Culture & Education | Sunday 24 May, 2015 9:35 am |

Several Saudis have urged the government to expand the foreign scholarship program arguing that it is highly beneficial for the country’s development.

Journalist and writer Ali Al-Khseiban said the program is an advanced education project that not only provides Saudi men and women the opportunity to study at the world’s top universities, but also gain exposure to other cultures.

He said the program of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman invests in the future of Saudis and have shown impressive results. “The high number of applicants shows that Saudi students are eager to be part of this program. This reflects positively on it,” he said.

In response to a question, he said the government is not sending many Saudis on scholarships to Arab universities because of the political situation in several of these nations. He said Arab universities are known for their quality programs.

In addition, there are currently many Saudis studying at universities and colleges in Arab nations, and the government wants them to graduate before sending the next group, he said.

He rejected reports that there have been problems with the scholarship program, and that students abroad have been morally corrupted. These were rumors spread by those who believe they have “ideological authority” over others and are playing on people’s emotions “to prevent society from developing.”