Renowned spacewalk expert to inspire 530 graduates from over 85 countries at the NYU Abu Dhabi 2025 commencement ceremony.
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has announced that distinguished NASA astronaut and geophysicist Dr Andrew Feustel will deliver the keynote address at the university’s 12th annual NYU Abu Dhabi commencement ceremony, scheduled for May 22, 2025. Dr Feustel will address an extraordinary graduating class of 530 students representing more than 85 countries, reinforcing NYUAD’s mission to foster global citizenship and academic excellence.
An Inspiring Journey from Earth to Space
Dr Feustel brings with him a legacy of exploration and determination. With more than 226 days spent in space and nine spacewalks totalling over 60 hours, he ranks third among all U.S. astronauts for cumulative time spent outside a spacecraft. His NASA career includes three historic missions, including the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (STS-125), the delivery of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the International Space Station (STS-134), and serving as commander of Expedition 56.
“Dr. Feustel’s remarkable journey from studying seismic waves in underground mines to servicing the Hubble Space Telescope exemplifies the intellectual curiosity and boundary-pushing spirit we foster at NYU Abu Dhabi,” said Vice Chancellor Fabio Piano. “His message of exploration and perseverance will resonate deeply with our diverse, forward-thinking graduates.”
Celebrating the Class of 2025 at NYU Abu Dhabi Commencement
The NYU Abu Dhabi commencement ceremony will mark the graduation of 530 students, including more than 20% Emirati nationals. Since its inaugural graduation in 2014, NYUAD has built a truly global learning community. The Class of 2025 has excelled across fields including computer engineering, the humanities, arts, social sciences, and cutting-edge science and technology disciplines.
Delivering the student welcome will be Emirati graduate Khalid Alzeyoudi, a Computer Engineering major and prominent student leader. Alzeyoudi served on the UAE Majlis Executive Board, mentored peers in the Academic Enrichment Program, and represented National Service students on NYUAD’s Student Government Domestic Student Advisory Board.
Student Voices at NYU Abu Dhabi Commencement Ceremony
The class address will be delivered by Pauline Wee from the Philippines, a double major in Computer Science and Business, Organizations, and Society, with a minor in Interactive Media. As a co-leader of The Design Collective and the Craft Circle Student Interest Groups, Wee has demonstrated a deep commitment to community, creativity, and cross-disciplinary impact.
Traditions and Honours at the Commencement Ceremony
The 2025 NYU Abu Dhabi commencement will include traditional elements such as the Ceremony of the Torch—featuring NYU’s iconic torch, a symbol of academic excellence since 1938—and the presentation of the NYU Abu Dhabi Distinguished Alumni Award.
Dr Feustel’s presence reinforces the university’s emphasis on innovation, global citizenship, and the importance of perseverance. With a PhD in Geological Sciences from Queen’s University and leadership roles at both NASA and American aerospace firm Vast, he embodies the spirit of exploration and lifelong learning that defines NYU Abu Dhabi.
About NYU Abu Dhabi
NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. Times Higher Education ranks NYU among the top 35 universities in the world, making NYU Abu Dhabi the highest-ranked university in the UAE and MENA region. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective undergraduate curriculum across the disciplines with a world center for advanced research and scholarship. The university enables its students in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and arts to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges.
NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from over 120 countries and speak over 100 languages. Together, NYU’s campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.
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