New York University Abu Dhabi Welcomes 24 Talented Undergraduate Students to the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program

Abu Dhabi, UAE, September 27, 2016:  New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) welcomes 24 talented undergraduate students to the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program’s (SMSP) ninth edition this year (2016-2017). Designed for academically high-achieving undergraduate students in the junior and senior years of their bachelor’s degrees, the program aims to prepare students for success and distinction in graduate and professional study.

Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, co-chair of the SMSP steering committee, said: “For eight years, SMSP at NYUAD has provided Scholars with academic, cross cultural and leadership experiences that prepare them for success in their graduate level studies and professional careers.  I welcome the ninth cohort of select students as they embark on this enriching and transformative journey."

The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program, which was established in 2008 by NYUAD in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Education Council, trains Scholars in critical thinking, writing, public speaking, and leadership. The program is offered to competitively selected students from the UAE’s federal universities: Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE University, and Zayed University.
Driven toward offering cross-cultural experiences, the program includes travel to New York and Washington, D.C., and visits to significant historical and cultural attractions as well as meetings with international leaders at key governmental locations. Past graduates of the eight-month program have gone on to success in academia, business, government, and other prestigious fields.

Each Scholars class brings together extremely talented and intelligent students. “We believe we have successfully been able to provide our Scholars with the necessary ingredients for their self-development on both personal and professional levels,” said Diane Yu, executive director of SMSP and Counselor to Leadership at NYUAD. Moreover, “We have organized several professional development activities for our alumni to further extend our support to them to help them excel in their professional careers.” 

The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program includes:

• One of two academic classes: a course taught by former NYU President John Sexton, or a class taught by renowned foreign policy expert James Traub.
• A class in leadership taught by SMSP Executive Director Diane Yu, in which Scholars examine theories of leadership, develop their own leadership self-awareness, and meet with thought leaders in politics, economics, the arts, and philanthropy.
• A class in public speaking and one in critical thinking and persuasive writing.
• The U.S. trip, aimed at strengthening cross-cultural understanding.
• Full scholarships to any Scholar who is admitted to an NYU graduate or professional program.

Eligible applicants undergo a rigorous selection and interview process based on academic achievements, leadership potential, and aspiration for self-development.

This program is one of two significant community outreach programs operated by NYU Abu Dhabi. The other is the Summer Academy for recipients of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarships for Outstanding High School Students. Participants are Abu Dhabi high school students entering their 11th year, who hope to attend top-tier English-language universities.

The 2016-2017 Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed University Scholars are:

• Abdulla Abdulrahman Ahmed Alseri Alhashmi
• Abdulla Hussain Amoodi
• Abdulla Saleh Abdulla Mohamed Buali
• Ahmed Benkraounda
• Alya Mohamed Obaid Saeed Aljarwan
• Asma Abdulaziz Moammed Alhaj Mohammed Janahi
• Aysha Hassan Ali Alhamadi
• Budoor Hussain Jasem Mohamed Al Ali
• Fatima Mohamed Abdulla Mohamed Almheiri
• Latifa Saeed Khalfan Almutawa Aldhaheri
• Maitha Saif Ahmed Mohamed Alfahim
• Mariam Abdulla Ahmed Hasan Al Marzooqi
• Mohamed Salim Mohamed Binsaif Al-Ali
• Mohammad Yaser Faheem
• Nada Ali Bir Murad Shambeh
• Nouf Said Khalaf Al Riyami
• Nour Barak Omar Salem Alkindi
• Rowdha Mohamed Sultan Rashed Aldhaheri
• Salha Majed Mohamed Hasan Alsuwaidi
• Sara Osama Mahmoud Ebrahim Almahmoud
• Shamma Saeed Ali Binlahij Alketbi
• Shayma Ibrahim Abdulrahman Alhamadi
• Shouq Essa Jan Ali Bin Ali Redha
• Youssef El Kassem