opportunity for scholarship recipients to benefit from this track in accordance with the approved regulations to enhance their practical experience.
- Documenting the history of scholarships: Working together on a project to document the history of scholarships in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to preserve its memory for future generations.
In conclusion, this partnership establishes a new phase of quality scholarships, where efforts are integrated between educational institutions and national research centers to create a generation of researchers capable of employing global expertise in the service of national heritage, and enhancing the Kingdom’s knowledge presence in international forums.
