With 32 days left until the academic year reaches its conclusion, everybody seems to be looking toward NYU Abu Dhabi’s Class of 2016’s commencement, which will be held on May 23.

Seniors Layan Abu Yassin and Shakhbut Al Kaabi have been selected as the student speakers. Senior Lucia Salem has been selected as the flag bearer, and senior Veronica Houk will pass the torch from Class of 2016 to junior Garreth Chan. For the commencement ceremony in New York, senior Geo Kamus will receive the degree and senior Daniel Brown will host the NYUAD flag. Senior Theo Ntawiheba has been nominated to speak on behalf of Class of 2016.

Leading up to commencement, Ma’a Salama 2016 will allow graduating seniors and their guests to celebrate their time in college and share new experiences in Abu Dhabi.

Angela Ortega Pastor, the chair of the Student Commencement Committee, pointed out the four goals set by the SCC that have guided the design and planning of the commencement experience. These four goals include celebrating memories, friendships and accomplishments as a class; cementing lasting relationships with each other, the university and the UAE; saying goodbye to classmates, faculty, staff and the greater community; and having fun.

These goals have proved effective as both a guidance and an objective when designing the Ma’a Salama itinerary. Ma’a Salama includes among other events a trip to the desert, a trip to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a welcome dinner and a flashback dinner.

In terms of the commencement itself, underclass students who signed up for the lottery have been notified of whether they have received a ticket. Students who were not successful in the lottery have been placed on a wait list, from which they can receive a ticket if a student currently holding a ticket is unable to go.

For students staying on campus for commencement, those with summer classes can remain in their rooms until they move into their summer housing. Those staying only for commencement can either pay a fee of 734 AED to extend their stay or stay with a friend on campus using the guest policy.

While a lot of work is being done on planning the event,  the hype is also starting to pick up pace online. Students and community members can follow NYUAD Campus Life on Instagram where the office is conducting a  social media campaign that will feature throwbacks, thoughts and photos since the start of Class of 2016’s time in Abu Dhabi. #Maasalama2016 will be the tag to use to search and share photos as excitement and atmosphere builds up over the next few weeks.

As the community looks toward saying goodbye to one class and welcoming another next year, much work has gone — and is going — into making commencement and Ma’a Salama 2016 a celebration of the class’s achievements and aspirations for the future.