Higher Education Ministry reforms foreign missions regulations for academic excellence

The Ministry of Higher Education has amended the Foreign Missions Regulations to enhance graduates quality, reduce academic failure, and ensure fairness in scholarship distribution. These changes, aimed at achieving the highest standards of scientific efficiency, will be implemented starting from the 2025/2026 academic year.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Lamia Al-Malhem, stated in a press release that the amendments were introduced following a comprehensive evaluation of the scholarship policy’s outcomes over the past years.

This review involved analyzing target goals, academic standards, international university requirements, and periodic reports from cultural offices abroad.

Among the key changes to the foreign scholarship regulations is the replacement of the preliminary English language stage with a mandatory minimum IELTS score of 5.5.

Additionally, students must meet the university’s required score for their chosen specialization before joining their designated institution. To fulfill this requirement, accepted students will be given a full calendar year from the announcement of acceptance results.

Reasons for Stumbling

Al-Malhem explained that the decision was made after analyzing the causes of students’ academic failure and its impact on their educational progress. The study revealed that some students completed the language program with only the minimum passing requirement, without acquiring the necessary proficiency to use the language effectively in an academic setting. This lack of mastery led to difficulties in their specialized studies and, in many cases, academic failure.

Mission of Excellence

Al-Malhem highlighted that the amendments to the scholarship regulations also include changes to the Excellence Scholarship criteria. To remain eligible, students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.67 on a 4-point scale or its equivalent in other grading systems during their studies. This revision aligns with the Ministry’s efforts to enhance graduate quality and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence.

Equal Opportunities

Al-Malhem emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring justice and equal opportunities for all students in accessing study missions. As part of this effort, the foreign missions regulations have been amended to require that applicants must not have previously received a scholarship or grant within Kuwait for a first university degree (Bachelor’s), unless they reimburse the expenses incurred. This measure aims to optimize resource allocation and enhance support for students more effectively.

Furthermore, Al-Malhem emphasized that the amendments to the foreign missions regulations are designed to enhance education quality and improve student performance in international universities. These changes also aim to reduce language barriers that may hinder academic progress, thereby lowering high failure rates and helping to develop distinguished national talents capable of competing in both local and global job markets.

Early Readiness

Al-Malhem urged students planning to study abroad to prepare early for the approved English language tests to secure admission to prestigious universities and meet the requirements for their scholarship placements.

Moreover, Al-Malhem emphasized the importance of following the Ministry’s official announcements on social media for academic support and guidance, particularly through the upcoming annual “Wajihni” campaign, which will be launched alongside the admission plan for the current year.

Additionally, the Ministry remains committed to regularly monitoring the performance of scholarship students through its cultural offices to ensure they maintain the required academic standards and succeed in their studies.

Source: Al Rai