RIYADH, 3 May 2004 — Fifty Saudi students are expected to go to Germany next autumn for a five-year undergraduate scholarship. The Ministry of Higher Education and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) confirmed this yesterday, according to Thomas F. Schneider, counselor for political and cultural affairs at the German Embassy.
In an interview with Arab News, he said an initial agreement was reached last January during a visit by Professor Johann Gerlach, DAAD board member, to Saudi Arabia.
The candidates will be carefully screened and chosen by the ministry.
Schneider said the Saudi students will spend the first two years studying German language and familiarizing themselves with the country. They will spend the next three years studying for Bachelor of Arts degrees.
Commenting on Saudi-German relations, Schneider recalled the visit of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to the Kingdom two months ago. Schroeder expressed his desire for the intensification of bilateral ties in politics as well as in economy. “In addition, he called for an intensified cooperation in the field of culture and academic exchange and research,” Schneider said.
Schneider added that the Ministry of Education was very enthusiastic and had exhibited a positive reaction to the program.
“The important thing to note is that the Saudi side really wants to send its academic elite to educational facilities in other countries such as Germany for a wider exposure and to diversify their career orientation,” he said.
He expressed the hope that the program would continue so that more Saudis could benefit from educational opportunities available in German colleges and universities.
