86 Emirati Students Join Prestigious NYUAD Summer Academy

Eighty-six outstanding secondary school students from across the UAE have been chosen to participate in the highly regarded NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Summer Academy. This selection is part of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarship for Outstanding High School Students, Class of 2026. The program, now in its 15th year, provides a unique and rigorous 18-month educational journey designed to prepare Emirati students for higher education at the world’s leading universities.

A Prestigious Opportunity for Young Emirati Minds

The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarship is recognized as one of the most prestigious programs available to secondary school students in the UAE. It honors students not only for their academic excellence but also for their leadership qualities and potential to make a difference. By awarding this scholarship, the UAE continues its tradition of investing in its youth, preparing them to become influential leaders on both a national and global level.

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Through this scholarship, students gain more than just academic knowledge. They develop confidence, leadership skills, and a global perspective that equips them to thrive in any environment. Alumni of previous classes have gone on to study at world-class institutions including Yale, Princeton, NYU New York, NYU Abu Dhabi, the London School of Economics, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, King’s College London, and many others.

Words from Her Highness Sheikha Mariam

Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed her pride in the program, saying:

"The Summer Academy represents a meaningful investment in our youth and in the future of our nation. It offers a space where students are empowered to think critically, build confidence, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Each new cohort brings with it renewed potential and ambition, and I look forward to witnessing how these remarkable young minds will go on to shape the future both here in the UAE and beyond."

Her words highlight the importance of nurturing young talent and creating opportunities for them to grow academically and personally. The program is designed to provide such an environment, where students can flourish and discover their potential.

Structure and Duration of the Summer Academy

The NYUAD Summer Academy is an 18-month program that begins after Grade 10 or Year 11. It includes two intensive summer sessions at NYU Abu Dhabi combined with academic-year enrichment activities. Each summer session lasts five weeks, during which students attend rigorous courses that sharpen their critical thinking and encourage intellectual curiosity.

Alongside classroom learning, students participate in co-curricular activities that enhance leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. These activities are designed to complement academic growth, helping students become well-rounded individuals ready to take on global challenges.

Academic and Personal Support

Students in the program receive continuous guidance and support from faculty and staff. Evening sessions allow students to engage in deeper discussions, strengthen their learning, and build a strong sense of community among peers. During the academic year, students attend online classes and refresher weekends to reinforce key skills and ensure they remain on track with their studies.

In the final year, Grade 12 or Year 13 students are supported through the college application process. This includes guidance on researching universities, preparing essays, and submitting applications to top institutions around the world. The structured approach ensures that each student has the tools and support needed to successfully transition to higher education.

Graduation and Recognition

The program concludes with a formal graduation ceremony, where students are celebrated for their achievements and receive certificates of completion. This ceremony not only honors their hard work and dedication but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in their academic and personal journeys.

Program Benefits

The Summer Academy offers more than just preparation for university. It is a transformative experience that encourages students to grow as thinkers, communicators, and leaders. Each year, the program opens doors and broadens the horizons of some of the UAE’s most promising young minds. Students leave the academy with enhanced skills, increased confidence, and a broader understanding of the world.

Fatma Abdulla, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost for Strategy and Planning at NYUAD, emphasized:

"The Summer Academy is more than a pathway to university; it’s a transformative experience that challenges students to grow as thinkers, communicators, and leaders. Each year, we witness how this intensive program opens doors and broadens horizons for some of the UAE’s most promising young minds. We’re proud to welcome the Class of 2026 into this dynamic community of scholars."

Meet the Class of 2026

The recipients of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarship for the Class of 2026 include students from across the UAE who have demonstrated excellence in academics and leadership. Some of the students selected are:

• Abdulla Adeeb Abdulqader Abdulla Alajeel

• Adam Ihsan Husein Haji Almarzooqi

• Ahmed Khaled Ahmed Shaiban Almheiri

• Aisha Ali Ahmed Hamel Alqubaisi

• Ali Khaled Ahmed Salem Alharbi

• Alya Wassim Kabbani

• Dana Fadi Hasaan Helbaoui

• Fahad Abdulaziz Mohammad Saleh Alzarouni

• Fatema Metaab Abdulazez Mohamed Alkarbi

• Hajar Joudaane

• Hamad Khaled Mohamed Shareef Alawadhi

• Haya Amer Abdulla Mohammad Abdulla

• Khalifa Omar Ahmad Bin Tooq Almarri

• Mariam Musallam Mohamed Saeed Alrashdi

• Meera Hamad Theyab Saif Almeqbaali

• Mohamed Khaled Mohamed Sultan AlMarzooqi

• Saeed Rashed Saeed Mohamed Alyammahi

• Sultan Ahmed Mohammed Rada Almheiri

(The full list includes 86 students from different Emirates.)

A Pathway to Global Education

Through this program, these students will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. The Summer Academy ensures that students are not only academically prepared but also culturally and socially ready to take on the challenges of higher education abroad.

By combining rigorous academic training, co-curricular activities, and personalized guidance, the NYUAD Summer Academy helps build the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators from the UAE.

The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarship for Outstanding High School Students represents an extraordinary opportunity for talented Emirati youth. Through the NYUAD Summer Academy, students are empowered to explore their potential, expand their horizons, and prepare for a bright future. The Class of 2026 is poised to continue the legacy of excellence established by previous cohorts, making their mark both in the UAE and around the world.

This program stands as a testament to the UAE’s commitment to investing in its youth, fostering leadership, and nurturing the ambitions of the nation’s brightest young minds.