Abu Dhabi’s partnership with New York University created an “entirely new model” in higher education to better equip young people in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, a trustee for the university has said.
Rima Al Mokarrab, chair of the Tamkeen board of directors, made the comments in the lead-up to New York University Abu Dhabi’s 10th anniversary on Tuesday.
She said NYUAD’s contributions to academia, the arts, and research have been “greater than anyone could have hoped for”.
“It’s only been 10 years and the best is yet to come,” she said.
How should we think about educating students in a world that is hyper-connected and rapidly changing?
Rima Al Mokarrab
Tamkeen, New York University’s UAE partner, is tasked with delivering projects to enrich the UAE’s social, cultural and educational landscape.
A decade ago, Abu Dhabi sought a higher education partner that could better prepare students for life in a "crossroad city" like Abu Dhabi, said Ms Al Mokarrab.
“The whole world travels with us and through us. Because of this, our experiences, as well as our challenges, don’t stay neatly within our borders,” she said.
“So we asked ourselves, did higher education in general truly prepare students for this new reality?
“How should we think about educating students in a world that is hyper-connected and rapidly changing? And how do we help them engage with ideas and creativity at home and around the world?”
New York University, from another crossroad city, was asking the same questions, and coming to very similar conclusions - making it the perfect partner.
But Ms Al Mokarrab said Abu Dhabi was not seeking to bring an identikit institution to the UAE.
The emirate wanted to build an institution in partnership with NYU that reflected the energy and ideas emerging from here, she said.
“We wanted to create an institution that would allow the world to deeply engage with the Middle East’s Muslim and Arab culture, with all the richness that brings, but not to stop there – to look outward to other places and perspectives,” said Ms Al Mokarrab.
“NYUAD had to be ‘in and of’ Abu Dhabi, not a copy-paste of NYU New York, and not apart from its city and community,” she added.
The institution they ultimately built had three identities: Emirati, American and global, said Ms Al Mokarrab.
“We wanted to build a community where these three identities could live together harmoniously, enrich one another, and do good for the world.
“The institution had to embody openness and engagement, where your first instinct is to see our common humanity, to seek to understand and, when you disagree, to do so constructively”.
It was an incredibly complex task, she said.
“Our mandate was simple to say, hard to do: create a world-class institution, in our lifetime, not in 200 years,” said Ms Al Mokarrab.
They achieved it through mutual respect and a deep partnership.
One challenge involved finding methods to provide for the movement of people and ideas.
“You can’t educate and prepare students for a more interconnected, complex and challenging world in theory,” said Ms Al Mokarrab.
“That learning has to occur and be lived in its own context all over the world, and it’s going to look and feel different in each environment.
“That is why we shifted the traditional model of higher education, in which study abroad was rare and for a minority of students, and pioneered the NYUAD model, which offers universal study abroad, usually in more than one country, as part of a globalised curriculum.”
Its successes are very much apparent, said Ms Al Mokarrab.
In its eight graduating classes, NYUAD has produced 16 Rhodes scholars, the highest number per student of any university in the world in that period, she said.
“More than half of these scholars are UAE nationals earning graduate degrees at Oxford in public policy, development studies, economics, and diplomacy,” added Ms Al Mokarrab.
Emirati students are the single largest group of students among 121 nationalities.
UAE nationals comprise almost half of the 3,700 people who have enrolled in NYUAD’s non-degree programmes, which includes the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Programme for young future leaders from across UAE.
NYUAD’s contribution will be through the wonderful efforts of its people – the students, faculty and staff who make up the NYUAD community
Rima Al Mokarrab
The institution’s work has also benefited the wider Abu Dhabi community.
It has supported 700 entrepreneurs to accelerate their start-ups, delivered executive education to thousands of professionals, and staged more than 600 arts performances and exhibitions from across the UAE and around the world.
Its research has been ground-breaking, said Ms Al Mokarrab. Successes include creating the world’s first unhackable computer chip and supporting the UAE’s Covid-19 response by developing innovative new saliva-based testing methods.
“NYUAD’s contribution will be through the wonderful efforts of its people – the students, faculty and staff who make up the NYUAD community,” said Ms Al Mokarrab.
“Their outlook is shaped by their time in the UAE, their experiences in the NYU Global Network, and their engagement with their peers.
“In this community I see energy and optimism, and great ambition, too,” she said.
“I have no doubt that their contributions will be transformative and this is just the start.”
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets
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The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The%20specs
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
