The University of Birmingham Dubai has awarded the first of its exclusive ‘fully-funded’ scholarships, each worth up to Dh300,000, to four international students living in Dubai.
Malika Chandoo, from the UK, will begin a PGCE Secondary Education course in Mathematics, while Leen Wasim from Syria is joining the MSc International Business programme.

Kareem Malati from Egypt will study a foundation year before starting a BEng Mechanical Engineering, and Anukriti Jaiswal, from India, will join BSc Computer Science.
The Chancellor’s Full Scholarship Awards celebrates the inaugural year of the University of Birmingham Dubai and are offered to applicants achieving exceptional academic results coupled with extra-curricular talent or impact.
The awards cover the total costs of tuition fees across all years of study, which could amount to up to Dh300,000.

Applications were invited from students predicted to score top grades in their high school exams, as well as those demonstrating extra-curricular talent or impact activities such as volunteering, charity or community work, sports, music or the arts.
The university opens its doors to the first cohort of students this month and is holding an open day on campus at Dubai International Academic City on September 8, where eligible prospective students can take advantage of on-the-spot offers and scholarships.
High achieving students
Chandoo comes to the University of Birmingham Dubai after previously working as a Chartered Accountant for PwC in the UK. She is also involved in organising youth and sports camps for youngsters in the local community.
“I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Chancellor’s Full Scholarship as I embark on this new career path which will enable me to give a little back to future generations,” she said.
Wasim studied human resources management at the American University of the Emirates, graduating with the highest honours. “I’ve always been passionate about business studies and consider myself to be very lucky to get the chance to join a world-known British university without having to leave my country of residence,” said Wasim.
Meanwhile, Malati worked closely with his local church’s Saint Arsanious foundation to help educate youngsters from a poor village in Egypt, and worked to raise money to help provide the wider village with food, accommodation and other needs. “I got a sudden rush of excitement and happiness on learning that I won this prestigious award from such a huge university. I’m sure I’ll be able to make the most out of this opportunity,” he said.
The fourth student, Jaiswal, raised funds for underprivileged people in Delhi and Mumbai as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award. She has also taken part in several international youth conferences organised by the Model United Nations.
The university’s Chancellor, Lord Karan Bilimoria, is delighted to sponsor the Chancellor’s Full Scholarship Awards as a commitment to the outstanding students that the University of Birmingham has a history of attracting.
“We aim to offer the highest quality academic experience to stretch and challenge our students in Dubai, while encouraging bold, independent thinking to ensure that our graduates are equipped to stand out in a competitive, global employment market,” said Lord Bilimoria.