Societal Engagement and Impact

Google.org has offered a grant to startAD to identify and develop AI-powered applications that help provide healthcare access for vulnerable populations in the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including senior citizens, disadvantaged youth, and people from low-income backgrounds.

The 8th NYUAD Transportation Symposium, convened by Samer Madanat (Dean of Engineering), Monica Menendez (Associate Dean for Graduate Programs; Director of the Research Center for Interacting Urban Networks (CITIES); Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering), and Saif Eddin Jabari (Associate Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering), was held at 19 WSN in New York City under the theme “Transportation and AI: Opportunities and Challenges.” The symposium brought together ten speakers from MIT, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, McGill, University of Washington, University of Florida, NYU Tandon, and NYUAD, who discussed the potential of AI to revolutionize the transport industry and the challenges that need to be addressed.

The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of Hekayah, an annual program highlighting the UAE’s rich multiculturalism. The event featured a vibrant array of performances, including poetry readings, dance, and songs by artists from around the globe. Audience members enjoyed the show seated on traditional rugs and embroidered cushions in the university’s packed black-box theatre. Bill Bragin, Executive Director of The Arts Centre and founder of Hekayah, emphasized the collaborative curation approach that brings together grassroots artistic communities. Performers like Jiire Smith (Nigerian singer-songwriter, NYUAD student) expressed pride in reflecting the country’s diversity and growth on stage.

The Arts and Humanities Research Platform Open Day successfully showcased NYU Abu Dhabi's various innovative research projects across disciplines such as digital humanities, cultural studies, interdisciplinary arts, and more. This event provided an in-depth look at how the division is advancing research and contributing to the global academic conversation while serving as a platform for fostering meaningful connections with like-minded institutions. For more details, check out the feature in Al Etihad newspaper here.

NYU Abu Dhabi’s new Planetary Simulation Chamber is revolutionizing space research by replicating the extreme conditions of celestial bodies such as Mars, the Moon, and asteroids. Housed within the Space Exploration Laboratory at the Center for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS), this cutting-edge facility enables researchers to analyze planetary environments and test instruments in controlled settings. This advancement strengthens the UAE’s role in space exploration and complements data collected by national and international missions. For more details, check out the feature in The National here.

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi Space Exploration Laboratory led by Dimitra Atri (Investigator) have created artificial lunar soil derived from UAE rocks to support the country’s ambitions of sending Emirati astronauts to the Moon within the next decade. The Emirates Lunar Simulant was created using anorthosite-rich rocks from the UAE’s Semail Ophiolite Complex. These rocks closely match Moon samples' mineral and chemical composition, making them ideal for testing space instruments, equipment, and astronaut training. 

The Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB) has launched The Untold Science: Women in STEM podcast (listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anghami, and YouTube), led by Enas Qudeimat (Head of Research Administration and Outreach, CGSB). The podcast features insightful conversations with women in STEM, including Kirsten Sadler Edepli (Professor of Biology, NYUAD), Rana Dajani (Hashemite University), Pascale Anglade (ADCC Cleveland), Azam Gholami (NYUAD), and Lesley Lancaster (Aberdeen University). This initiative, supported by NYUAD’s Fund for Inclusion and Innovation, fosters diversity and inclusion in the scientific community.

The NYUAD Center for Genomics and Systems Biology and the NYUAD Institute gathered 421 participants from 61 institutions worldwide for its thirteenth international symposium to discuss recent genomics and systems biology developments. Held in February at the NYU Abu Dhabi Conference Center, CGSB XIII featured distinguished speakers, including renowned experts from the UAE, Europe, Asia, and North America. Attendees engaged in 94 submitted posters representing innovative research from across the globe, 85 percent of which originated in the UAE and GCC, highlighting the region’s growing impact in the field. The symposium also showcased groundbreaking art-science collaborations by CGSB Artists-in-Residence Henry Tan and Sam Nester, blending creativity with scientific inquiry.

