NYU Abu Dhabi opens its doors
nyu abu dhabi downtown campus - photo: nyu
The New York University – Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) campus proudly opened it’s doors today–another milestone in the ambitious plans by both The Abu Dhabi government and NYU to create a global university. This initiative is the first of its kind at this scale for an American University.
It was officially opened by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Dr John Sexton, the president of NYU (and a Harvard Law graduate) was also present, and is considered a driving force behind NYU’s ambitious expansion plans.
His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority said: “The opening of the downtown campus today represents a major milestone in the establishment of NYU Abu Dhabi. Alongside other new and existing institutions, NYU Abu Dhabi will contribute to the development of the Emirate’s education system, the diversification of the local economy, and the establishment of Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s true cultural capitals.”
The 6,000 sq meter Downtown Abu Dhabi campus will serve as a temporary home for the university until 2014, when the permanent facility on Saadiyat Island will be opened. The Downtown campus is comprised of two three-story buildings connected by a walkway, features a combination of academic and gathering spaces for NYUAD students, faculty and staff, and community spaces that will be open to the public, including a café with indoor and outdoor seating; a bookstore with textbooks, general interest books and NYU Abu Dhabi merchandise; gathering space for lectures and performances; and a welcome center.
NYU Abu Dhabi will not merely be a satellite campus or a study-abroad program. It will be a full integrated part of NYU, virtually equal to its New York City campus at Washington Square. NYUAD students will be chosen by the same admissions procedure, and will graduate with the same degrees, as their Washington Square peers. In fact, this will be the first major U.S. research institution to open a complete liberal-arts university off American soil.
Professors and teaching staff will be hired directly for the Abu Dhabi campus, and supplemented by professors from New York City on a rotating basis. A wide-ranging recruiting drive is already underway in the region and in the US.
The first batch of students will start in August 2010, and the university has already received more than 500 early decision (who agree to enroll and not apply elsewhere if accepted) applications. Final application deadline will be in January. NYUAD will award bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees, with the first class to graduate in 2014. (yes there’s an Engineering program too–Ed.) At its capacity, NYUAD expects 2,000 undergraduate and 800 graduate students.
All classes will be co-educational, although there may be separate men’s and women’s residence halls.
This initiative has been funded entirely by the Abu Dhabi government. However, NYUAD will function independently of local universities and the Ministry of Higher Education. NYU’s Manhattan-based faculty will help develop the curriculum, and the new campus will award the same diplomas that are issued in New York.
Interested to learn more about NYU Abu Dhabi? Read through their FAQ or visit the NYUAD website.
