Order of Exercises
The University Color Guard
Representatives of NYU Abu Dhabi’s faculty and staff carry the colors of the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, and New York University and New York University Abu Dhabi.
The Class of 2025 Banner Bearer
Shanzae Ashar Siddiqui, BA
Graduates by Discipline
Arts and Humanities
Engineering
Science
Social Science
The procession continues with members of
NYU Abu Dhabi Leadership Group
Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education
The procession concludes with the arrival of the platform party
NYU Abu Dhabi Faculty
Pipes and Drums
Abu Dhabi Police Band
The Chief Marshal
Mohamad Eid
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, NYU Abu Dhabi; Global Network Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NYU Tandon
Torchbearers
Firas Darwish, BS
Abdulla Bader AlAli, Class of 2026
The remaining members of the Platform Party include NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi leadership, student speakers, award recipients, divisional deans, representatives of NYU’s Board of Trustees, and the ceremony’s guest speakers.
The National Anthem of the United Arab Emirates
The National Anthem of the United States of America
Pronouncement
Arlie Petters
Provost
Student Welcome
Khalid Alzeyoudi, BS
Trustees Welcome
Evan R. Chesler
Chair, NYU Board of Trustees
Student Speaker
Pauline Wee, BS
Interim Vice Chancellor’s Message
Fabio Piano
Keynote Speaker
Andrew Jay Feustel
NASA Astronaut and Geophysicist
Presentation of Global Leadership Award
Presentation of Candidates for Degrees
Deans representing each discipline will be called to the stage to present their candidates. All candidates and guests are requested to remain seated until the end of the presentations.
Arts and Humanities — Awam Amkpa
Engineering — Samer Madanat
Science — Francesco Arneodo
Social Science — Paula England
Ceremony of the Torch
Firas Darwish, BS
Abdulla Bader AlAli, Class of 2026
The NYU torch, symbolizing “academic purpose and authority,” has been an integral part of the University’s identity since 1911, and a part of its commencement ceremonies since 1938. In 2014, members of the NYU Abu Dhabi Design Collective collaborated to create a torch for NYU Abu Dhabi, which, while remaining true to the structure of the original, incorporates elements drawn from local cultural heritage. Likewise, the ceremony of the torch, inspired by the practice in New York by which a senior member of the faculty passes the torch to the youngest undergraduate degree candidate, has been adapted for NYU Abu Dhabi’s commencement. Here, a member of the graduating class passes the torch to a member of the following year’s graduating class.
Conferral of Degrees
Video Tribute to the Class of 2025
Closing Song
“Feel It Happening”
Cast of The RealAD Show