Students at New York University Abu Dhabi were able to graduate at an in-person ceremony on Monday for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
A total of 364 students from 85 countries received their degrees at the university’s ninth commencement ceremony — the largest cohort to date.
Keynote speakers at this year's ceremony, held at NYUAD's Saadiyat Island campus, included Ellen Stofan, under secretary for science and research at the Smithsonian Institution and former chief scientist at Nasa, and internationally renowned sculptor Anish Kapoor.
While the ceremony was usually held at the campus in Abu Dhabi, celebrations were moved online for the past two years, because of the pandemic.
This month, some students from NYUAD class of 2020 and 2021 travelled to New York to attend a ceremony at New York's Yankee Stadium.
This year, graduates were delighted to be met with all the traditional pomp and splendour.
Nigerian student Ibrahim Suleiman, 22, was excited to get his degree in front of his father, who had travelled to Abu Dhabi to attend the ceremony.
“It feels good to have our graduation in-person because we had witnessed that the previous classes had virtual celebrations,” Mr Suleiman said.
“We had feared we might be in the same situation.
“It means a lot to me to get the degree in-person. When the Covid pandemic was at its peak, we never thought this would be possible.”
The maths graduate was celebrating both his graduation and also his admission to the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at NYU in the US, where he will study for a PhD.
Indian student Mohammad Yasser, 22, was thrilled to receive his bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in philosophy.
He said that many of his friends had been clinging to the hope of a face-to-face graduation this year.
“It came as a great surprise that we could have an in-person graduation ceremony. There were lots of hopes on the line,” Mr Yasser said.
“We could see how much preparation had gone into this and had a rehearsal on Sunday. There was a lot of care put into this event and it was nice to have an in-person commencement.”
Mr Yasser will soon start work as a product manager at e-commerce company Noon in Dubai.
“Today marks an incredible personal milestone … You couldn’t have imagined that your college years would get caught up in a global pandemic, changing everything and making everything harder,” said keynote speaker Ellen Stofan.
“Yet here you are, in person, for the first time since Covid began. There is no better tribute to the challenges you have faced, than being able to hug your fellow classmates and share this with your family. You did it!”
NYUAD vice chancellor Mariet Westermann praised the students on their hard work, creativity and persistence.
“Your journey, class of 2022, has been enlightening in so many ways, to you, and to all of us who have come along with you,” Ms Westermann said.
"Your hard work, your creativity, and your persistence led us to your graduation, with all of us here to cheer your accomplishments. You, the class of 2022, made this day possible,”
A partnership between New York University and the Abu Dhabi government, NYU Abu Dhabi welcomed its inaugural class in 2010. The university now has more than 1,800 students.
Students celebrate drive-through graduation in Ajman during pandemic – in pictures
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Company%C2%A0profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway
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Canada
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EMILY%20IN%20PARIS%3A%20SEASON%203
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
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Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
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