ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

Eighty-six high-achieving secondary school students have been selected to participate in the rigorous 18-month NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Summer Academy enrichment programme as recipients of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarship for Outstanding High School Students, Class of 2026.

Now in its 15th year, the programme offers a transformative academic and cultural experience that prepares Emirati students in the UAE for admission to, and success at, top global universities. The scholarship is one of the most prestigious opportunities available to Emirati secondary school students, recognising both academic excellence and leadership potential.

Graduates emerge with the skills, confidence, and perspective to succeed on the world stage. Alumni have gone on to study at 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 more.

Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “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”.

The programme begins in the summer after Grade 10 or Year 11 and runs for 18 months, combining two intensive summer sessions in Abu Dhabi with academic-year enrichment. Each summer, students spend five weeks at NYU Abu Dhabi engaged in rigorous coursework that sharpens critical thinking and encourages intellectual curiosity. Co-curricular activities complement classroom learning and help build leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

Faculty and staff provide continuous academic and personal support, including evening sessions that deepen discussions and strengthen community. During Grade 11 or Year 12, students take part in online classes and refresher weekends to reinforce key skills. In Grade 12 or Year 13, the program guides students through the college application process, from researching universities to finalising essays and submitting applications.

The programme concludes with a graduation ceremony where students and their families celebrate their achievements and receive official certificates of completion.

“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,” said Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost for Strategy and Planning at NYUAD Fatma Abdulla.