Shamma Al Bastaki, a poet, writer and artist from Dubai, graduated from NYU Abu Dhabi in 2018. In May 2023, Shamma graduated from Harvard University with an MA in Middle East Studies. As a surprise and as a tribute to the
extraordinary John Sexton, President Emeritus, NYU, and Co-Founder of NYU Abu Dhabi (& NYU Shanghai), Shamma recited two of her poems, “A Bridge in
Space” and “Woven” at the Sheikh Zayed Founder’s Memorial. An incredibly moving experience.