Abu dhabi: NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has announced the 2025-26 class of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Programme (SMSP), an initiative designed to prepare some of the UAE’s promising university students for academic and professional success.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme offers advanced coursework, leadership training, graduate school counseling, and access to an international network of faculty and peers. Established in 2008, SMSP draws students 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 were chosen from a competitive pool of 154 applicants by a panel of NYUAD faculty and community leaders.
H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Co-chair of the Scholars Programme Steering Committee, emphasized the programme’s role in empowering students across the UAE to pursue their aspirations. Fatma Abdulla, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Vice Provost at NYUAD, highlighted the cohort’s embodiment of academic excellence and leadership potential.
The curriculum, taught by NYUAD faculty, includes courses such as Ideas of the Sacred, The Road to Net Zero: Global Debates and Challenges, and Critical Thinking and Persuasive Writing. Students engage with NYUAD’s research centres, gaining exposure to research in sustainability, technology, and public policy.
The SMSP curriculum aligns with the UAE’s strategic priorities, preparing students for global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development. Since its inception, SMSP has supported 372 students, with alumni pursuing impactful careers in various sectors.
The SMSP is part of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Community Programs administered by NYUAD, alongside the NYUAD Summer Academy, a college preparatory programme for Emirati high school students.
The 2025-26 Class of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars includes: Abdulla Salem Mohammed Masoud Alshamsi, Fatema Alhay Ali Mohamed Almazrouei, Firaol Tesfaye Hailu, and others, representing a diverse group of talented individuals ready to contribute to society.