Academic says student commitment key to scholarship success

Dr. Badr Al-Budairi, professor of mechanical engineering at Taibah University, has outlined the reasons why some Saudi scholarship students return from abroad without obtaining their academic qualifications.

Speaking to Al-Ikhbariya Radio, he said that, in his view, the main factors are academic and language challenges, followed by psychological, social, and general living issues. He stressed the importance of addressing each cause, noting that students struggling with language should identify specific academic topics—such as lectures, writing, discussions, or self-expression—and then develop a plan to improve in those areas.

He added that some students mistakenly view language skills as a luxury during their studies abroad, when in fact they should take language learning seriously. He advised students to be fully committed before embarking on their scholarship journey, suggesting that each student should have a clear roadmap for support.