São Paulo – Moroccan school Qalam wa Lawh has just launched its "Ibn Battuta Merit Scholarship for Peace and Diplomacy" programme, which offers scholarships of up to three months to students from the world over who are interested in studying classic Arabic. The school’s building is located in Souissi, one of the most elegant neighbourhoods in Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
Those interested may opt for the autumn programmes (from August 29 to November 20, 2010), winter (December 12, 2010 to January 16, 2011) or spring (from February 1st to April 25, 2011). Initially, the school is offering five scholarships for each period.
The scholarships cover the course and lodging costs. The tickets to Rabat and back are up to the students themselves. The students awarded will attend regular courses of four-hours per day, in classes of up to eight students. Students will be lodged at student housing.
In order to apply, students must write an essay ranging from 600 to 1,000 words, answering the question “What do you hope to achieve through your study of the Arabic language?”. Candidates must have completed at least two university semesters in classic Arabic (or modern Arabic) or equivalent studies (minimum of 80 class hours). The essay may be written in English or in Arabic.
According to Malaika Freeland, a partner of the school, the decision of establishing the scholarship programme arose out of the realization that 70% of Arabic students give up the course before reaching the intermediate level.
"Arabic is a very difficult language to learn and it is expensive, when compared with most other languages, because it takes longer to learn. Thus, the scholarship really aims to promote a higher level of study of the language. That is why the scholarship is geared only towards students who have had at least 80 hours of Arabic studies. Presently, the only scholarships available for Arabic studies are granted by the United States government, and are given only to students from the United States. The Ibn Battuta merit scholarships are open to students of all nationalities.”
In addition to the requirements that have already been mentioned, three letters of recommendation are also required, including at least one by an Arabic teacher. Students must also submit transcripts of their grades in the Arabic courses that they have attended.
In order to enrol, students must fill the form at the school’s site, send the required documents (copy of the passport, recommendation letters, essay and grade transcripts) by mail or e-mail to Qalam wa Lawh Center for Arabic Studies, under the title Ibn Battuta Scholarship.
The deadlines for enrolment are as follows:
Autumn programme – April 15, 2010
Winter programme – July 15, 2010
Spring programme – September 15, 2010
According to Malaika, applicants selected to receive the scholarship will be notified approximately one month after the deadline date for each programme.
Service
Qalam wa Lawh
3 Ave. Ahmed Balafrej
Souissi, Rabat
10000 Morocco
Tel.: +212 (537) 75-57-90
e-mail: arabic@qalamcenter.com
www.qalamcenter.com
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
