Qatari national scholarships: University selectivity and student outcomes

Abstract

The scholarship program in Qatar provides aid for students wishing to enroll in “top-ranked” universities around the world by supplying them with tuition, fees, board, and travel. The selectivity (high or low ranking, as determined by international ranking agencies) of the universities implies specific outcomes in terms of graduation and time of study at the university. In this study we attempt to understand how selectivity is related to education functional outcomes. Based on Qatari students enrollment in higher education programs around the world, students were bifurcated into high ranking or low ranking universities and whether they graduated or terminated in relation to specific functional outcome as in achievement (e.g. grade point average) and time of study in a program. A Kruskal-Wallis analysis was conducted using the selectivity of university as an independent variable and graduation status (whether they were terminated or graduated) on student university achievement and time of study. The findin...