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As the kingdom’s nine brightest Bahraini students embark on their university adventures as Crown Prince Scholars, the international programme organisers have made sure to prepare them for their new lives abroad with a first-of-its-kind informal workshop on problem-solving techniques.
The Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme’s (CPISP) dedicated team of professionals spent a day with the youngsters arming them with informative tips and tricks on how to cope in various situations from simply being homesick to what to do during a financial emergency.
Esmat Ahmed, head of public relations and media, said: “This year, for the group of scholars that received the Programme’s 2015 scholarships, we set up an informal workshop on problem-solving techniques.
“The aim of it was to introduce the scholars on various scenarios they would likely encounter during their studies abroad, based on the experiences of our past scholars, and to prepare them for the most effective ways of handling them.
“For example, we took them through what to do in case of a financial emergency, how to handle safety-related issues, as well as simple situations such as getting along with a roommate.
“It was also an opportunity for them to ask questions, voice any concerns, as well as share their anxieties and excitement with us and each other on the journey they were about to embark on.”
The privately-funded programme, first established in 1999 by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, provides talented Bahrainis with fully-funded scholarships covering all fees, travel and living expenses to complete their further education in leading universities in the UK, US, France and Canada.
According to Miss Ahmed, the CPISP is considered to be one of the most distinguished scholarship programmes in the region because, as part of the Crown Prince’s vision, it supports its scholars in attaining the academic university-level degrees and qualifications and overall cultural experience that will allow them to achieve their professional dreams and aspirations at both a local and international scale.
She said: “The aim of this programme is to support outstanding Bahraini youth in attaining a solid international educational foundation from internationally-accredited universities and academic institutions.
“It also means they can receive international cultural exposure so that they can achieve their dreams and aspirations to be able to contribute to Bahrain’s development and HRH’s vision of building a modern Bahraini state and becoming an active member of the global community.”
Since its inception, it has awarded 156 youngsters with this opportunity, including the latest recipients aged between 17 and 18, namely Abdulla Ebrahim Husain, Yusuf Adel Ali Ismaeel, Bayan Ayoob Al Sairafi, Ebtihal Ali Jasim, Zahra Ali Marhoon, Bassam Jameel Al Alawi, Yusuf Ayaz Jailani, Dana Mahdi Salman Tarif and Fatima Jaafar Mirza Abdulla.
Aside from being offered an international education, CPISP also provides its scholars with internships, career development guidance and facilitates them with job placement after graduation.
Miss Ahmed added: “The success of its scholars, whether in Bahrain or internationally, reflects the success of the programme in achieving its vision.
“The programme allows its scholars to choose their desired field of study and accredited university they gain acceptance to, provided it is outside the region.
“Scholars can continue with post-graduate and doctoral degrees and are not required to return to Bahrain after graduation or work for a particular organisation. Instead, what the CPISP provides its scholars with are internships and career development guidance, and facilitates them with job placement after graduation.
“During their time as students sponsored by the programme, they are required and encouraged to do work internships, both in Bahrain and abroad, as well as take part in various travel abroad programmes, volunteer work and other extra-curricular activities.
“This not only develops their personal skills and cultural and professional awareness, but helps them plan their future career paths once they graduate from university. Many scholars secure jobs after they graduate as a result of their performances during the internships.
“The scholars are free to apply for local or international jobs that will further their career path and the programme helps to facilitate them with the process by sending out their CVs and recommendations to potential employers of their choice.”
Each year CPISP offers three public school boys, three public school girls, two private school boys and two private school girls the chance to represent the kingdom. The selection process starts a year before they graduate from secondary school and they must apply before they complete their 11th grade, or equivalent.
Before the candidacy process, the CPISP team briefs the highest-performing students about the programme and its application criteria through presentations and school visits. Students then submit their applications to the Scholarship Office within a specified deadline, and sit qualifying tests to assess their English proficiency and critical-reasoning abilities.
To qualify, students must have Bahraini citizenship as well as 97 per cent or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) for grade 10 and the first semester of grade 11. A minimum of 60 students are then short-listed based on their GPAs and qualifying test scores, and join the CPISP Candidacy Programme, which leads to the selection of the final recipients. Students taking part in the early stages include a minimum of 20 public school boys, 20 public school girls, 10 private school boys and 10 private school girls.
