Abu Dhabi: A 21-year-old Indian student has been awarded the 2015 Falcon scholarship in recognition of her consistently good academic record and her dedication to community services programmes.
Arfa Rehman, who is pursuing a double major in social research and public policy, and visual arts at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), will be travelling next September to complete her post-graduate studies at University of Oxford.
The scholarship is granted to distinguished undergraduate students and administrated by the Rhodes Trust. It covers study at the University of Oxford for a minimum of two years.
“My mother has played an instrumental role in my life as well as my education,” Arfa, whose mother works as a university professor in Saudi Arabia, told Gulf News. “She is very supportive especially when it comes to education. She has left her home country in a very young age to complete her studies and pursue her dreams. I hope I made her proud,” she added.
The selection committee for the Falcon scholarship looks for outstanding leaders who are motivated to fight “the world’s fight” and consider the fulfilment of public duties as their highest aim while also promoting international understanding and peace.
Out of around nine finalists, Arfa, who was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, was the candidate who stood out with her outstanding intellect, character, leadership and commitment to service.
The Falcon scholarship supports students who demonstrate a strong desire to step up as leaders ready to take responsibility for the world’s future.
Candidates for the Falcon scholarship are assessed against four criteria: literary and scholastic attainments, energy to use one’s talents to the full, devotion to duty and moral force of character and instinct to lead.
“My plan is to pursue a master’s of science in comparative social policy as well as an MBA at Oxford. I want to examine and look at how business and enterprises can contribute to social changes. I am interested in social entrepreneurship and I hope one day I can have my own business,” Arfa, who is expected to graduate in May 2015, told Gulf News.
At Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, Rhodes scholars join over 20,000 students from more than 140 countries currently studying at the university, and are enriched by the stimulating and rigorous education and the vibrant cultural community life.
