Bill Clinton to speak at first New York University Abu Dhabi Graduation

Former US President Bill Clinton

The inaugural commencement ceremony takes place on May 25 and will see 140 students from 49 countries graduating.

The ceremony itself will be held at NYU’s newly built campus on Saadiyat Island, which is set to officially open this summer.

Bill Clinton received an honorary degree from New York University in 2011, and he presented an international group of NYU Abu Dhabi students with the top prize in the annual Hult Global Case Challenge in April 2012.

After leaving the White House, President Clinton established the Clinton Foundation with the mission to improve global health, strengthen economies, promote health and wellness, and protect the environment.

“Four years ago, the students in our Class of 2014 arrived at NYU Abu Dhabi as pioneers, excited to join us in our journey to create a powerful innovation in higher education,” said the NYU Abu Dhabi vice chancellor, Al Bloom.

“And while our students came to NYU Abu Dhabi from many backgrounds, they were united by a common bond: A desire to make their mark on a more knowledgeable, productive, responsible, just, and peaceful globe. Over the past four years, they have worked with immense energy and imagination to prepare themselves for lives that will meet these aspirations,” he said.

“It is a terrific privilege for NYU Abu Dhabi to be able to welcome President Bill Clinton as our inaugural commencement speaker, a man who has devoted his life to addressing the world’s most significant challenges in pursuit of these very same goals.”