High-achieving Emirati students in Dubai will receive additional support during their university studies through access to benefits provided via the Dubai Police Esaad card. The Esaad Card Center and the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Program signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) expanding the card's capabilities for participating students.
This initiative is designed to provide practical value to students who balance university life, travel, and educational expenses both within the UAE and abroad, alongside recognition of their academic achievements.
Benefits include exclusive offers and discounts from participating companies and institutions across the commerce, tourism, entertainment, healthcare, and education sectors, valid both inside and internationally. The agreement was signed during the orientation day for the third cohort of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Program.
The agreement was signed by Colonel Salah Al Marzouki, Director of the Esaad Card Center, and Dr. Amna Al Maazmi, Chief Growth and Human Development Officer at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Aisha Miran, CEO of KHDA and Chair of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Program Steering Committee, was present.
Both parties noted that this partnership reflects the commitment of the UAE and Dubai governments to putting people at the center of development and recognizing the contribution of high-achieving Emirati students. Furthermore, the initiative supports the goals of the Education 33 (E33) Strategy, which places academic excellence and recognition at the core of the student experience.
For scholarship recipients, this recognition is now accompanied by tangible benefits that can accompany them throughout different stages of their education. The partnership is also intended to motivate young Emiratis to utilize the opportunities available to them and ultimately channel their skills and knowledge back into the community and country they return to.
The Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Program is part of Dubai Social Agenda 33 and annually selects 100 high-achieving Emirati students from public and private schools with various curricula. Students receive support for studying at leading universities in the UAE and abroad, with scholarships focusing on disciplines related to labor market needs and national development priorities.
A total budget of 1.1 billion dirhams has been allocated to this program in the coming years with the broader goal of strengthening Emirati participation in the economy and building the UAE's talent pool. The new partnership complements the support available to students from the start of their higher education.
For young Emiratis attending universities locally or abroad, access to discounts in everyday sectors—from healthcare and education to tourism and entertainment—can provide practical assistance alongside the scholarship itself. The Esaad Card, launched by Dubai Police in March 2018, is a loyalty program offering holders discounts and bonuses across various sectors.
