Most important to be sincere and highlight your strengths

Hvatasjóður educational fund is a cooperation between Reykjavik University and Landsbankinn in Iceland. The aim is to secure equal access for high school graduates with a first language other than Icelandic to study at the undergraduate level at Reykjavik University. The scholarship covers tuition fees for the first academic year and is funded by Landsbankinn.

In 2025, the scholarship recipients were Dana Zaher El Deen K. Al Hennaw, a BA student in Law, and Diana Al Barouki, a BSc student in Computer Science. They were recently invited to visit Landsbankinn, where they were welcomed by Klara Steinarsdóttir. Representatives from Reykjavík University also joined the visit, giving the students insight into the bank’s operations and a tour of its new headquarters.

Both Dana and Diana encourage other students to apply for the scholarship, emphasising that it offers more than just financial support.

My advice to students who want to apply is to be sincere and clearly present their goals. It’s important to highlight your strengths and explain how the scholarship will support your studies. I would also recommend taking your time with the application and preparing it carefully.
says Dana.

Diana adds that the most important thing is simply to take the chance and believe in yourself. Dana and Diana, who are originally from Syria, graduated in May from Fjölbrautaskólinn við Ármúla with outstanding results. Diana was named runner-up dux of the school with an average grade of 9.38 and received recognition for excellence in Icelandic, Spanish, and social sciences. Dana graduated with an average grade of 9.18 and was recognised for her achievements in Icelandic, Spanish, and the arts.

Confidence and the ability to face challenges are key to success, along with patience, consistent effort, and genuine interest. It’s important to keep going despite difficulties and to maintain a healthy balance between studies and everyday life. I also think it’s important to make studying a positive part of life, not just a source of pressure.

Says Diana, Dana agrees and emphasises the importance of discipline and organisation.

Above all, self-discipline and good planning lead to strong academic results. It also matters to have a real interest in the subject matter and to strive to truly understand it.

She adds.

Applications for the Hvatasjóður fund are now open, with a deadline of June 5