The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, has signed, through its funding arm the ICT Fund, an agreement with the Scholarship Coordination Office, SCO, of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, to fund 15 overseas scholarships.

The agreement signature took place during TRA’s participation in GITEX Technology Week 2017.

The agreement aims to provide more seats in the best international universities in domains that serve the ICT sector, and thus support the country with distinguished graduates who are capable of developing and enhancing the ICT sector to develop and build a competitive economy led by innovative and creative Emiratis.

Majed Al Mesmar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ICT Fund, said that the TRA’s strategy in developing specialised human resources and supporting the higher education sector is steadily progressing with the firm belief that investing in the nation's youth is one of the most important investments that guarantee continuous development and leadership of the country.

Al Mesmar added, "The TRA will continue to support students and raise the level of innovation among the young generation, through its Betha’ Scholarship Programme as well as other programmes launched by TRA with the aim of enhancing its social role, and fulfilling its responsibilities towards the community in developing its members and preparing them to lead the future, as well as assuring the continuous progress and leadership in our beloved country."

Al Mesmar explained that the agreement allows distinguished students to pursue their studies and scientific specialisation, in the best universities in the world, to meet the needs of different sectors in the country upon return, which would enable these young expert generations to lead and keep pace with major transformations in the ICT sector.

Dr. Ali Ghanem Al Ari, Director of External Scholarships in the Scholarships Office at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, praised the collaboration with TRA, saying that the agreement will provide highly qualified Emirati cadres to meet the needs of the telecom sector, which is rapidly growing and in great need of skilled nationals. He said that he appreciated the role of the TRA in supporting distinguished students in their pursuit of qualitative academic excellence.