Etihad Water and Electricity signed an MoU with New York University Abu Dhabi during the IDRA World Congress 2024. The agreement aims to explore collaboration areas in electricity and water to identify and evaluate potential AI applications in the energy and water sectors that mutually benefit both entities. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali (CEO of EtihadWE) and Arlie Petters (Provost) signed the MoU.

NYU Abu Dhabi has officially partnered with e& through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pioneer wireless research and innovation for 6G and beyond. This collaboration marks a significant step in bridging academia and industry in the UAE, strengthening the nation’s wireless R&D ecosystem, and empowering the next generation of tech leaders. Through this MoU, NYUAD Wireless aims to establish a globally recognized research hub that aligns with the UAE’s 6G roadmap and Digital Economy Strategy, driving innovation and advancing the future of wireless communications.

NYU Abu Dhabi has received a commitment of over USD 1 million from the Laidlaw Foundation, a global non-profit dedicated to enriching lives through education. The landmark partnership - the first in the MENA region - will launch the Laidlaw Scholars Program in spring 2026, taking selected undergraduates on an immersive two-year journey. Students will gain access to leadership training, experiential research, and community-based work, joining a global network of over 2,500 Laidlaw scholars from leading institutions worldwide. This transformative partnership aligns with our mission to foster innovation, excellence, and social responsibility while creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration among students and faculty. We look forward to seeing this program's incredible impact on shaping the next generation of global leaders.

The Office of Undergraduate Education offered a five-day Winter Camp with ADEK and the Interactive Media Program in Arts and Humanities. “Creating with AI: Envisioning the Future of the UAE” was led by Michael Shiloh (Program Head of Interactive Media, Associate Professor of Practice of Interactive Media) and Michael Ang (Assistant Professor of Practice of Interactive Media). The camp engaged 20 high school students in dynamic discussions, hands-on experience with AI tools, and personalized mentoring from industry experts

The Research Translation & Entrepreneurship Office was key in organizing Xpanse, a global innovation forum in Abu Dhabi that brought together leading technologists and visionaries at the ADNEC Center. NYUAD students and faculty participated in startup pitches, keynote speeches, and panel discussions, establishing NYUAD as an innovation strategic partner within the Xpanse organization committee alongside ADQ, the event’s sponsor.

The ADNOC-Bloomberg UAE Energy Investment Academy 2024, a key phase of the annual ADNOC-Bloomberg Trading Challenge, brought together 40 students from five UAE universities, culminating in a grand finale at ADIPEC 2024 on November 5. NYU Abu Dhabi excelled, with three teams mentored by Saba Najeeb (Instructor of Social Science) ranking in the top five and two securing first and second place. The competition provided hands-on experience in data analytics and commodities trading, and the winning teams earned a winter internship at the ADNOC Investment Academy.

NYU Abu Dhabi signed an MoU with Emirates Park Zoo, which provides our students, faculty, and staff with a unique opportunity to volunteer at the zoo and gain hands-on experience in animal care and conservation efforts. Additionally, the agreement fosters collaboration in research and other academic initiatives, further enriching our engagement with wildlife and sustainability studies.

The 5th edition of the Global Tolerance and Human Fraternity Conference took place on February 5-6, 2025, in honor of the International Day of Human Fraternity. Hosted in Abu Dhabi under the theme "Peace, Human Dignity, and Peaceful Coexistence," the event saw the participation of Abdulrazak Gurnah (Arts Professor of Literature), Provost Arlie Petters, Wole Soyinka (Arts Professor of Theater), and Fatiah Touray (Executive Director of Inclusion and Equity). The summit aimed to foster connections across different faiths, belief systems, and cultures by focusing on our commonalities and shared values regarding human dignity.

