Two Emirati students receive a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University

The Rhodes Scholarships in the United Arab Emirates announced the selection of two distinguished Emirati students to receive the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for the year 2025, in preparation for starting their postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford next academic year.

The two students who won the Rhodes Scholarship this year are Amal Musa Ali Al-Rabh, 22 years old, who is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Khalifa University, and Fatima Mohammed Abdullah Al Nuaimi, 24 years old, who studies English and comparative literature at Columbia University in the United States of America. With their selection, they will join an elite group of influential young people from around the world in October 2026, where they will pursue graduate programs that align with their aspirations to make a tangible impact in their fields of specialization.

This year’s two winners were selected from a large pool of applicants by the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee in the UAE. The scholarship candidates embody the basic principles of the scholarship, including excellence, leadership capabilities, responsible behavior, and commitment to community service, which are values ​​that are consistent with the strategic objectives of the National Youth Agenda 2031, which seeks to enhance the role of Emirati youth in various vital sectors.

The UAE Rhodes Scholarship selection committee includes an elite group of leaders and prominent figures in the country and former winners of the Rhodes Scholarship. The committee is chaired by Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Cultural Affairs and non-resident ambassador to the Vatican.

Omar Saif Ghobash, Chairman of the Selection Committee, said: “Every year, we are inspired by the unique talents, solid goals, and strong convictions of our applicants. The Rhodes Scholarship embodies the UAE’s belief in the role of education as an engine for growth at the individual, national and global levels.”

He added: “Knowledge, the exchange of experiences, and intellectual passion are essential pillars in building cohesive societies that look confidently towards the future. This strong connection is embodied by Rhodes graduates who are known for their academic excellence and their leadership based on a clear vision and purposeful purpose. We look forward to seeing the new generation continuing this influential global legacy through their direct contributions to the UAE’s journey and strengthening our shared commitment to global progress.”

For her part, Angela Migli, Executive Director of the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, the scholarship’s sponsor, said: “Behind every Rhodes Scholar is a story shaped by perseverance and purpose, and support and guidance. The Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation believes that the true investment of the UAE lies in providing an environment in which future generations learn, grow, and lead responsibly. The Rhodes Scholarship embodies this belief, as it provides an educational legacy that connects the country.” With global knowledge and innovation networks, since the launch of the program in the country, it has enabled talented students to continue their education, contribute to shaping the future of the Emirates, consolidate impact and create a source of inspiration for future generations.”

The winning student, Amal Musa Ali Al-Rabh, was born and raised in Dubai, and chose to study biomedical engineering to explore the intersection of technology, medicine and global politics. Her university career, which included international exchange programs and research in clinical oncology, shaped her vision for providing culturally appropriate healthcare solutions with a sustainable impact in the UAE. She intends to continue her studies at the University of Oxford, where she will obtain two master’s degrees: the first in health care improvement and evaluation, and the second in medical physics.

On this occasion, Amal commented, “I do not view biomedical engineering as a science only, but rather as a commitment to achieving the benefit of all humanity. My goal at the University of Oxford is to integrate advanced technology and medical policies to build a health care sector that takes into account our cultural specificity and is carefully designed to serve our people, thus embodying the values ​​of service and innovation established by the leaders of our nation.”

As for the student Fatima Mohammed Abdullah Al Nuaimi, who is from the Emirate of Ajman, she majored in English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. Her academic work, with its deep focus on regional literatures not represented in her specialty, especially emerging Gulf literature, formed the compass of her career. She will continue her studies for a Master’s degree in World Literary Studies at the prestigious University of Oxford.

Fatima said: “My journey is the result of a firm belief that literature is an essential tool for understanding the complexities of our world, and I have a commitment to including regional narratives, which have not previously received much study, at the heart of the global literary debate. The World Literature Program at Oxford, in addition to interacting within the global interdisciplinary Rhodes community, will enable me to contribute to the academic and creative spaces of the UAE, thus bridging the gaps in the world’s understanding of us, and connecting our regional voices to global platforms.”

Since its launch in the UAE in 2013 with the support of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, the Rhodes Scholarship has provided 24 students with the opportunity to join the prestigious international community at Oxford University, which includes nearly 8,000 Rhodes alumni around the world.

This investment in high-level education is at the heart of achieving the goals of the UAE Centennial 2071, which aims to empower future generations with advanced skills and values ​​that elevate the country to the ranks of the best in the world. The impact of the program has been evident since its early years, as recipients of the Rhodes Scholarship from the UAE in previous years hold senior leadership positions in the government, and assume pivotal roles in the most prominent economic and societal sectors in the country.