Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the United Arab Emirates Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, received an honorary degree at NYIT-Abu Dhabi's sixth graduation ceremony.

Sheikh Nahayan's honorary degree recognizes his ongoing support and advancement of higher education, as well as his visionary leadership, said NYIT President Edward Guiliano, Ph.D.

"Our presence here today underscores the fact that higher education is an international undertaking," Sheikh Nahayan told graduates at the ceremony. "It is your generation that must take up the banner of peace and preservation of human dignity and development of our local and global communities."

Guiliano said Sheikh Nahayan has been instrumental in supporting international conferences that connect students with professionals working on sustainable development and green business models through education and technology. He also praised Sheikh Nahayan's creation and implementation of policies for education and human resource development in the United Arab Emirates.

Guiliano conferred degrees and delivered an address urging graduates to innovate and cultivate "an interconnected mentality" as they pursue their careers or additional schooling.

"In every field, demand is increasing for a new class of business people, designers, engineers—for people who can perform specialized tasks," said Guiliano, "and more importantly, for people who can synthesize ideas and create solutions to address real-world challenges."

"Your education at NYIT-Abu Dhabi has prepared you well to meet your personal and professional expectations and professional aspirations—I am confident of your success and that you will take these challenges and responsibilities seriously," Sheikh Nahayan said.

Alexandrine Yamine, who earned her B.S. degree in Business Administration and Management at NYIT-Abu Dhabi, delivered the annual student address to her fellow graduates.

NYIT Board Chair Linda Davila, NYIT Chief of Staff Peter Kinney III, and NYIT Director of Alumni Relations Jennifer Kelly also attended the ceremony.

NYIT-Abu Dhabi's graduation follows NYIT's 51st commencement, which celebrated 3,325 graduates on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at the Old Westbury, New York campus. In addition to its Middle East campuses, NYIT also has campuses in Canada, China, and Manhattan.

Since 2005, NYIT has offered degree programs in Abu Dhabi. The programs in Interior Design (B.F.A.), Computer Science (B.S.), and Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) have received initial accreditation by the Commission for Academics Accreditation, United Arab Emirates Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

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About NYIT

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) offers 90 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, in more than 50 fields of study, including architecture and design; arts and sciences; education; engineering and computing sciences; health professions; management; and osteopathic medicine. A non-profit independent, private institution of higher education, NYIT has 14,000 students attending campuses on Long Island and Manhattan, online, and at its global campuses. NYIT sponsors 11 NCAA Division II programs and one Division I team.

Led by President Edward Guiliano, NYIT is guided by its mission to provide career-oriented professional education, offer access to opportunity to all qualified students, and support applications-oriented research that benefits the larger world. To date, 92,000 graduates have received degrees from NYIT. For more information, visit nyit.edu.

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