NYUAD’s first AI spinoff, ChatSign Technology, has been submitted for a U.S. patent and accepted into the UAE’s People of Determination Ma’an Incubator Program. Powered by the core AI model OneWorldAI, developed by Yi Fang (Associate Professor of Computer Engineering; Associate Professor of Computer Science), ChatSign Technology creates Generative AI-powered devices designed to empower Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. In addition, Fang’s collaboration with two Harvard research labs on a wearable assistive technology for individuals with visual impairments has led to the submission of a USD 4.8 million NIH R01 grant proposal. Furthermore, five undergraduate women-led research teams under Fang's guidance were named finalists in the 5th Forum for Women in Research, QUWA.

The NYUAD Institute hosted three major academic programs in January, bringing together leading researchers, policymakers, and industry experts. New Frontiers for Policy Evaluation with Big Data (January 14–17, 2025) convened over 30 participants from Oxford, UCL, and Princeton to discuss innovative microeconomic methods for policy evaluation. Decrypting Complexity in Active and Biological Matter (January 20–22, 2025) gathered 70 experts from Harvard, Yale, and the Max Planck Institute to explore complex systems in physics, biology, and AI. The Middle East Spatial and International Economics Conference (January 27–28, 2025) engaged 30 researchers from Columbia, Imperial College London, and Georgetown, Qatar, focusing on globalization, trade policy, and urban economics. These events reinforced NYUAD’s role as an interdisciplinary research and collaboration hub.

The fourth Asia-Pacific Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics 2024 (ACPMG24) was hosted from December 11 to 13, 2024, at NYUAD. Organized by the SHORES Research Center in collaboration with ISSMGE TC104—Physical Modelling in Geotechnics and the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), the conference brought together leading geotechnical engineering professionals from around the world.

In addition to ACPMG24, the SHORES Research Center also conducted several key events, including its first advisory board meeting, the commissioning of the Geotechnical Centrifuge Research Center, and a Class Visit to Saadiyat Marina and Khalifa Port to explore sustainable seaport design.

Renowned artists Maysoon Zayid and Yahael Camara Onono led J-Term classes at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, culminating in public performances that showcased their artistic expertise. Their residencies allowed students to engage with internationally acclaimed performers, fostering a dynamic learning environment that blends practice and theory.

Ghazi Al-Mulaifi (Assistant Professor of Music) continued to expand the boundaries of musical fusion through his collaboration with celebrated jazz musician Arturo O’Farrill on Boom.Diwan x Arturo O’Farrill. This project follows the Cuban-Khaleeji Project, which first saw Al-Mulaifi and O’Farril share a stage at the NYUAD Arts Center in 2019. 

Their performance at globalFEST at Lincoln Center, an event co-founded by Bill Bragin (Executive Artistic Director), placed their work on an international stage, celebrating musical cross-pollination. Additionally, their album Live in the Khaleej!, recorded at The Arts Center at NYUAD, has been commercially released, further solidifying the impact of this collaboration in the global music landscape.

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 5.0 x Emirati Women Achievers (EWA) Bootcamp, held in February at NYU Abu Dhabi, was a remarkable success, celebrated by the presence of Her Excellency Martina Strong, the US Ambassador to the UAE. This event honored the extraordinary Emirati women entrepreneurs who are making a lasting impact in areas such as cultural heritage preservation, mental health, and sustainability. With support from the AWE and EWA programs and the startAD Impact Hub, these innovators are shaping a brighter future for the community.

NYUAD was honored to host the 35th edition of the Strings conference from January 6 to 10, 2025. The annual event brought together 350 leading international researchers dedicated to advancing the frontiers of string theory, quantum gravity, and quantum field theory. The conference featured plenary talks, in-depth reviews, panel discussions, and poster presentations. These sessions facilitated vibrant discussions and the exchange of groundbreaking ideas. Hosting Strings 2025 highlighted NYUAD's commitment to global scientific collaboration and reinforced Abu Dhabi's role as a leading hub for cutting-edge theoretical physics research.