ABU DHABI // The Emirates Foundation has announced its first scholarships for Emiratis to study for doctorates at overseas universities.
Three men ? physicist Essa Tariq Khoory, electrical engineer Khalid Younus Kalbat and chemical engineer Khalid al Mehairi ? have been selected for the scholarships.
They will study at Imperial College London, and Columbia University and the Florida Institute of Technology in the US, respectively.
The scholarship scheme aims to fix what officials say is a shortage of Emiratis working towards doctorates. The programme began this year and is open to people who have been accepted at major accredited overseas universities.
Organisers aim to focus on studies for social development, education, arts and culture, science and technology and environmental sciences ? areas that could be of value to the UAE's development.
Ahmed Ali al Sayegh, the Emirates Foundation's managing director, said that until now most support had been for master's level studies, rather than PhDs.
Applications for the 2008-09 academic year were reviewed by an evaluation committee and shortlisted candidates were interviewed.
dbardsley@thenational.ae
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The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
