Alumni Comments

Over the years, the MBI Al Jaber Foundation scholarship programme has had a great and lasting impact on all of our scholars. 

Read excerpts and letters from some of our alumni about their experiences as MBI Scholars and how the Foundation has influenced their lives.

For me, the MBI scholarship was an eye-opening experience; I started experiencing a bigger world than my close circle which made me question and evaluate many things I took for granted thus broadening my perspective and increasing my tolerance. In a nutshell, MBI helped make me who I am today.

- University of Westminster Scholar, 2004

I'd like to tell you that I passed my exams with a distinction grade. This success would not be achieved without the great help of the MBI Foundation and the support of the kind staff of the Foundation. This success is not only mine, it's yours as well. Thank you so much. Please convey my regards and deep thanks to all MBI Foundation members.

- Yemen Scholar, 2009

I am writing this letter to show my deep appreciation for your kindness and your generosity which is being shown in the right time of my need for this scholarship after being disappointed from all other organisations which I have been in touch with. Your generous support is helping me to fulfil a lifelong dream of going to MODUL University in Vienna to study a Master of Business Administration in Tourism Management.

There are times in one's life when one finds himself in a helpless and hopeless situation, and it is then that the crucial and timely support makes a major difference and appears as a small ray of light in a dark tunnel. It is this guidance and the confidence placed by you in my ability that has shown me the correct direction to follow and come out of this tricky situation.

In the past also, you have been very supportive in the most trying times to many peoples and students and to the Arab world to develop many sections, where you could have been a mute spectator but being actively involved, you have displayed a very humane nature.

Your mentoring has meant a great deal to me and I look forward to your continued support. I would once again like to acknowledge your help with a deep sense of gratitude. Thank you again for your generosity and support. I promise you that I will study harder and harder to achieve my goal.

- MODUL Scholar, 2009

The programme changed my life with all its encouragement and support throughout my year at SOAS during my Masters.  I can never voice my appreciation enough for all the MBI did for me during my year of study., from academic support to even seeing me through the smallest daily details of my life whilst studying. Today I am a more motivated person because of MBI’s help and recognition.

- SOAS Scholar, 2003

It's an opportunity that changes you forever. On a professional level, it allows you to interact in a prestigious academic environment and on a personal level interact within an international milieu with a multitude of cultures for you to be exposed to. Your personality becomes richer more open and you become better equipped for future work challenges. It gave me the opportunity to develop my skills and education in the fields of management and policy development. It opened up career opportunities and gave me the chance to live in the world's most cultural and lively countries.

I would like to thank Sheikh Al Jaber for giving me and other Arab youths the opportunity to study in such acclaimed academic institutions. I have tried to use this experience for the advancement of the Arab world and contribute to its growth until it reaches the enlightenment era which we will aspire to experience once again.

- University of Westminster Scholar, 2001

The MBI Al Jaber Foundation Scholarship Programme opened great opportunities both on the personal and professional sides. It gave me access to top-notch career prospects and exposure to the financial sector, which would hopefully benefit my country when I go back.  It also gave me the opportunity to live in London, which is a unique multi-cultural and diverse society.  I hope I can someday give back a fraction of what the MBI has provided me, and help others get the same opportunities – I am working on it!!

- LSE Scholar, 2003

The Foundation gave me a much needed opportunity to study at an institution with an intense yet nurturing environment. As a result of the generous support, I was able to pursue an active academic life, through publishing and teaching. It also gave me the opportunity to delve deep into my field, putting extra time, money and effort into my thesis and going the extra mile because I was so well financially supported. It has deeply impacted my personal and professional life and was instrumental in placing me in a position to get an acceptance to study at Cambridge University; an opportunity that I hope will benefit my field and country upon my return.

- AUC Scholar, 2006 

It gave me an opportunity that I might have never had, helped me broaden my horizon and decide what I want to do with my life.  Doing my masters and interacting with many international students, helped me get a more focused view of the world, our strengths and weaknesses in it as Arabs and what we as Arabs and me as a person should do to make our lives in general, our area and countries in specific, better.  I found the inner strength and belief in my capability as a person to change the world to the better through research, building bridges and finding solutions that we as academics and researchers might see that could be oblivious to others.

- AUC Scholar, 2004

It is very honourable from your part to consider supporting ambitious, devoted and educated students like ourselves, in my case, words of gratitude and thanks would not actually describe the extent to which your scholarship has motivated me to be able to give more, learn more and be a better person to myself, my family and my country. Being a 23 year-old student who struggled her way through university aiming to reach a higher level of education and thought, such a nice and thoughtful gesture as yours would make me feel encouraged to pursue even higher education.  I hope to be able to achieve all my dreams, and I am sure that I can, as long as there are still people like yourself who appreciate the beauty of youth and knowledge. I also hope that one day I’ll even be able to help others in their education, because now I know how a student feels when he knows he is appreciated.

- AUB Scholar, 2002