NYU Abu Dhabi welcomes 24 exceptional students to the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program

The prestigious initiative, now in its nineteenth year, brings together high-achieving university students from across the UAE for a transformative year of academic advancement, leadership cultivation and intellectual exploration designed to cultivate the nation's most promising emerging leaders.

NYU Abu Dhabi has announced the arrival of 24 outstanding university students selected for the 2026–27 class of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program, a distinguished initiative that has established itself as a cornerstone of leadership development across the United Arab Emirates.

The programme draws scholars from the UAE’s premier federal universities: the United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University, and the Higher Colleges of Technology. Through a carefully curated blend of advanced coursework, mentorship from distinguished faculty, graduate school guidance, and immersion within NYUAD’s vibrant academic and research ecosystem, scholars engage with exceptional peers whilst exploring ideas across multiple disciplines and connecting their learning to the transformative issues shaping contemporary society.

A platform for excellence and aspiration

Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Co-chair of the Scholars Program Steering Committee, emphasised the programme’s significance: “The scholars programme is a unique platform that empowers exceptional students across the UAE to pursue their academic and professional aspirations whilst developing the creativity, curiosity, and leadership skills needed to make a meaningful contribution to society. We are proud to welcome this new cohort and look forward to seeing how they grow through this experience.”

The 24 scholars were selected through a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a distinguished panel comprising NYUAD faculty and distinguished community leaders, each candidate demonstrating exceptional academic capability and considerable leadership potential.

Interdisciplinary learning and transformative experiences

The 2026–27 curriculum draws upon expertise spanning the entire university, exposing scholars to domains encompassing sustainability, technology, public policy, the humanities, and the sciences. The programme extends beyond traditional classroom instruction, incorporating leadership workshops, experiential learning opportunities, and graduate school counselling that cultivate communication, critical thinking and leadership acumen whilst enabling students to contemplate how these capabilities may be applied beyond academic settings.

Fatma Abdulla, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost for Strategy and Planning, observed: “We are pleased to welcome another outstanding cohort to the scholars programme. These students have already demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential, and we look forward to supporting them as they challenge themselves, discover new perspectives, and build the foundations for their future academic and professional journeys.”

A legacy of distinguished achievement

Since its establishment, the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program has supported 396 students, many of whom have progressed to distinguished careers across academia, government and industry. To date, 184 alumni have pursued graduate studies worldwide, including 69 across NYU’s global campuses and 27 in doctoral programmes, testament to the initiative’s enduring contribution to cultivating the UAE’s next generation of leaders.

Aysha Aljaberi, Assistant Vice Provost for Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Community Programs and PhD Pathways, highlighted the programme’s evolving significance: “The programme has evolved significantly over the years, continually adapting to the changing world and to the needs and aspirations of its students. Its impact comes from combining rigorous academic learning with experiences that allow scholars to see leadership and global challenges from different perspectives. Meeting Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other UAE leaders gives our students a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about leadership, national priorities, and the challenges facing the UAE and the wider world.”

The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program represents one of two distinguished community initiatives administered by NYUAD, complemented by the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Summer Academy, a competitive college preparatory programme for Emirati secondary school students preparing to enter their eleventh year of study.

Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office