Education News Highlights: June 23 — June 29

The most relevant news of the past week — in the weekly digest by ED-EX.com.

New Record for Gilman Scholars at the University of Texas

Thirty-two students from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) have received the prestigious Gilman Scholarship this year — a true record for the university. The grant provides $5,000 per semester to cover expenses related to studying, interning, or volunteering abroad.

UTSA administration shared the news on social media:

“UTSA students just set another record! This year, 32 Roadrunners received the Gilman Scholarship to study abroad, more than any other year in UTSA history.”

Note: “Roadrunners” is the nickname for UTSA students.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a U.S. federal program that awards scholarships for study, internships, or volunteer work abroad to selected undergraduate students. Those studying “critical need languages” — such as Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic — may receive up to an additional $3,000.

10 UTK Students and Alumni Awarded Fulbright Grants

Ten students and alumni of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) have been awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Grants to pursue graduate studies, conduct research, or teach abroad during the 2025–26 academic year. The announcement was published on June 26 on the official UTK News website.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange initiative, established in 1946. Each year, it awards approximately 8,000 scholarships to undergraduate alumni, graduate students, and early-career professionals from the United States and over 160 countries. Among its alumni are recipients of prestigious honors such as the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes, as well as former heads of state and government.

UTK is one of the universities that actively supports student applications to the Fulbright Program.

Hamilton International School Launches Scholarships for the 2025–2026 Academic Year

Hamilton International School — a British curriculum school in Doha, Qatar — has announced the launch of its ISP Scholarships program for the 2025–2026 academic year. Up to 100 scholarships will be awarded as part of the initiative, which aims to foster academic achievement, international-mindedness, and leadership skills among high school students.

The scholarships are available to students entering Grades 9 and 11 who are enrolled in schools that are part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) network in Qatar and the UAE.

The program includes three main categories:

• Academic Excellence Scholarship — for academically gifted students (Grade 9)
• International Learner Scholarship — for students who demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and a strong interest in other cultures, as well as accomplishments in sports or the arts (Grades 9 and 11)
• Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship — for aspiring leaders who show initiative and social engagement (Grade 11)

Each scholarship covers between 50% and 75% of tuition fees and is awarded for a two-year period. In addition to financial support, recipients will gain access to mentoring, international programs, and leadership development opportunities.

Open Day in Dubai: University of Wollongong Invites Prospective Students

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) is inviting prospective students to attend its Open Day on July 12, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Dubai Knowledge Park campus. Visitors will have the opportunity to speak directly with admissions staff, learn about academic programs, and get answers to questions about the application process, including scholarship and financial aid options.

The fall semester begins on September 22, 2025, and applications are already open.

UOWD has also announced its scholarship offerings for the upcoming academic year, with two main types of scholarships available:

• Academic Merit Scholarships — for undergraduate and postgraduate students, available to both new applicants and current students.
• Sports Scholarships (including the Adam Gilchrist Sports Award) — for student athletes.

Application Deadlines (for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants from various educational systems):

• Indian curriculum (CBSE, ISC, etc.) — until June 15, 2025
• American system, IB, and UAE’s MOE curriculum — until July 15, 2025
• British system (A-levels) — until August 15, 2025
• Sports scholarships — also until July 15, 2025

Applications should be submitted through the official UOWD application form on the university’s website.

About the University: UOWD is the first international Australian university in the UAE, established in 1993. Its academic programs are internationally accredited. Today, the university is home to over 3,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Scholarships for Future Medical Professionals: Applications Now Open for 2026

The Global Access to Medicine Scholarship program has opened applications for the 2026 academic year. The scholarship is aimed at international students planning to pursue studies in medicine and related fields (biomedicine, public health, pharmacology, etc.) at accredited universities in Slovakia.

The total award fund is $10,000, which may be distributed among multiple recipients.

Applications are open from June 24 to December 30, 2025. Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency and submit a motivation letter, academic records, and proof of admission or enrollment. Finalists will be announced in January 2026, with final results released in March.

The scholarship is implemented in partnership with the Study in Slovakia platform and is designed to expand access to medical education in Europe for students from around the world.

Gilman Again — And Another Record: 11 New York Students Win Scholarships for Study Abroad

Eleven students from Fordham University in New York have been awarded the 2025 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which covers expenses for study-abroad and internship programs. This year’s recipients will travel to the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Singapore. Each student will receive up to $5,000 for their educational experience abroad.

