Abu Dhabi, April 18 (IANS/WAM) At least 1,700 meritorious students of grade 12 in Abu Dhabi will participate in a scholarship programme aimed at helping engineering aspirants pursue training in advanced technology.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) in collaboration with the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) Saturday organised the first orientation session of 12th graders who have obtained at least 80 percent marks in their fist semester exams.

The scholarship programme, Al Nokhba, will help the best G12 students to continue their higher education and obtain a bachelor degree in engineering, and also to assist university students seeking to pursue their master degree in engineering.

Selected scholars will get the opportunity to undergo an internship programme with one of ATIC's facilities in Dresden Germany, or Singapore, or US. After the internship, the students will be eligible for employment with ATIC, or any of its affiliated firms.

"The scholarship comes in line with the goals of ADEC's 10-year strategic plan aiming at developing a knowledge-based economy and improving student skills to meet the needs of a global labour market," said Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director General of ADEC.