During the candidacy stage, the CPISP works in co-operation with local institutions and arranges for the applicants to take part in critical thinking and leadership training. It also offers foundation courses to prepare students for their IELTS and SAT exams.
Candidates also receive personality and career path assessment, take part in an academic writing course, complete a Level 3 certificate in Team Leading from the Chartered Management Institute, and attend guest lectures on various topics related to their academic and career plans and personal development.
Miss Ahmed said: “The programme is constantly working on developing the training and opportunities it provides its candidates and scholars. Starting with the candidacy training that is part of the selection process for our scholarship recipients, the programme has introduced new courses and workshops that the students can benefit from whether they receive the scholarship or not.
“For example, a three-day academic writing course was introduced in co-operation with BIBF that aims to strengthen writing and editing skills needed in an academic and professional environment.”
This year, the programme collaborated with INJAZ Bahrain, a non-profit organisation that aims to inspire and prepare young Bahrainis to succeed in a global economy, in setting up a one-day workshop for candidates entitled ‘I Camp’.
The Innovation Day Camp focused on developing entrepreneurial skills and exposing participants to the requirements of business start-ups. Students worked in teams to find inventive solutions to real business challenges under the guidance of a corporate mentor.
The final recipients are selected based on their GPA, SAT and IELTS scores as well as critical thinking and leadership training results. It is reviewed by an independent auditing firm to ensure accuracy and transparency and the scholars must maintain a GPA of 3.0 to keep the award.
Financial support continues until their doctorate degree if the participants choose to pursue their education to this level. The Crown Prince also meets with all scholars sponsored by the programme during their holiday breaks to personally follow up on their progress. Miss Ahmed believes this helps motivate the scholars to excel and pursue their passions.
The scholars from the Ministry of Education schools are placed in boarding schools in either the US or UK for a period of two years to obtain either an American High School Diploma or to complete their A’ levels, before applying to university.
For example, Ebtihal, 17, from Karzakan, a student at Ghazi Al Qosaibi Secondary Girls School, will be attending the Hun School of Princeton. She said: “I was very excited when I heard the news of my scholarship that I cried for half-an-hour because I wasn’t expecting it.
“My family has been very supportive from the beginning so they were overjoyed when we received the news. My goal is to have a successful educational experience and career that will help me contribute to Bahrain’s future development.”
Abdulla, 17, from Muharraq, who attended the Muharraq Secondary Boys’ School, will also be studying in the US at Choate Rosemary Hall. He said: “I worked hard to get the scholarship as it was my dream to pursue my studies in the US.
“By attending Choate Rosemary Hall it will give me some time to make up my mind on what I would like to major in the future. I hope to finish my studies with honours and the best grades to be able to benefit the country and promote the Bahraini community.
“My message to future applicants is to go for it! Some may think it is extremely hard to go through the candidacy programme and get the scholarship; however, hard work pays.
“The candidacy programme takes up the whole summer and continues throughout your senior year, but it is a life-changing and educating experience. Even for those who don’t get the scholarship, they can benefit from all the courses and tests that are offered.”
CPISP officials personally escorted the public school scholars to their boarding schools, introduced them to their new surroundings and helped them settle in.
The public school students left Bahrain together as a group around the end of August and were dropped off to their respective boarding schools. As for the private school students, they left independently for direct university entry based on their individual university acceptance and start dates for the autumn term at the beginning of this month.
Yusuf, 18, from Zinj, who graduated from Bahrain Bayan School, aims to shine in economics at the celebrated American Ivy League School, Harvard University.
Yusuf said: “I got the news on the day before my birthday! It was in the evening while I was studying for my school exams when a lady called and asked for my mother, Shawikar. When I gave my mum the phone she started tearing up.
“It goes without saying that I was absolutely ecstatic but I also did not really know how to react, because frankly, how does one react to something so huge? My family were all really happy – my parents in particular. I always strive to make them proud and I hope this was a good step towards achieving that; they deserve the best.
“My next step is to graduate. At Harvard, students do not declare their concentration until the end of the sophomore year, so I’m currently planning to look around for these two years, explore my options, before really tying myself down to one field. But, right now, I’m leaning toward a degree in economics.
“Whatever I end up doing, I just hope I’m constantly challenged and given a platform to display my potential.”
For more information, visit www.cpisp.bh which also includes the individual achievements of its scholars.
