IRIYANI FLORIDA: The Saudi Cultural Attaché in the US has begun the process of enrolling the more than 6,000 Saudis studying in America at their own expense on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarships Abroad Program. The move follows the recent decision to enroll all students who were previously paying their own way on to the program. Muhammad Al-Issa, the Cultural Attaché, asked students to “be patient” as his office seeks to carry out all the necessary measures, but said that the process of enrollment should be done within the next few weeks. “Everyone should remind themselves of the fundamental task for which they are here, which is to obtain academic learning, gain experience, and contribute positively to the cultural and knowledge reserve of their country, and reveal the true nature of Saudis by making a positive impression,” Al-Issa said. He advised students in the US, however, not to engage in “arguments or controversial discussions”, or respond to “some sections of the media that seek to obtain personal impressions from scholarship students”. “They should avoid getting into heated arguments, avoid interpretations and unhelpful analyses which might reflect opinions in a negative way or provoke misunderstanding due to cultural or language differences which could lead to awkward situations or judgment,” he said. Moudhi Al-Khalaf, manager of Cultural and Social Affairs at the Attaché's office, added that scholarship students are entitled to be proud of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, who has “shown the way along the path towards a prosperous future” and “given them the opportunity to learn abroad and experience new cultures”.
