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NYUAD Concludes Its 10th Anniversary with a Digital Archive of Talks and Retrospective Content

The celebrations, which attracted a global audience of more than 1,500 registrants, reflected upon the University’s many achievements within its first decade and its distinctive, global community

Press Release

NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has concluded its milestone 10th anniversary celebrations with a digital archive of retrospective content now available for the public.

The digital archive features the University’s special 10-year report highlighting its most notable local and global contributions since its formation. It also includes The Origin Story: An Oral History of the Founding of NYU Abu Dhabi 2005-2010, a historic book that showcases the voices of those who have played a key role in the vision and early development of the University. Also  available is the documentary style film This is NYU Abu Dhabi by award winning  filmmaker Anthony Geffen, alongside a series of lively talks with key speakers including Tamkeen LLC Chair and NYU Trustee Rima Al Mokarrab and NYUAD Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann, as well as special guests such as Cultural Adviser to HH the President of the UAE HE Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment HE Mariam Almheiri, UAE Ambassador to Spain HE Ambassador Majid Al-Suwaidi and Official Spokesperson of the UAE Health Sector Dr. Farida Al Hosani.

The celebrations, which attracted a global audience of more than 1,500 registrants, have been an opportunity for NYUAD, the broader NYU global network, and the wider Abu Dhabi community to reflect upon the University’s many achievements within its first decade.

 

"Last week, we celebrated the accomplishments of the extraordinary members of the NYUAD community who are ready to meet the challenges of our world and contribute to a better future here and in the world. Our celebration was made exceptional by the many people around the globe who celebrated with us, including the leadership of the UAE. I would like to especially thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his warm congratulations and for his vision, confidence, trust, and support. It is an incomparable privilege to call Abu Dhabi - a place that values education, innovation, and openness - our home. Together with our Abu Dhabi partners and NYU, we are committed to striving to excel even beyond our ambitious founding vision.”    

NYUAD Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann

During the two-day virtual celebrations the Tenth Talks series covered a variety of topics: from the story of the University’s founding and its contributions towards tackling some of humanity’s most pressing issues such as climate change, and the future of global education, to economic diversification through innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE. Highlights include:

  • A special episode on the founding of NYUAD featuring Tamkeen LLC Chair and NYU Trustee Rima Al Mokarrab alongside NYUAD Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann, UAE Ambassador to the US HE Yousef Al Otaiba, and NYU President Emeritus John Sexton.
  • In the episode Contribution in a Crisis: NYUAD’s COVID-19 Response, Dr. Al Hosani Al Hosani expressed her appreciation to NYUAD for its partnership in Abu Dhabi’s response to COVID-19. 
  • Dr. Jane Goodall was joined by UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment HE Mariam Almheiri to discuss the importance of educating young people on conservation. HE Almheiri commented on the link between food and water security and environmental issues, highlighting the need to create a system that is more efficient using technology to assist, but most importantly, by promoting citizen stewardship and developing a green mindset. Goodall debated the importance of incorporating environmental learning into all curriculums from a young age and encouraging young people to embrace the natural environment. “What you love, you want to protect,” she said. 
  • UAE Minister of Culture and Youth HE Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi was joined by NYUAD Vice Chancellor Westermann, Executive Director of The NYUAD Art Gallery Maya Allison, Executive Artistic Director of The Arts Center Bill Bragin, and Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi Manual Rabaté, all of whom shed light on how different cultural institutions adapted to engage their global audiences during COVID-19. They also explored what more arts institutions in the UAE, the US, and elsewhere, can do to collaborate and share their programming among their respective audiences.
  • Former French President François Hollande joined NYU President Andrew Hamilton and HE Majid Al Suwaidi to discuss climate change, particularly the significant role of public policy in the transition to a low carbon economy, as well as the UAE’s commitment towards promoting renewable energy and sustainability as a leader in the region and a country that has adopted an active stance in combating climate change
  • UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence HE Omar Al Olama explored the progress several government bodies have made in terms of improving the lives of the country’s citizens and residents through the development and implementation of AI applications during a panel titled Innovation Nation: Diversification through AI. He also underlined the crucial role that universities, such as NYUAD, have to play in equipping young talent with the skills and capabilities of the future.

 

About NYU Abu Dhabi

NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective undergraduate curriculum across the disciplines with a world center for advanced research and scholarship. The university enables its students in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and arts to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from over 115 countries and speak over 115 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.

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