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NYU Abu Dhabi Commencement

Save the Date

 

 

NYU Abu Dhabi's 13th Commencement
will be held on

May 20, 2026.

We Are Ready
These Are Our Memories

The Class of 2026 looks back and shares memories from their time at NYU Abu Dhabi.

Erfan Noobakhsh Noshahri

If I could do it all over again, I would. Every second of it.

Nowsheen Fatema

This unexpected turn of events made me grateful for my friends, for my time at NYUAD and for all the memories that I made along the way.

Pierre Maged

And somewhere between airports, classrooms, and conversations that went deeper than they were supposed to, I learned that life is always bigger than whatever we think we understand.

Mishka Parikh

I never imagined my undergrad journey would involve so much exploration of both the world and myself, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. 

Chelsea Hoang

No matter where life takes me, I know I’ll carry these connections and memories with me — reminders that home can exist anywhere in the world.

Youssof Saleh

But the best part of all of this has been the people. The friends I was lucky enough to share these moments with, live with, travel with, and the football team that I had the honor of cocaptaining during my senior year.

You are all family now.

Saifeldeen Abed AlRhman

It has been a chapter filled with purpose, growth, and gratitude. One that will continue to guide how I contribute, lead, and create impact in the world ahead.

Erfan Noobakhsh Noshahri
Nowsheen Fatema
Pierre Maged
Mishka Parikh
Chelsea Hoang
Youssof Saleh
Saifeldeen Abed AlRhman
Commencement Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Mo Gawdat is the former Chief Business Officer at Google [X], Chief AI Officer at Flight Story, international bestselling author, and founder of the One Billion Happy movement. With a career spanning more than 27 years across IBM, NCR, Microsoft, and Google, he played a leading role in expanding Google’s presence across emerging markets and helped launch close to half of the company’s global operations. At Google [X], he led business strategy and partnerships for some of the company’s most ambitious innovation projects, including self-driving cars, Project Loon, and Makani. 

Gawdat is the author of several internationally bestselling books, including Solve for Happy, Scary Smart, That Little Voice in Your Head, Unstressable, and Alive. His work explores happiness, artificial intelligence, mental well-being, and the future of humanity in an age of rapid technological transformation. 

Following the loss of his son Ali in 2014, Gawdat dedicated his work to advancing emotional well-being and human connection, leading to the creation of the One Billion Happy movement. He also hosts the widely recognized Slo Mo podcast, featuring conversations on mental health, personal growth, and technology. His latest venture, Emma love, explores the role of advanced AI in fostering meaningful human relationships.

Welcome Speaker Class of 2026

Maryam Alkenji, BA

Maryam Alkenji is a senior at NYU Abu Dhabi with demonstrated experience in student leadership and institutional service. She has served as a Student Ambassador for the Academic Enrichment Program and as a member of the Sufara’a Student Leadership Program, as well as contributing actively to Student Clubs, volunteering initiatives, and leadership efforts, representing the Class of 2026 with passion and a strong commitment to the university’s mission.

Student Speaker Class of 2026

Revathi Angajan, BA

Revathi Angajan is a Business, Organizations, and Society major with a minor in Film and New Media. Her entrepreneurial vision founded Artizen, an AI platform dismantling barriers for emerging creatives across the UAE and South Africa. As a dynamic leader who has served in student government, the touch rugby and badminton teams, vice-president of HSA, and senior film editor for The Gazelle, she fuses artistic passion, strategic impact, and inclusive collaboration to embody NYUAD's global, cooperative spirit.

Previous Commencements