Candidate Weekend II Agenda
February 4-8, 2026
Wednesday, February 4
Early Arrivals Day
Time |
Activity |
Location |
Details |
8am–11:59pm |
International Arrivals |
Dusit Thani – Lobby |
Student arrivals and check-in. |
12:30–2pm |
Lunch Buffet |
Dusit Thani – Urban Kitchen |
Lunch buffet at the hotel. |
3–6pm |
Mangrove Walk |
Dusit Thani – Hub |
Mangrove walk; meeting point with volunteers at the Hub. |
7:30–10pm |
Dinner Buffet |
Dusit Thani – Skydome |
Dinner buffet at the hotel. |
| 10pm | Lights Out | Dusit Thani |
Thursday, February 5
International Arrivals Day
Time |
Activity |
Location |
Details |
12am–11am |
International Arrivals |
Dusit Thani – Lobby |
Student arrivals and check-in. |
| 8-10:30am | Breakfast at Hotel | Dusit Thani – Ballroom | Breakfast at the hotel. |
12–2pm |
Lunch Buffet |
Dusit Thani – Ballroom |
Lunch buffet at the hotel. |
1:30–2pm |
Welcome and Program Overview |
Dusit Thani – Ballroom |
Welcome and introduction to NYUAD Candidate Weekend. |
2–6pm |
City Excursions and Bus Tour |
Dusit Thani – Ballroom |
Bus boarding for city excursions Excursion groups will meet in the Ballroom for site briefings. |
5:30–6:30pm |
UAE Non-Abu Dhabi Resident Check-In |
Dusit Thani – Lobby |
All UAE residents staying at the hotel should arrive by 7pm at the latest. |
6:30–9pm |
Dinner |
Dusit Thani – Ballroom |
Dinner at the hotel. |
8–8:30pm |
Group Meet and Greet |
Dusit Thani – Ballroom |
International and non-Abu Dhabi residents: Meet with fellow candidates and Candidate Weekend assigned Group Leaders. Briefing on weekend logistics and how to receive updates. |
| 10pm | Lights Out | Dusit Thani |
Friday, February 6
Candidate Weekend Programming Day 1
Time |
Activity |
Location |
Details |
7:30-8am |
Bus Departures to NYU Abu Dhabi Campus |
Dusit Thani – Across Urban Kitchen |
Bus boarding and departures from Dusit Thani to NYUAD campus. |
8-8:30am |
Check-In at NYUAD Campus for Abu Dhabi Residents |
NYUAD Campus, C2 |
Check-in for Abu Dhabi residents, building C2. |
8-8:50am |
Breakfast at NYUAD Campus |
Sexton Square |
Breakfast on campus, Sexton Square. |
9-11am |
University Leadership Welcome and Academic Panel |
A6-008 |
Welcome and introduction to NYUAD Candidate Weekend. Overview of mission, vision, and the student experience. |
11-11:10am |
Break |
A6 Lobby |
|
11:10am-12:30pm |
Life at NYUAD Session |
A6-008 Breakout sessions in A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, C2 |
Student Affairs overview of resources and support for NYUAD students, followed by small group discussions. |
12:30-2pm |
Lunch | Prayer | Ask Me About |
Sexton Square Campus |
Buffet lunch in Sexton Square. |
2:15-3:15pm |
Life in the UAE Session |
A6-008 |
Session on UAE cultural and legal norms led by the Office of Global Access and Engagement. |
3:30-4pm |
Depart for Desert Excursion |
A6 Street-side |
|
5:30-8pm |
Dinner in the Desert Special Object Session Jebel, Wadi, and Waha |
Desert Camp | Desert Dinner under the stars. Students share special objects that represent a sense of home for them, followed by group reflections on the day and the program ahead. |
9.30pm |
Hotel Arrival |
Dusit Thani |
Check-out for Abu Dhabi residents. To-go snacks available at the Hub. Abu Dhabi residents to arrange their transport from the Dusit Thani Lobby. |
10pm |
Lights Out |
Dusit Thani |
Saturday, February 7
Candidate Weekend Programming Day 2
| Time | Activity | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
7:30-8am |
Bus Departures to NYUAD Campus |
Dusit Thani – Across Urban Kitchen |
Bus boarding and departures from the hotel to NYUAD campus. |
8-8:30am |
Check-In at NYUAD Campus for Abu Dhabi Residents |
NYUAD Campus, C2 |
Check-in for Abu Dhabi residents at Sexton Square, building C2. |
8-8:50am |
Breakfast at NYUAD Campus |
Sexton Square |
Breakfast on campus, Sexton Square. |
9-9:20am |
Day 2 Welcome and Program Overview |
West Forum |
Welcome and overview on the day's activities and key announcements. |
9:30-10:05am |
Comprehension Evaluation |
Breakouts in A2, A4, A6, C2 |
Diagnostic exercise to evaluate reading comprehension and analytical skills. |
10:15-11:30am |
Trailblazers |
Breakouts in A2, A4, A6, C2 |
Opportunities to understand and engage with the rigorous liberal arts curriculum and NYUAD academic requirements. |
11:45am-1pm |
Compass Collectives |
Breakouts in A6 and Arts Center | Open, candid conversations with students, alumni, and faculty exploring the people, passions, and lived experience at NYUAD. |
1:15-4:15pm |
Concurrent Sessions: | ||
| Student Interviews | A5 Atrium | Students will participate in an interview with two faculty members. | |
| Campus Tours | Sexton Square | Guided tours offering an overview of campus spaces, facilities, and student life. | |
| Resource Fair | Sexton Square | Fair-style engagement with representatives from various university departments and units. | |
| Candidate Photo ID | E-002 in C2 Building | Photo session for student IDs. | |
| Food and Beverage | Sexton Square | Lunch in Sexton Square. | |
4:30-4:45pm |
Candidate Weekend Group Photo |
Sexton Square | Official Candidate Weekend group photo with the NYUAD sign at Sexton Square. |
4:45-5:15pm |
Reflections, Farewells, and Group Photos |
Sexton Square | Dedicated time for farewells, final photos, and Jebel, Wadi, and Waha reflection session. |
5:30-6:10pm |
Closing Remarks from the President and Vice Chancellor | A6-008 | Introduction by Vice Chancellor Fabio Piano and closing address by President Linda Mills to conclude the Candidate Weekend program. |
6:10-6:30pm |
Wrap-up and Program Dismissal |
A6-008 | Final announcements and official close of Candidate Weekend. |
6:30pm |
Abu Dhabi Residents, Non-Abu Dhabi Residents, and Early International Departures Check-Out |
C2 | Check-out point at C2 lobby. |
6:30pm |
Parent Pick-Up |
NYUAD Campus |
Designated time slots for parents to collect students from campus. |
6:40pm |
Hotel Bus Departures |
NYUAD Campus |
Scheduled bus services departing from campus to the hotel. |
6:50pm |
Airport and Inter-Emirate Transfers | NYUAD Campus | Coordinated transport based on individual travel schedules. |
7:30-9pm |
Dinner |
Dusit Thani – Urban Kitchen |
Dinner at the hotel. |
| 10pm | Lights Out | Dusit Thani |
Sunday, February 8
Departures Day
Time |
Activity |
Location |
Details |
6:30–10:30am |
Breakfast |
Dusit Thani – Urban Kitchen |
Breakfast at the hotel. |
Onwards |
Hotel Check-Out |
Dusit Thani |
Latest check-out time is 12pm. |