New York University Abu Dhabi marked a major achievement as it hosted its 13th commencement ceremony at Etihad Arena for the first time. The event celebrated the university’s largest graduating class since it opened in 2010. Nearly 600 undergraduate and graduate students received degrees during the ceremony. The class included students from more than 80 countries, showing the university’s strong global reach and diverse academic community.
The ceremony welcomed several senior university leaders and guests. Among them were Evan R. Chesler, Linda Mills, and Rima Al Mokarrab. The event also featured a keynote speech from Mo Gawdat, a bestselling author and former executive at Google.
Mo Gawdat spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing today’s graduates. He said students are entering a world that changes very quickly. He encouraged graduates to continue learning and adapting throughout their lives. He also said empathy and thoughtful leadership will become more important in the future.
Gawdat said young people have the power to improve the world if they use innovation to help others. He told students that combining technology with compassion can create positive change in society.
Evan R. Chesler praised the graduates for completing a demanding academic journey. He said NYU Abu Dhabi offers a unique education that combines academic excellence with cultural diversity. He added that students showed strength and resilience during difficult moments over the past few years.
Interim Vice Chancellor Fabio Piano also addressed the graduating class. He said the world needs leaders who can replace fear with trust and bring people together. Piano praised the students for remaining calm, thoughtful, and empathetic during times of challenge.
Student representatives also shared their experiences during the event. Emirati student Maryam Alkenji welcomed guests at the ceremony. Graduate speaker Revathi Angajan reflected on her time at the university.
Angajan, who comes from India and South Africa, studied Business, Organisations and Society with a minor in Film and New Media. She said NYU Abu Dhabi gave students the confidence to start new ideas and projects. She explained that students could quickly find support from classmates and professors when building creative or business projects.
She also shared how she started working on a startup during her studies. According to Angajan, the university created an environment where students felt comfortable taking risks and trying new things. She said many students began projects, friendships, and personal journeys during their time at NYU Abu Dhabi.
The university remains one of the most selective higher education institutions in the world. Only about four percent of applicants to the Class of 2026 were accepted. The institution continues to attract students from many countries and academic backgrounds.
Students from the graduating class achieved success both inside and outside the classroom. Many joined student clubs, sports teams, and community programs in Abu Dhabi. Around 80 percent of graduates completed at least one internship during their studies.
Students worked with major organizations including Bloomberg, Mubadala, Procter & Gamble, and the United Nations.
Many graduates also received offers from leading universities around the world. Some students earned places at Harvard University, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and Columbia University.
Others secured jobs with global companies such as Visa, Barclays, and Wio Bank.
Since opening in 2010, NYU Abu Dhabi has continued to expand its academic and research influence. The university has produced more than 10,000 internationally recognized academic papers, books, and articles. It also ranked first in the UAE for publications in top science journals based on the Nature Index.
The institution has also supported creative work across many fields. Faculty members and students have created more than 880 artistic and cultural projects. In addition, NYU Abu Dhabi graduates have earned major international honors, including Rhodes Scholarships, Schwarzman Scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships, and Yenching Scholarships.
The record-breaking graduation ceremony reflected the university’s continued growth and rising reputation in global higher education.
