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Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.

By shehab ⋅ September 1, 2008 ⋅ Email This ⋅ Print ⋅ Post a comment
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I received an email from the Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation on August 28 2008 (The Foundation is a really exciting initiative launched by the ruler of Dubai that runs a Fellowship Program offering scholarships for Arab MBA / MPP / MPA students) :

Dear Shehab

Your application was among many others reviewed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fellows Program from wonderfully qualified and accomplished individuals. It was a difficult decision, but we regret to write that you were not selected to receive the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fellowship Award for the 2008 academic year. We sincerely thank you for your interest in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fellows Program and wish you good fortune in pursuing your Masters degree.

Again, thank you for your interest in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fellows Program and for your continued commitment to the values and principles of growth and development of the Arab World. We wish you luck!

Scholarship Department

Knowledge and Education Sector

I sent my first application through to the Foundation on June 1 2008. Unfortunately on June 30 while checking my spam box I found a ‘Delivery has failed’ message from the address listed on the website (fellows@mbrfoundation.ae). I then managed to get some direct email addresses from others who had applied and resent my application on the same day. I encourage all prospective applicants to confirm that their applications have been received by calling the Foundation to avoid this type of delay.

It’s my understanding that the Foundation have monthly review panels that assess the Fellowship applicants and I had missed the June review. When I enquired if I could re-apply to the Fellowship Foundation I was informed that I could not. I thought that the fact that the Columbia Business School was not officially a partner school may have affected my application, but it was explained that:

We do not accept you on the basis of what school you were accepted to. When we look at your application, we look at the level of commitment you have for the region. Unfortunately at this stage, your background and essay questions were not enough for us to prove your commitment and this is a final decision based on  panel of experts who make the final call on your application.

To back that up, a friend of mine who was also accepted to the Columbia Business School was offered a scholarship (which he subsequently turned down for an alternative scholarship offer). So I encourage you all to apply to the Fellowship Program regardless of whether you have been accepted to an official Partner School.

My two friends that were offered scholarships (both of whom ironically turned the offers down) had mentioned that the key criteria (apart from acceptance to a quality program) was evidence of a commitment to the region.

My application angle was my commitment to building creative platforms for the youth in the region. I have uploaded my essays to help guide prospective applicants as to what didn’t work.

The Foundation’s work is a welcome and vital component of the Middle East’s rapid development and I encourage all aspiring Arab applicants to consider it if they do intend to return to the Middle East on graduating.

Discussion

View Comments for “Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.”

  • puma2009
    hellow,,,
    i am somalian nationality but i born in u.a.e
    but know i am n somalia
    so i need to came back to u.a.e,,,
    so help me,,,
  • puma2009
    salaamo 3alaykum,,,,
    i born in u.a.e, al-ain but my origen is somalia nationality
    am know in somalia where war is am not have any help
  • Guest
    Hello all,
    I want to share my experience with you too. I also applied to MBRF Fellows programme; unfortunately, I received a rejection email.
    Regardless of the matter, my experince with the fellows sector was horrible. They were slow in their responses (I mean to the extent of replying 2 months after I submit my inquiry). They refused to direct my phone calls anywhere beyond the receptionist (who gave out FALSE information). Finally, heir late reply, pushed me to pay my tuition deposit, a figure that I was hoping to get back.
    Anyhow, my advice to all of you.. before you apply, make sure that the foundation is still funding students. I have heard from various sources that they are going through internal problems and financial crisis.
    If you could pay them a visit, it might help you assess the situation.

    Good luck all.
  • Amal
    Hi Shehab,

    I am willing on applying for the fellow scholarship next year and I would like to ask you a few questions:
    -From your experience, is it mandatory to submit TOEFL scores to the MBR Foundation?
    -While applying to partner universities, should I let them know that I am considering applying for the fellow scholarship? If yes, where can I mention that in the application?
    -Do you know how much is the monthly stipend they provide students with is and what does it cover exactly (does it cover rent orjust personal items)?
    -Do you have any idea whether they favor UAE nationals over other Arab nationalities, or boys over girls?

    Thank you so much in advance,

    Amal
  • Amal
    Hi Shehab,

    I am willing on applying for the fellow scholarship next year and I would like to ask you a few questions:
    -From your experience, is it mandatory to submit TOEFL scores to the MBR Foundation?
    -While applying to partner universities, should I let them know that I am considering applying for the fellow scholarship? If yes, where can I mention that in the application?
    -Do you know how much is the monthly stipend they provide students with is and what does it cover exactly (does it cover rent orjust personal items)?
    -Do you have any idea whether they favor UAE nationals over other Arab nationalities, or boys over girls?

    Thank you so much in advance,

    Amal
  • Hi Amal,

    I don't think TOEFL scores are mandatory.
    I don't think you need to mention your plans to apply for the scholarship. My experience has been that the partner schools will usually write to you about the Foundation on being accepted.
    I am afraid I don't know what the monthly stipend is as I don't personally know anyone who accepted the scholarship.
    I am not aware that the foundation favors certain nationalities or sexes over others.

    Good luck with your applications.
  • S
    Salam Shehab..
    Thank you for your post, that was useful. I have applied for MBR Fellowship Nov 2008 , they called me in Jan asking me couple of questions ( They did not reach to a decision yet). I already start my MPA program at Columbia and still did not hear from them ( not even a rejection letter). Do they send rejection letter for all applicants?.. and based on your friend's experience when do they usually get back to the applciant?.


    Have a nice day!
  • Hi S,

    They do send rejection emails as far as I know. The time it takes for them to respond seems to vary but was between 1-2 months for those I know who applied.

    Best of luck.
  • nizar
    shehab,

    I'm really enjoying going through your blog archives and getting some valuable information. It looks like Columbia is a partner school now. I'm thinking of applying to the MBR fellowship for Fall 2009 (got into Duke R1 and waiting to hear from Columbia, Chicago, and LBS in the next round) I'm getting conflicting info from the website and from calling them directly. Do I get the application from the school or use the one labeled "Sample" on the website? Do I send it to the school (as they said on the phone) or send it to the given email address (as instructed by the website)?
    Also, are you sure about them meeting monthly? From what the phone rep said, they won't look at fellowship apps until June, when their deadline is. That seems kinda late in the game if schools start in August and the fellowship outcome could affect the decision to attend.
  • Hello Nizar,

    Thanks for reading.
    I downloaded the application from the MBR website and sent it directly to the Foundation once I had been accepted to the business school. I believe that once the committee start meeting again, they attempt to convene on a monthly basis to review applicants (this was how it worked last year at least). Those I know who received scholarships were awarded them late in the Summer so the dates mentioned do seem plausible.
    I was also told last year to apply regardless of whether the school was an official partner school or not (as long as it was a top rated school).

    Make sure you call the Foundation to confirm they have received your application when you send it.

    Hope this helps.
  • shehab
    Thanks for taking the time to read the essay Qasim.
    I think that would actually be the politically correct answer. Either way I agree that the lack of democracy and political freedoms certainly constitute two of the primary challenges (there's plenty more) the region faces.

    I was also looking to tie the answer back to my own personal experiences in the region.
  • I read your essay answer on the biggest challenges facing the Arab world. It may not make for a politically correct answer, but as a non Arab, I think the biggest challenge you face is the lack of democracy and political freedom.
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