Abu Dhabi, UAE, 11 August 2020:   Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has announced a 20% reduction in fees for the country’s healthcare heroes, their spouses and children, in recognition and appreciation of their tireless efforts in safeguarding the health and safety of our community during the COVID-19 outbreak. The initiative seeks to lend a helping hand to healthcare workers and their families, who wish to enroll in undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. Scholarship recipients will have access to more than 50 academic programs as of the first semester of the academic year 2020-2021 at the university's campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Al Dhafra. 

HE Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of ADU’s Board of Directors, affirmed that the United Arab Emirates has set a leading example in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The wise leadership provided all the necessary support for citizens and residents, embodying the UAE’s values of humanity and cohesion. Abu Dhabi University has been a major contributor to the UAE’s efforts in fighting this pandemic, since the outbreak of Covid-19. Recently, Abu Dhabi University’s research team succeeded in developing an advanced prototype for a face shield that has since been mass-produced and donated to hospitals across the Emirate,” HE said. 

Bin Harmal highlighted that the University is proud to provide this scholarship for healthcare heroes who have worked tirelessly in the face of this pandemic. The scholarship is in line with ADU’s values and mission to boost science and knowledge and provide pioneering academic programs for specialized health cadres. 
Bin Harmal noted that this scholarship aims to nurture and support healthcare students and in turn contribute to the future ranks of healthcare professionals in the UAE and help position the country as a regional and global healthcare hub. Bin Harmal added: “As we grow and expand to meet the healthcare needs of the UAE, ADU has launched the College of Health Sciences, the most recent college established in Abu Dhabi University; it currently offers BSc programs in Laboratory Medicine, Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Nutrition, as well as Environmental Health & Safety and Public Health, which all play an integral role in qualifying capable cadres for crisis management and dealing with disasters and epidemics such as COVID-19.”  

Students who receive the scholarship are required to maintain a GPA of no less than 3.0 and must enroll in a certain number of hours each semester and must not repeat the same courses that they had previously taken to maintain their eligibility for the scholarship. 

Abu Dhabi University had also previously launched a pioneering national initiative seeking to provide comprehensive scholarships for Emirati students who are unable to finance their studies due the COVID-19 situation, in an effort to help them continue their academic journey and obtain their bachelor's degree in one of ADU’s programs.