NYU Abu Dhabi names scholarship winners

Abu Dhabi, July 16, 2011

NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has announced the 24 inaugural recipients of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarship for outstanding high school students.

The high-achieving Abu Dhabi-based Emirati high school students are participating in the newly launched NYUAD Summer Academy, a two-year summer programme designed to prepare young students for entry into top-tier international universities.

The Summer Academy introduces students to the principles of a liberal arts education in the summers following their 10th and 11th grades through a rigorous educational experience set across three of NYU’s international locations: Abu Dhabi, New York and Florence.

The curriculum includes courses that emphasize critical thinking, writing and discussion in English, quantitative reasoning for the sciences, standardized test preparation, leadership development, and college admissions counseling.

“This scholarship program helps to ensure that our very best high school students continue their journey of academic excellence as they enter university life,” said Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, co-chair of NYUAD’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Programme.

“The NYUAD Summer Academy not only provides our students with the intellectual resources and skill development they require for future success, but also offers them a character-building life experience.”

The programme is designed to help high-achieving students further succeed in challenging higher education programs by providing early exposure to the academic standards, norms, ethics, and values appropriate to the culture of leading international universities.

Courses are taught by faculty appointed by NYUAD, and provide intense immersion into an English-language academic environment. Ongoing coaching for standardized testing and mentorship throughout the college application process are also integral components of the program.

Diane C Yu, co-executive director of the Summer Academy and the chief of staff and deputy to NYU President John Sexton, said: “We are extremely pleased with the exceptional caliber of our inaugural class.”

“We are confident that the NYUAD Summer Academy will provide a significant vehicle for the academic and personal growth of these students, helping them develop strong foundations for admission into top universities around the world, including NYU Abu Dhabi,’ she added. – TradeArabia News Service

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