RIYADH — The Ministry of Culture on Sunday opened registration for cultural scholarship applicants via the special e-platform https://engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships. The program enables qualified Saudi students to pursue higher studies in the culture and arts specializations according to three tracks: students who are currently pursuing studies abroad at their own expense, those who have previously obtained acceptance for admission from accredited universities to study culture and arts, and the students who want to apply to join the cultural scholarship program for the first time. The courses that come under the scholarship program include but are not limited to archeology, design, museums, music, theater, filmmaking, literature, languages, libraries, architecture, visual arts, and culinary arts. All majors are available at bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degree levels in the world-class universities. This e-platform contains all the general and specific conditions required for admission to the program in all its tracks. It also includes application forms and the names of the accredited educational institutions. The program will bear all tuition fees, financial guarantee, living expenses of the students and their companion, as well as health care, and travel expenses, especially offered for those studying at their own expenses and who have previously obtained acceptance for admission. It will also provide advisory programs that focus on monitoring the scholarship and assessing the students' academic development, in addition to training programs outside the Kingdom after graduation up to a maximum of two years, with a paid monthly allowance and other benefits. The program also offers additional benefits for the third track students that would facilitate their admission to the educational institutions and help them overcome their obstacles related to language and personal skills. In addition, the program will provide training workshops to develop the students' skills and talents necessary to complete their studies and allow them to meet experts specialized in areas related to their majors. Students will be supported with all services required for registration process, such as training to write a personal statement, building a portfolio correctly, and training on live performances in certain majors. This program was initiated within the framework of the comprehensive development of the cultural sector in the Kingdom, which is being launched by the ministry of culture. The e-platform will be open around the clock to receive applications for enrollment in the program as the admission stages will be carried out according to a fixed mechanism outlined in detail in the electronic platform. It is worth to mention that this program is one of a kind in the history of the Kingdom, with an aim to develop the Saudi cultural sector that sets education as a basis for the development of the national competencies in cultural and artistic fields to be aligned with the labor market priorities.
