The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed University Scholars Program

1
The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed University Scholars
Program

• Recruiting the Class of 2009-2010
• March 16-18, 2009
• Diane C. Yu
• Executive Director

2
The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed University Scholars
Program Nature and Purpose

• A partnership between the government of Abu Dhabi
  and New York University (NYU).
• Developed in consultation with the Abu Dhabi
  Education Council, the 3 participating national
  universities, and NYU Abu Dhabi.
• Open exclusively to top 3rd and 4th year
  bachelors students at UAEU, Zayed University,
  and Higher Colleges of Technology.

3
The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed University Scholars
Program SMUSP Goals

• To offer an unparalleled and rigorous
  educational, cross-cultural, and leadership
  development experience to outstanding U.A.E.
  university students.

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The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed University Scholars
Program SMUSP Goals

• To provide these students with access to NYUs
  global research, educational, and leadership
  network to foster greater awareness of
  international issues and challenges, and to
  develop in these students the capacity to shape
  the future as leaders in the region.

5
The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed University Scholars
Program SMUSP Goals

• To prepare exceptional candidates demonstrating
  the highest merit and motivation for graduate and
  professional study at institutions of their
  choice and provide scholarships to those admitted
  to NYU graduate and professional schools.

6
The Scholars Class of 2008-2009 Details of
Programs

• A seminar on religion and government personally
  taught by NYU President John Sexton, one of
  Americas leading experts on religion and the
  law, which

• Provides a unique and demanding intellectual
  experience that develops critical thinking,
  encourages robust debate, and promotes analytic,
  evidence-based writing.
• Offers insights into Western legal thought and
  approach to dispute resolution in a democracy.
• Involves careful, intense reading and analysis.

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The Scholars Class of 2008-2009 Details of
Programs (contd)

• English enrichment which emphasizes
• Leadership course that focuses on

• Public speaking and public presentations.
• Strengthening and expanding writing skills.

• Basic leadership theories.
• Leadership principles, behavior, and traits.
• Self-assessment tools.
• Private sessions with leaders in the U.A.E.

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The Scholars Class of 2008-2009 Details of
Programs (contd)

• Trip to New York and Washington, D.C. in January,
  2009, featuring

• Visits to major cultural sites and museums
• The Inauguration of President Barack Obama
• Sessions with Supreme Court Justices Stephen
  Breyer and Sandra Day OConnor and attendance at
  oral arguments in the Supreme Court
• Briefing with Senator Lamar Alexander
• Meeting with NYU students, faculty and deans
• Private, informal meetings with distinguished
  individuals.

9
The Scholars Class of 2008-2009 Details of
Programs (contd)

• Plus
• Counseling sessions on admissions to graduate and
  professional schools.
• Invitations to public lectures, film series, and
  events sponsored by the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute.
• Private meetings with visiting speakers and
  scholars arranged through the NYU Abu Dhabi
  Institute.
• Full scholarships if admitted to NYU graduate or
  professional schools.
• Comments from current Scholars

10
The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 Activities

• Two choices of primary academic course
• The relationship between religion and politics
  (again taught by President Sexton), OR
• American political power (by political strategist
  Robert Shrum) and American foreign policy (by
  author James Traub).
• English Enrichment course (coordinated with the
  academic course).
• Leadership Development course and ongoing
  meetings with local leaders.

11
The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 Activities
(contd)

• January Trip to the U.S., including tours of the
  United Nations, Congress, the White House,
  Supreme Court, Cabinet offices, and meetings with
  notable leaders and with members of the NYU
  community.
• Invitation to NYU Abu Dhabi Institute events.
• Advising on graduate and professional school
  admissions.
• Full scholarships if admitted to NYU graduate and
  professional schools.
• Other special events as they may arise.

12
The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 Nomination
Process

• Participating universities may nominate 20
  students who will be in their 3rd or 4th years of
  a bachelors program.
• Schools must attest to candidates superior
  English language ability, both oral and written.
• Note Schools must ensure that nominees would be
  available for May 27-28, 2009 Selection Day
  event, if identified as finalists.

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The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 Nomination
Process (contd)

• Nomination dossiers must contain
• a certified academic transcript
• resume and narrative biography
• nominees personal statement of interest
• description of a major creative or noteworthy
  achievement and
• two faculty recommendation letters.

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The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 Nomination
Process (contd)

• Selection Days will consist of a rigorous,
  intensive, and extensive evaluation of the
  finalist candidates.
• Judges will conduct solo and paired interviews,
  observe group exercises, review written work
  prepared at the site, and interact with the
  finalists over the two days.
• Finalists will be awarded certificates at a
  closing ceremony at the end of the second day.

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The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 Nomination
Process (contd)

• Deadline for submission of nominations
  Thursday, April 30, 2009.
• Notification of selection of Finalists who will
  be invited to participate in Selection Days
  interviews On or before May 15, 2009.
• Selection Days in Abu Dhabi Wednesday-Thursday,
  May 27-28, 2009.
• Anticipated announcement of Class of 2009-2010
  On or before June 15, 2009.

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The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 Selection
Criteria

• Intelligence and record of excellence
• Outstanding English language proficiency (oral
  and written)
• Leadership ability
• Creativity and spirit of enterprise and adventure
• Motivation and interest
• Interpersonal skills and potential to contribute
  to the class dynamic in a positive way
• High energy and enthusiasm for a novel global
  learning experience
• Flexibility and resourcefulness
• Integrity and good moral character

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The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 Questions?

• Talk to this years class of Scholars about their
  experiences and advice.
• Talk to your dean or school coordinator if you
  are interested in being nominated.
• Work with the school to get your nomination
  materials together before the April 30th
  deadline.
• For more info, go to
• http//nyuad.nyu.edu/sheikh.mohamed.scholars/
• Good luck!

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The Scholars Class of 2009-2010 School
Coordinators Contact Information

• UAEU Najlaa Mohamed Alraway and Muna Al Hammadi
• najlaa_at_uaeu.ac.ae
• muna-alhammadi_at_uaeu.ac.ae
• Zayed University Shamsa Al Taie and Lisa
  Isaacson
• Shamsa.AlTaie_at_zu.ac.ae
• Lisa.isaacson_at_zu.ac.ae
• HCT Josephine Farrell and Catherine Mayerlen
• jfarrell_at_hct.ac.ae
• cmayerlen_at_hct.ac.ae