Under the inaugural Khotwa Scholarship Program, 140 Emirati scholars are now preparing to kick off their higher education courses next month at community colleges in the US and Canada, where they will live with local families rigorously selected by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek ).

This comes after successfully going through a complex application and selection process while applying for the Khotwa Scholarship Program (RizeUp) launched by Adek. The 140 successful applicants will now spend two years studying at community colleges in North America, with 114 fellows traveling to the United States and 26 to Canada, before transferring their credits to an international or local university to complete their degrees. Students will also be in a fully funded host family program during their studies, providing them with a safe and welcoming atmosphere. This opportunity will also help students improve their English language skills while promoting cultural understanding and tolerance. Before the start of the winter semester in January, the first successful candidates attended a pre-departure meeting where ADEK's Khotwa advisors briefed 94 male and 46 female scholarship holders. Representatives from the US and Canadian embassies also briefed fellows on what to expect in their respective countries of study. Initially designed for an initial intake of 100 suitable candidates, ADEK has increased the inaugural Khotwa program (RizeUp) capacity by tracking candidates' performance in the selection process and their performance during boot camp. This included behavioral interviews and self-assessments, group case studies, situational simulation, and soft skills training. More than 1,600 students enrolled in the program, and 140 scientists were selected after obtaining the highest score in the evaluation criteria. In addition to community college tuition and living expenses during their homestay program and undergraduate studies, Khotwa students also receive a living allowance each. BKM/ Expat Media
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