Freshman and Sophomore Welcome Back Carnival The Welcome Back Carnival for students from the Class of 2022 and 2021 was held on Feb. 21. With over 140 participants, students gathered in the amphitheatre for an evening of festivities, including activities such as the three-legged race, shave the balloon, can toss and polaroid photo booths. The carnival was aimed at fostering closer relationships between under and upperclassmen.

“It was a great event, that enabled first years and sophomores to unwind after a busy week. For me it was a great reminder that these events are worth holding and that the spirit of community is very much still alive, as an event I planned for 50 people ended being almost 3 times as successful.” Toby Le, Class of 2022 Student Representative, stated.

NYUAD Hackathon for Social Good participants announced On Feb. 22 participants that had been selected for the annual NYU Abu Dhabi Hackathon for Social Good in the Arab World were announced. The NYUAD Hackathon highlights the university’s vision for global leadership, diversity and collaboration in encouraging diverse students and people from all over the world to innovate for social good. Participants learn to use cutting edge research such as Artificial Intelligence, DataScience, Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing to innovate and design technology including online websites, applications, hardware hacks as well as Augmented and Virtual Reality to create technology for change. The event itself will be held from Apr. 25 to 28.

NYUAD Track Meet moved indoors With strong winds causing sandstorms all across Abu Dhabi, the biannual NYUAD track meet scheduled to take place on Mar. 1 had to be moved indoors.

“Personally I think it went well. The overall outcome was amazing regarding how everything got shifted last minute, which was something I was personally was not happy about.” Tintié Ahmed Koné, Class of 2022, said. “I would have the whole meeting postponed rather than holding it indoors.”

Despite the inconvenience, the general feel of the event was warm, but competitive. NYUAD athletes performed quite well, capturing first place. Koné, who placed first in the 200 meter run, second in the 4x200 meter relay, and first in the 400 meter relay expressed his happiness at the team’s performance in an athletic climate without substantive support for track and field.

“Our NYUAD team, I would say we did fantastic. [Because] for most of us, we don’t claim to be runners… being in a university that is this competitive, and so tough with academics and stuff like that, finding a way to balance it is tough.”