17 students who ranked first in last academic year's higher secondary examinations has been awarded the President’s Scholarship.

The scholarships were awarded to the students in a ceremony held last night at Umar Zahir Building to commemorate the occasion.

In the ceremony, the certificates for President’s Award Scholarships were handed to the students by the incumbent President himself.

While 17 students received the President’s Award Scholarship, 138 students received the High Achiever’s scholarship.

Under President's Award Scholarships, students are able to study in any field for first degree, in any country they wish to, with all the expenses to complete the degree being covered by the government.

Similarly students that receive High Achiever’s Scholarship, are able to study in any field for first degree, with all the expenses fully covered by the government, in countries selected by the Higher Education Ministry.

In last night's ceremony, the President announced the introduction of a new scholarship, “Merit Scholarship”, later this year.