The GEMS UniConnect programme has to date seen more than 400 GEMS Education students enrol in partner universities in September 2018, with scholarships covering up to 100 per cent of tuition and valued at more than AED 2 million. In addition, the initiative secured over AED 1 million in scholarships and prizes for GEMS Education students attending 2018 summer programmes offered by partner universities.
Launched in late 2017 and designed to provide financial aid to students seeking admission at university, UniConnect has already developed partnerships with a total of 90 post-secondary institutions across the world, securing scholarships for GEMS Education students worth more than AED 700 million.
Among the biggest UniConnect success stories is Middlesex University Dubai, which accepted 375 applications from GEMS Education graduates and subsequently awarded 224 scholarships. This was followed by Eduscope, which placed 35 GEMS Education students in universities based in Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, and other Central and Eastern European countries on scholarships averaging 50 per cent.
Additional success stories include 33 scholarships from Amity University, 25 from Heriot-Watt University, 19 from American University in Dubai, including four 100 per cent scholarships, 16 from Canadian University Dubai, as well as scholarships from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai, Spain-based IE, and Dubai-based SAE Institute and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. PwC also provided scholarships to four GEMS Education students enrolled in the company’s Young Employable Scholar (YES) programme.
Christophe Savard, Vice President – Career and Future Employment Architect, GEMS Education, said: “It is pleasing to see the immediate positive impact that the UniConnect programme is having on our students and our partner institutions, many of whom have reported a significant increase in enrolments thanks to UniConnect. Our aim is to provide our students with best-fit options in high school and beyond, and the success stories thus far indicate that we are making progress towards delivering GEMS Education’s mission to put a quality education within the reach of every child. We are delighted that so many of our graduates have been able to gain from scholarships offered by our university partners – scholarships for foundation and summer programmes, as well as undergraduate courses. UniConnect is growing on a daily basis as we continue to welcome on board new institutions from across the globe. This means GEMS students and their families can look forward to even more opportunities and support in the years ahead.”
Dr Yousef Al Assaf, President, RIT Dubai, said: “RIT University in Dubai is very proud of its partnership with GEMS Education. The aim of this partnership is to give students various opportunities to further develop their academic and personal skills, and prepare them for a successful global future. RIT Dubai provides them with a comprehensive ecosystem that focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship in conjunction with leading local and international industry partners. We are impressed with the quality and dedication of GEMS Education students.”
Ben Bailey, Campus Director, University of Birmingham, said: “The University of Birmingham is delighted to be working in partnership with GEMS Education to support GEMS students and parents to make excellent choices about their future in relation to higher education. The university is proud to partner and provide scholarship support to assist students to benefit from a University of Birmingham education.”
Professor Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor, Gulf Medical University, said: “Our project with GEMS Education schools – ‘The Future Scientists of UAE’ – has proven to be a great success. The students are highly motivated and excited that they are learning in a state-of-the-art research facility, learning how to think like their mentors, the researchers. We look forward this year to having another group of students.”
Tasnim Neetoo, a Year 11 student at GEMS Wellington International School – Dubai, who participated in The Future Scientists of UAE initiative, commented: “To me research is important as making discoveries can help people cure diseases. This experience has broadened my perspective, and now I know that I definitely want to work in the medical field. As I am a social, visual and physical learner, being in the lab with my classmates has been very effective in developing my learning.”