This marks the second consecutive year that 11 Fordham students have received the scholarship — a record for the university.

“This is especially exciting, because it not only shows how excellent our students are, but is also one indicator of the many ways that we support all of our students to take advantage of the most high-impact opportunities,” said Lorna Ronald, Director of the Office of Fellowship Advising.

“Study abroad is transformative. As students engage in new cultures, they learn more about themselves and start to see themselves as the leaders that our world needs.”

Fiji Schools Gain Full Control Over Spending

The government of Fiji has announced the removal of strict spending limits previously imposed on educational grants. Under the old rules, schools were allowed to allocate no more than 20% of their funding to construction and campus maintenance, 15% to IT equipment, and 30% to administrative and office expenses.

Now, schools will have full autonomy to decide how to use their allocated funds. Whether it's classroom cleaning, purchasing new equipment, or building a new sports field — spending decisions will be made at the school level.

School boards will also be permitted to save funds or take out loans for major projects. Previously, schools could only organize fundraising events once a year. This restriction has been lifted — fundraising will now be open, flexible, and remain voluntary.

The program has a total budget of $65 million and will benefit more than 225,000 students.

Additional funding highlights:

• $500,000 will go toward leadership development through the School Heads Association.
• $300,000 each will be allocated to the Principals’ and Headteachers’ Associations.
• Public sector teachers will receive a 3% salary increase as part of the initiative.

A total of $847 million has been earmarked for the education sector, including $153 million in scholarships for 24,653 students. The Ministry of Education will receive $675 million, with $86.5 million allocated specifically to higher education.

Slow Food Negroni Week Fund Offers Scholarships for Hospitality Professionals

The Slow Food Negroni Week Fund has opened applications for its 2025 scholarship program, aimed at supporting emerging talent in the hospitality and food industries. The scholarships are funded through the global Negroni Week initiative — an annual fundraising campaign held in bars and restaurants worldwide.

The program offers not only financial support but also access to exclusive learning opportunities, major industry events, and a vibrant global Slow Food community. Key events include the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans (July 20–25, 2025) and the Terra Madre Americas forum in Sacramento (September 26–28, 2025).

Scholars will gain access to educational workshops, professional mentoring, and leadership development programs. The initiative is led by Danny Childs — an anthropologist, ethnobotanist, and a prominent expert in the Slow Food movement.

Applications are open until May 4, 2025, and selected participants will be announced on May 30. Full details are available on the official website of Slow Food International.

UAE Emerges as an Alternative Hub for International Students

In response to tightening visa policies in the United States and the United Kingdom, universities in the United Arab Emirates are actively expanding their offerings to attract international students. According to Gulf News, institutions are providing full scholarships, simplified visa procedures, and options to transfer academic credits between campuses across countries.

For example, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi offers scholarships that cover up to 100% of tuition fees for high-achieving students. Gulf Medical University is hosting international webinars and open days aimed at prospective students exploring alternatives to traditional study destinations.

Academic mobility is a key focus. Heriot-Watt University Dubai enables students to study not only in Dubai but also at its campuses in Edinburgh and Kuala Lumpur. University Vice President Dame Heather McGregor noted that such opportunities “enrich students’ academic journeys and prepare them for international careers.”

In 2025, the number of international students in the UAE rose by approximately 25% compared to the previous year — a strong indicator of the region’s growing appeal in global higher education.

U.S. Proposes Federal Tax Credit of Up to $5,000 for Private School Donations

A new legislative proposal in the United States seeks to introduce a federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for donations to private school scholarship funds — a significant boost for the school choice movement.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• 1:1 Tax Credit: Donations made to organizations that provide private school scholarships would be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit.
• Limits: The maximum credit would be either $5,000 or 10% of the donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI), whichever is greater.
• Eligibility: Credits would be available to all taxpayers, not just parents — including individual donors and investors.
• Use of Funds: Scholarships could be applied toward tuition at private schools, educational materials, online courses, tutoring, testing fees, and homeschooling expenses.
• Stock Donations: Contributions made in the form of appreciated stock would be exempt from capital gains tax, making this an attractive option for high-net-worth individuals.

The program is designed to benefit families earning up to 300% of their region’s median income, helping them access scholarships for private or home-based education.

Supporters argue the measure could empower hundreds of thousands of families to choose the best education path regardless of income. Critics, however, warn it may divert funds from public schools and widen inequalities in access to quality education.