Introduction

The Programme is funded by the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), with the specific aim of reducing poverty in the following 21 Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs):

1. Afghanistan
2. Bangladesh
3. Benin
4. Burkina Faso
5. Chad
6. Comoros
7. Djibouti
8. Gambia
9. Guinea
10. Guinea-Bissau
11. Mali
12. Mauritania
13. Mozambique
14. Niger
15. Senegal
16. Sierra Leone
17. Somali
18. Sudan
19. Togo
20. Uganda
21. Yemen

Concept

The Programme provides educational opportunities to academically meritorious and financially impoverished young men and women from the above 21 LDMCs to pursue Bachelor degree at a public/government university and to train them in specific fields and enable them to make a meaningful contribution to the development of their countries.

The scholarship is awarded as an interest-free Flex-Pay Installment Loan (Qard Hasan) to the students. Repayment will take place once the students finish their study and secure a gainful employment, to a Local Education Trust Fund (LETF) established in each member country benefiting from the Programme. The collected amounts are to be recycled in new scholarships offered to students from the same country.

Eligibility Criteria

The Programme is open for academically meritorious students with strong desire to engage in social services and community development after graduation.  The prospective candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Citizens of any of the 21 IsDB LDMCs mentioned above.
• Completed high school with minimum good grades in major subjects;
• Not in receipt of any other scholarship; and 
• Be medically fit and willing to undergo medical tests after selection.

Fields of Study

The eligible candidates may apply to study only in the following fields of study:

Benefits and facilities 

The programme covers the following items:

• Monthly stipend commensurate with the cost of living of the country of study;
• Tuition fees, if any, subject to IsDB’s approval;
• Cost of medical treatment at university/government hospital; 
• Economy class return air tickets (once at the time of joining and on completion of study) and installation and equipment allowance for the students selected to study abroad at partnered universities/countries.

To help students prepare themselves for their future leading role in the development of their communities and countries, the IsDB also provides them with extra-curricular activities under a special programme called “Mentorship, Guidance and Counselling Programme” to ensure their academic progress and social and psychological integration at the university as well as with the local community environment.

Place of Study 

Consistent with the concept of the Programme, selected students must obtain admissions in one of the approved fields of study at one of the top public/government universities in their own countries. In case of unavailability of fields of study in their home countries, they can seek admission in member countries having agreement with the IsDB, i.e. Malaysia, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, National University of Uzbekistan and Tashkent University of Information Technologies

Obligations 

Candidates granted the scholarship are expected to:

1. Sign the IsDB’s prescribed Scholarship Agreement stating their commitment to their studies and serve their communities and countries upon graduation;  
2. Devote themselves to their studies on a full-time basis and without interruption and provide the IsDB with progress reports on their studies on a regular basis;
3. Not to seek or accept other scholarship or remunerated work during their study under the Programme; 
4. Respect the laws of the country of study and maintain good personal and professional conduct consistent with the rules, regulations and objectives of the Programme and the overall mission of the IsDB;
5. Register and join the IsDB Alumni after graduation to network with other alumnus and keep updating the IsDB about their progress and achievements in their communities/countries.
6. Refund the loan after graduation and securing gainful employment, in easy instalments, to Local Education Trust Fund (LETF) established by the IsDB in their countries.  

Selection Process

The review and selection process are undertaken by an independent International Selection Committee, composed of academicians and chaired by the Senior Advisor to the IsDB President for Science, Technology and Innovation. 

The Selection Committee assesses the applicants’ qualifications and eligibility requirements and ascertains the scientific and development relevance of the proposed fields of study. Recommendation for final selection is made by the committee and final selection is approved by the IsDB management whose decision is final.