In a significant move for state government sponsored students overseas, the Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, has announced a comprehensive review of the stipend rates, which haven been unchanged for seven years.
The announcement was made during the latest episode of the Spokesperson Podcast produced by the President’s Office.
To address longstanding delays, the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development will begin its disbursement process two months ahead of schedule. Minister Haidar acknowledged that while the ministry works diligently to pay on time, logistical delays and incomplete documentation from students can cause setbacks.
He urged students to submit their documents well in advance to facilitate faster processing, noting that funds cannot be released without all required paperwork.
A key focus of the announcement was the forthcoming stipend review. The Minister stated that the current rates have been in place for around seven years and no longer reflect the rising cost of living in host countries. This review aims to rectify situations where fixed stipends are insufficient for students who end up residing in a nation with a higher cost of living.
Additionally, to improve communication and support, the Ministry has established dedicated 24-hour hot-line numbers for students. These helplines, currently available for countries with over 50 students, will be expanded to include nations with more than 25 students, as per a directive from the President.
This initiative is designed to provide continuous assistance and resolve issues promptly.