Strategy and Partner Relations

The Office of Strategy and Partner Relations facilitates strategic planning and communications at NYU Abu Dhabi. Strategy and Partner Relations focuses on aligning NYUAD’s plans with university goals, strategies, and priorities to support NYUAD’s educational mission.

Working across NYUAD, the Office of Strategy and Partner Relations oversees the annual academic and administrative planning processes to inform annual budgeting, operational planning, and senior leadership decision-making. The department also manages strategic communications efforts to advance NYUAD, representing the university to key local stakeholders, and providing leadership and assistance to other university offices to ensure effective and coordinated communications efforts.

Fatma Abdulla joined NYU Abu Dhabi from the General Secretariat of the Executive Council, where she was an advisor in the social development sector. Previously, Fatma was the founder and managing director of a strategic advisory firm, Chief Strategy Officer of Dubai Healthcare City, and Dean of Health Sciences, Communication Technology and Education at the Higher Colleges of Technology. Her research interests are in the area of gender and public policy.

At NYUAD, Fatma works on academic programming and educational planning at the strategic level as well as working closely with leadership on proactively identifying and analyzing all issues that could impact NYUAD’s operations. She is also responsible for Undergraduate Admissions, Executive and Professional Education, Emirati pathway programs including SMSP and Summer Academy, Academic Enrichment, and the PhD Pathway Program. Fatma received a BS from Mount Saint Mary’s College, an MS and MPH from California State University and the University of California, and a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Arizona.

Key People