1.3.5 Does your university as a body have schemes to support poor students from low income countries (e.g. offering free education, grants)?
Al Maarefa University demonstrates its commitment to supporting international students, including those from low-income countries, by providing financial aid schemes and institutional support to promote equitable access to education. Although the university does not publicly outline specific programs targeting students from low-income countries, its general policies and practices reflect an inclusive approach:
- Scholarships and Grants: The university offers merit-based and need-based scholarships, which are open to both domestic and international students. These can significantly reduce the financial burden for students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds.
- Partnerships with Government and NGOs: Al Maarefa collaborates with national and international organizations to provide additional opportunities for students from low-income regions to access quality education. These partnerships may include grants or fee waivers supported by external funding.
- Focus on Inclusivity: The university participates in broader government initiatives, such as those sponsored by the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, which are designed to support international students, particularly those from developing nations.
- Student Support Services: Beyond financial support, Al Maarefa provides academic and personal support services, such as counseling and mentorship, to ensure that students from low-income countries adapt well and succeed in their educational pursuits.
Low Income student support
UM supports the students from low-income families to complete their studies, through different subsidize schemes. For example, UM has contract with a third party to provide low price menu food for student. UM have a contract with “qawafal alrushd” company to provide student with special discount for transportation, for the same purpose UM also has an agreement with Uber and Kareem companies. Al Maarefa University appointed “Alnadhir” law firm to assist the university staff and student including the low income.
· UM provides financial aid to local and international students to facilitate their study as well as other compensations related to food, transformation, accommodation, health and others.
· UM provides the students with financial support to help them start their businesses, through baying survives from them as a start-up financial assistance.
University of Refugees UniRef
#جامعة_المعرفة received a Swiss delegation from the University of Refugees UniRef (interested in teaching refugee students around the world), where the general supervisor, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Mulhim meeting with the President of the University: Evelyn Wood, in the presence of a number of university employees
Ways of cooperation between the two universities to provide humanitarian services to refugees around the world were discussed.
Cooperation Agreement with WAMY
Al Maarefa University signed a cooperation agreement with WAMY in order to qualify and prepare the new youth generations to attain their proper education journey. This agreement provides educational grants including six majors starting from medicine, pharmacy, nursing, respiratory therapy and ending with computer science and information system. The period of the agreement is three years that could be renewable with the acceptance of the both parties.
WAMY Funds
WAMY; which stands for World Assembly of Muslim Youth; is an international Islamic educational organization whose stated purpose is “preserve the identity of Muslim youth and help overcome the problems they face in modern society”. WAMY was founded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1972, and it opened offices in countries with significant Muslim populations throughout the world. Reportedly the world’s largest Muslim organization, WAMY organizes conferences, symposia, educational workshops and research circles to address youth and students issues, in addition to football tournaments and European Muslim Scouts camps for Muslim youth in Europe. Along with the Muslim World League, it is part of a “worldwide network of largely Saudi-funded groups…promoting Islamic teachings and encouraging Muslims to be more religiously observant, as well as providing interested non-Muslims and recent converts with information about Islam”. It maintains satellite chapters in 31 other countries and is affiliated with some 196 other Muslim youth groups on five continents. It is concerned with some humanitarian programs, such as sponsoring orphans and helping areas afflicted by wars and natural disasters.
WAMY’s Aim
WAMY’s stated aim is “to preserve the Muslim identity, to help overcome the problems Muslim youth face in modern society”, and to “educate and train Muslim youth in order for them to become active and positive citizens in their countries”. WAMY aims to “Introduce Islam to non-Muslims in its purest form as a comprehensive system and way of life” and “to establish a relationship of dialogue, understanding and appreciation between other faith organizations”. It also aims to organize conferences, symposia, workshops and research circles to address youth and students issues. WAMY aims “to publish books, brochures, reports and exhibition material that best introduce Islam to non-Muslims in its holistic vision”, and best educate the Muslim youth about their role in the societies. WAMY aims to organize exchange visits, Hajj and Umrah trips and provide training and support to Muslim youth organizations in order to help them better fulfill their objectives.[5] The WAMY UK website states that “Our aim is to build bridges of peace and unity in our multicultural society. …Through educating the Muslim youth to the common good and promoting understanding among people of different communities.
Cloth Donation Campaign
under the slogan #اذا_ماتبيها_تبرع_فيها
The management of #المسؤولية_الاجتماعية in #جامعة_المعرفة in cooperation with the Imam Muhammad bin Saud Charity Association organizes a campaign to donate new and used clothes.
