Abu Dhabi: NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has announced the 2025–26 class of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program (SMSP), a prestigious initiative aimed at nurturing the UAE’s most promising university students through academic and professional excellence.
The program offers advanced coursework, leadership training, graduate school counseling, and access to a global academic network.
Established in 2008, the Scholars Program draws its participants from the UAE’s federal universities, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Zayed University (ZU), and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT). This year, 24 students have been chosen from a competitive pool of 154 applicants by a distinguished NYUAD faculty panel and community leaders.
Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Co-chair of the Scholars Program Steering Committee, stated that, “The scholars program is a transformative platform that empowers exceptional students across the UAE to pursue their academic and professional aspirations. It is through cultivating creativity, leadership, and intellectual curiosity that we uphold our nation’s lasting commitment.”
The curriculum features courses taught by NYUAD faculty members recognized for their global expertise, including Ideas of the Sacred by Professor John Coughlin, The Road to Net Zero: Global Debates and Challenges by Professor Sophia Kalantzakos, and What Makes a Leader by Angela Migally. Other key modules include Public Speaking and Presentations and Critical Thinking and Persuasive Writing.
Students will also engage with NYUAD’s research centers and facilities, gaining exposure to innovative work in sustainability, technology, and public policy. The program aims to prepare them to address challenges such as climate change, energy transition, and ethical leadership while promoting cross-cultural understanding.
Since its inception, the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program has supported 372 students, with 170 pursuing graduate studies globally, including 68 at NYU campuses and 16 in PhD programs. Many alumni have gone on to impactful careers in academia, government, and industry, demonstrating the initiative’s success in shaping the UAE’s next generation of leaders.
The Scholars Program is part of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Community Programs administered by NYUAD, alongside the NYUAD Summer Academy, a preparatory initiative for high-achieving Emirati high school students.
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