The Swedish Embassy in Riyadh has launched the first scholarship program for Saudi engineering students to study in Sweden. Jan Thesleff, Swedish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told a press conference here last week that the scholarship program for Saudi engineering students will open a new era in bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Swedish. The scholarship program was launched in collaboration with ABB Saudi Arabia. Thesleff said Hashem Jaber, and Badr Bin Salama, electrical engineering students, were named as winners of this year's scholarship program, fully sponsored by ABB Saudi Arabia. Mahmoud Shaban, CEO, ABB Saudi Arabia, Zaid Al-Rumaihi, ABB's HR Manager, and a representative from the Ministry of Higher Education were also present. A total of 1,600 engineering students applied for the scholarship program. Of that number seven were short-listed for the scholarship program but five opted to be employed at ABB Saudi Arabia. Sweden has long-standing relations with Saudi Arabia, the envoy said. He said that with the introduction of the scholarship program for Saudi youths, the bilateral relations will be further expanded paving the way for research and development between the two countries. “Our cooperation has been further expanded and strengthened in the past few years. ABB Saudi Arabia through its new scholarship program for Saudi engineers has opened up a new path for academic exchange and technology transfer between our two Kingdoms. I congratulate the engineers who have been selected to study in Sweden for 2009. They are truly pioneers in this field,” he said referring to the two Saudi students. Thesleff said the generous ABB program will over the years provide great opportunities for young and talented Saudis to build bridges with their Swedish counterparts further encouraging the future of joint research and development cooperation between the two countries. He said the winners of the ABB's higher studies scholarship program will help Saudi students and working engineering professionals pursue their education in Sweden. Al-Rumaihi wished the scholarship winners all the best in their endeavors while assuring them of the employment opportunity to work with ABB Saudi Arabia, which offers one of the best corporate working environments in the Kingdom. “The first group of Saudi students to study in Sweden under the scholarship program will begin their studies next week,” he said.
