A Saudi student on a scholarship majoring in Aviation Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Daytona Beach, Florida has been recognized by a placement on the Dean’s List for Fall semester 2012.

“It’s an honor for me to receive this certificate and it’s the best kind of recognition for studying hard all these years,” said 21-year-old Abdulmalik Nagadi, who used to live in Jeddah. “This comes with great benefits. I received an amount of money as a reward from the Saudi cultural attaché in the US. I feel motivated to do an even better job next semester to achieve this honor again,” he added.

A Dean's List is a category of university students who achieve high grades during an academic term or academic year.

The Dean's List Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements vary from school to school, however, only the cream of the crop can hope to make the cut.

With a GPA scale ranging from 0-4, 4 being an A, the Dean's List cut-off is typically at 3.5.

Recognition is often granted at graduation for students that were on the Dean's List for more than one semester.

The dean to whom the list is referring is the dean of the entire school, not the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Nagadi’s mother could not be more proud. “He has always been a hard-working student, looking for a new challenge. He loves competing with his brothers,” said Intisar Bakr, a mother of three sons. “He aims for the best and I have never doubted he could do it. I am a proud mother for his continued success in school and now in university,” she added.

Nagadi is looking to study even harder to get into the Dean’s List again this year and graduate with an honorary degree from his university.