Saudi Scholarships Spur Bangladeshi Students to Pursue Higher Education
DHAKA- Saudi Arabia is expanding scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students, with the number of annual fully funded awards set to rise from 265 to 500 following an announcement by Saudi Ambassador Abdullah bin Abiyah last month, reflecting growing educational cooperation between the two countries and increasing demand among Bangladeshi students for higher education in the Kingdom.
The expanded scholarship program follows a 2022 initiative that offers fully funded undergraduate and postgraduate places at Saudi universities in disciplines including science, engineering, Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature. According to the program, the Saudi government covers international airfare, tuition fees, accommodation, meals, an annual book allowance and a monthly living stipend.
The announcement came after a meeting between Ambassador Abdullah bin Abiyah and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, during which the envoy said the number of scholarships available to Bangladeshi students would increase to 500 annually.
The initiative has attracted students from across Bangladesh, many of whom view Saudi universities as an opportunity to pursue higher education without financial constraints while gaining academic and religious experience.
Among the latest recipients is 21-year-old Alimul Islam from Khulna, who said he had been admitted to study at a university in Madinah after aspiring to do so for several years. Islam told Arab News that receiving the scholarship had been an overwhelming moment for him and that his friends were equally enthusiastic about his opportunity to study in the Kingdom.
Another scholarship recipient, Mohammad Hasib from Chapainawabganj, is preparing to begin a four-year bachelor’s degree in Arabic literature at Qassim University in Buraidah. He told Arab News that the academic reputation of graduates from Saudi universities, along with the example set by former students from his madrasa and teachers who had studied in the Kingdom, influenced his decision.
Hasib said he hoped to strengthen his command of Arabic, learn about Saudi culture and eventually return to Bangladesh to become a madrasa teacher, fulfilling both his personal ambitions and his parents’ aspirations.
Saudi universities have become increasingly attractive to Bangladeshi applicants in recent years as many institutions now offer programs taught in English, reducing the need for prior proficiency in Arabic.
Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Al-Madani, treasurer of the Association of Saudi University Graduates in Bangladesh, said students holding an International English Language Testing System qualification could enroll in English-language programs, broadening access for applicants.
Al-Madani told Arab News that the comprehensive financial support available through Saudi scholarships allows students to complete higher education without significant financial hardship. He said the level of support compares favorably with opportunities available in Europe and North America.
He also cited the strong social, cultural and religious links between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as another factor encouraging students to study in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia hosts about 3.5 million Bangladeshis, making them the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom as well as the biggest Bangladeshi population living abroad, according to the information provided.
Al-Madani said many Bangladeshi students also value the opportunity to live near Islam’s holiest sites in Makkah and Madinah, where they may perform Hajj and Umrah while pursuing their studies, adding a religious dimension to their academic experience.
