JEDDAH, 7 August 2006 — The government yesterday announced a 15 percent rise in monthly stipends given to Saudi students who go abroad for higher studies. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has approved the measure, said Higher Education Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari.
Al-Anqari said measures have also been taken to solve the problem faced by some students abroad as a result of exchange rate fluctuations of the Saudi riyal against other currencies.
Students will now receive stipends at rates fixed at SR2.57 for the Canadian dollar, SR2.27 for the Australian dollar, SR5.93 for the sterling pound, SR3.84 for the euro and SR0.48 for the South Africa rand.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Moajjel, deputy higher education minister for cultural relations, said the ministry had set out stringent academic and scientific standards to pick students for King Abdullah Scholarship Program for higher studies in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Asian countries. Over 50,000 students had applied for the scholarship.
