Societal Engagement and Impact

The 13th Annual NYU Abu Dhabi Hackathon for Social Good in the Arab World brought together over 250 students from around the world to develop AI and quantum computing solutions addressing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Celebrating the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the event showcased its expanding global impact as a launchpad for careers in emerging tech. Since its inception, it has trained over 1,200 students, empowering a new generation of innovators. Many participants, with little prior experience, developed creative solutions with mentorship from experts in academia and industry.

The winning team, MohituQ, used quantum algorithms to optimize ocean trash barrier placement. As part of their prize, the team received invitations to interview for a six-month paid fellowship at the Womanium Quantum Solutions Launchpad, scholarships to participate in the 2025 Womanium Quantum Programme, and the SC Quantum Award. Leading institutions and partners, including the NYUAD Center for Quantum and Topological Systems, Google, ADIA Lab, CERN, Microsoft, and the United Nations, supported the Hackathon. Participants also engaged in over 60 workshops and talks led by global experts, reinforcing NYUAD's role as a hub for innovation and collaboration.

NYU Abu Dhabi recently participated in the Make it in the Emirates exhibition at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, where our booth showcased the breadth and societal impact of NYUAD’s research. From cutting-edge water membranes engineered to filter high salinity levels unique to the region, to cognitive prosthetic arms advancing human-machine interaction, and haptics-based dental simulators revolutionizing how local anesthesia is taught, our research demonstrates both innovation and relevance.

Highlights also included advancements in integrated photonics for faster data transmission, secure integrated circuits for safer technologies, autonomous robots for confined space inspection and rescue, and sustainable bio-concrete solutions for the construction industry. The exhibition underscored NYUAD’s commitment to creating transformative solutions for regional and global challenges.

We were honored to welcome H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber to our booth, where they engaged with faculty and researchers to learn more about the University’s ongoing contributions to innovation and industry.

The Hillary Ballon Center for Teaching and Learning is playing a pivotal role in contributing to the public discourse surrounding the UAE's integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in public schools. Nancy Gleason (executive director of the center), was quoted in The National article titled "UAE Private Schools Begin to Weave AI into All Aspects of Curriculum." This recognition underscores the center's commitment to advancing educational innovation and fostering important conversations about AI's role in shaping the future of education in the UAE.

This spring, the NYUAD Library welcomed five scholars to its Archives and Special Collections department as part of its travel grant program, jointly supported by the Humanities Research Fellowship for the Study of the Arab World. Now in its fourth round since 2023, the program drew a record 36 applicants and included scholars from Egypt, Lebanon, India, and the United States. The growing interest and range of research topics highlight the expanding impact of the Library’s Gulf- and Middle East–focused collections on global scholarship.

The Office of Research Translation and Entrepreneurship (RTE), in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and StartAD, hosted an engaging Lunch & Learn event in April that focused on launching startups in a university setting. With over 90 faculty and student attendees, the panelists, which included Sami Bashir (Vice Provost for Research Translation and Entrepreneurship, NYU Abu Dhabi), Maheen Pfeffer (Chief Counsel and Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, NYU Abu Dhabi), Mark Righter (Senior University Counsel, NYU), and Ashwin Joshi (Director of StartAD, NYU Abu Dhabi), offered practical guidance on building and sustaining university-based startups, navigating university policies and resources, and understanding the legal landscape along with the UAE’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

NYU Abu Dhabi was proudly represented at the Dubai AI Week exhibition at Madinat Jumeirah on April 23–24. The University’s booth highlighted cutting-edge research from the Center for AI and Robotics (CAIR) and NYUAD’s first faculty- and student-led startup, Chatsign. The exhibition provided an exciting platform to showcase NYUAD’s growing contributions to AI innovation and entrepreneurship, while connecting with leaders from industry, academia, and government across the region.

Barthélémy Bonadio (Assistant Professor of Economics) and Jordan Norris (Assistant Professor of Economics) co-organized the third annual Middle East Spatial and International Economics (MESIE) conference, held January 27–28, 2025. Hosted at NYU Abu Dhabi and supported by the NYUAD Institute and the Development and Global Dynamics clusters, MESIE 2025 welcomed 15 scholars from across the globe and the MENA region. Presentations covered theoretical and empirical research on international trade, urban development, and global policy.

The Center for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS) was featured in The National for developing the Emirates Lunar Simulant, an artificial moon dust made from UAE rocks to aid lunar mission testing. Led by Research Scientist Dimitra Atri, CASS also supports public science through the Wonders of the Universe exhibit at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville featuring a global Mars Map built from Emirates Mars Mission imagery. Most recently, CASS launched its first graphic novel, Nova of Celestoria, at the Middle East Film and Comic Con and the Abu Dhabi International Book Festival, blending science and storytelling. The novel was written by NYUAD students Syed Fahad Rizwan (Class of 2025) and Zhiyu Solstice Luo (Class of 2024).

NYU Abu Dhabi was a proud partner in Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, held April 15–17. As part of its active participation, the University signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and a declaration focused on advancing longevity and precision medicine. These agreements reflect NYUAD’s growing role in shaping the future of health innovation and research and reinforce its commitment to collaborative efforts with local and global partners across academia, government, and industry.

NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery hosted the IKT Curatorial Congress in April 2025, bringing together 90 global curators. The event included a symposium with a keynote by H.E. Manal Ataya, Museums Advisor to the Sharjah Museums Authority. In partnership with DCT, Warehouse 421, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and other cultural institutions, NYUAD showcased its role in the UAE’s cultural scene. Delegates toured faculty studios and visited the NYUAD Art Gallery's GCC art exhibition, further cementing the university’s leadership in global art discussions.

NYU Abu Dhabi successfully hosted The Academic Economist’s Perspective on the Benefits and Risks of AI, Data Science, Blockchain, and Machine Learning. The event drew 121 attendees, including 31 Emirati participants. The audience included students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and the American University of Sharjah (AUS). A highlight of the evening was the presence of the Minister of Economy and his delegation, whose attendance added distinction and visibility to the occasion.

In a remarkable testament to NYU Abu Dhabi's global influence, all three Emirati women named 2025 Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum have strong ties to the university. H.E. Shamma Al Mazrouei, a former NYUAD Rhodes Scholar, now serves as the UAE’s Minister of Community Empowerment, exemplifying the university’s role in preparing future leaders. Taqwa (Tuka) Al Hanai (Assistant Professor of Computer Science), was recognized for her groundbreaking research in human-computer interaction. She was previously named one of MIT Technology Review’s Top 10 Innovators Under 35 in MENA. H.E. Meera Sultan Al Suwaidi, a UAE Federal National Council member, is also a valued Member of the Vice Chancellor’s Circle at NYUAD.

The Winton Group has launched its first Middle East academic awards program in partnership with NYUAD, recognizing five students annually for excellence and impact in STEM. This year’s inaugural winners are: Dilnaz Utemissova (Class of 2025) – Commitment to Advancing Women in Science, Grace Chang (Class of 2026) – Academic Excellence in Computer Science, Uzair Haroon (Class of 2026)– Academic Excellence in Mathematics, Artem Knyazev (Class of 2026)– Academic Excellence in Physics, and Ola Khatib (Class of 2026) – Most Outstanding Doctoral Student in Science.