Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program

The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program (SMSP), named in honor of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is a unique educational, mentoring, and leadership experience for outstanding college students chosen from the three national universities in the UAE via a competitive nomination and selection process.  It was founded in spring of 2008 in conjunction with Her Highness Shaikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, and the Abu Dhabi Education Council.  

Courses

In 2010-11, two distinct academic courses will be offered, taught simultaneously, with half the group enrolled in each one. The first is the seminar taught by President Sexton on the relationship between religion and politics through the lens of U.S. Supreme Court decisions. The second course, covering American foreign policy and the U.S. presidential political process, will be taught by journalist and author James Traub and noted political strategist and NYU faculty member Robert Shrum, respectively. The classes will be taught at the Downtown Campus of NYU Abu Dhabi, located behind the ADIA Building and across Al Nasser Street from the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, in the heart of the city.  

Both cohorts of Scholars will also take a course in public speaking and public presentation, an English enrichment and writing course emphasizing critical thinking and persuasive writing, as well as a leadership development course that includes meetings with noteworthy leaders and distinguished individuals at the top of their fields and professions in the UAE, the U.S., and elsewhere who will share their lessons on leadership with the Scholars.  Some of the invited speakers may be outstanding alumni from the three national UAE universities. 

Graduate and Professional School Admissions Advisement

Scholars will receive both general and specific advice and counseling on the graduate and professional school admissions process and, if admitted through the regular admissions process of NYU, Scholars will be eligible to receive full scholarships for graduate or professional study at NYU in New York.  Whether or not a Scholar decides to apply to an NYU graduate school, this counseling will provide valuable insights into how to maximize chances of successful graduate admissions.  For Scholars who have decided on a particular program of graduate or professional study, tutoring is available to help prepare them for specific entrance examinations.

Academic Enrichment Events Sponsored by the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

Scholars will be invited to attend seminars, lectures, and special programs sponsored by the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute to enhance and enrich their educational experience. Attendance at these events and programs is highly desirable, but optional.  For some events, special introductions with invited speakers will be arranged. 

Trip to the United States

During the month of January 2011, Scholars will embark upon a 9-10 day trip to the United States, specifically the cities of New York and Washington D.C.  The trip will include sessions of each of the academic courses, the English enrichment, public speaking, and leadership classes, and other sessions and activities as arranged.  Opportunities being planned will include meetings with NYU students and university leaders, visits to historical sites, museums, and other places of interest and significance, and engagement with various leaders in various fields. Scholars and their families will be provided with a detailed itinerary which lists destinations, venues, and activities during the fall 2010.

 Scholars will travel round-trip to the U.S. via coach class and will be accompanied from the UAE to the U.S. by chaperones from the three participating universities.  While in the U.S., they will be accompanied on all activities by the school chaperones and the Executive Director and Deputy Director of the Program.  

Academic Credit

NYUAD will issue transcripts to Scholars with grades and recommended academic credit for the following courses in the Program in accordance with school policies of the participating universities:  the Sexton or Traub/Shrum class, the English Enrichment course, and the Leadership Development course.  

Program Leadership

The Program is headed by Executive Director Diane C. Yu, J.D., who serves as Chief of Staff and Deputy to President Sexton at NYU New York; Program Co-Chair Her Highness Shaikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Program Co-Chair Dr. Mariet Westermann, formerly Provost of NYU Abu Dhabi.  Ms. Tamu Al-Islam, Associate Director of NYU Abu Dhabi Human Resources in the UAE, serves as the Program Deputy Director. 

Role of Participating Universities

The SMSP will engage in regular communications with the schools to keep them apprised of developments and any changes to the schedule or activities.  Each of the three participating national universities has officially designated a Coordinator for the SMSP whose role is as follows:

• to help facilitate the nomination process;
•  to provide advice and counsel to the Scholars during their participation in the program;
• to serve as a liaison between the Scholars and Program leaders, communicating about Scholars’ needs and circumstances, and helping to resolve issues which may arise;
• to ensure that Scholars receive appropriate credit for Program course content;  and
• to advise Program leaders about relevant curriculum content, academic schedules, policies, and cultural particularities at the Scholars’ home institutions.