Engineering the Future | Part Two

Study Engineering in Abu Dhabi, a Global Technology Hub

At NYU Abu Dhabi, students can choose from six undergraduate engineering majors. These include Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. In each program, students learn to approach problem-solving creatively, gaining a global perspective alongside technical expertise.

Yugmee Gidiya, Class of 2026, chose to major in General Engineering because it allowed her to broaden her skill set while exploring different interests. During her studies at NYU Abu Dhabi, she participated in research across three labs and interned at a start-up. Additionally, she studied away in New York City and attended international sustainability conferences.

“I am a very curious person, so I always try to find intersections in everything I do,” she says. For her senior Capstone Project, Yugmee and three classmates worked in the Vijay Lab, which specializes in 3D printing and bioprinting for tissue engineering. Their mission? Develop drug-releasing hydrogel contact lenses—made from sustainable biomaterials—to treat bacterial keratitis, a serious infection of the cornea. “You wear them for 72 hours, and the drug you need is released while keeping your eyes hydrated,” Yugmee explains.

Junior Kate Taimazova also works in the Vijay Lab. A Mechanical Engineering major, her studies focus on using mechanical and thermal energy to design and produce devices that improve human life. As a member of the Formula SAE team, she’s extended her work beyond the classroom and lab, collaborating with teammates to design, build, and race a formula-style car.

The team takes advantage of NYU Abu Dhabi’s Engineering Design Studio, where they receive mentorship, connect with industry experts, and access the tools required to turn an idea into a prototype. “The Engineering Design Studio is really helping us right now. We’re in the theoretical research stage, and they’re providing professional access to the simulation software we need,” Kate says. “We’re also coordinating with one of the studio’s leaders, who is helping us seek sponsors.” Kate and her teammates will come to the United States to race their completed car during this year’s Formula SAE competition.

Engineering Brought to Life

Engineering students—and those studying across STEM disciplines—have access to a wide range of resources at NYU to support their academic, personal, and professional growth.

The NYU Tandon MakerSpace is where engineering meets play. Located on our Downtown Brooklyn campus, this state-of-the-art facility is designed for student ideation and creation, whether it’s homework, an extracurricular, or just for fun. The 10,000-square-foot lab is equipped with 3D printers and scanners as well as laser cutters, all available to students for prototyping and experimentation.

Beyond the lab, the Tandon Career Hub offers a holistic approach to professional development for STEM students. The Hub offers résumé-building workshops, mock interviews, advising, and career fairs. During weekly drop-in sessions, students can stop by for anything from a quick résumé review to advice on what to wear during an interview. Plus, all Tandon students receive the Hub’s weekly newsletter, featuring upcoming events, internship opportunities, and student resources.

For students looking to launch their own ventures, the Mark and Debra Leslie Entrepreneurs Lab (eLab) is where NYU’s aspiring student entrepreneurs go to ideate and create together. The 6,800-square-foot facility features a prototyping lab complete with laser cutters and a 3D printer, with full-time staff to help you learn how to use them. At the eLab, students can connect and collaborate with peers across complementary disciplines and receive advice from successful entrepreneurs.

Other Engineering Opportunities at NYU

Urban Future Lab
The Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon supports innovators growing sustainability-focused start-ups. Here, undergraduates can complete for-credit internships, enter prototyping competitions, and collaborate with leading businesses.

Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs)
These long-term projects give students practical experience working alongside their peers and faculty members. Each VIP team is unique and tailored to a specific research topic. For example, some teams build and operate specialized machines, like rockets, to enter into national competitions. Others focus on addressing a specific challenge, such as developing technologies to aid those who are visually impaired.

Studying Abroad
Engineering majors can study away through NYU’s global network or an exchange program at high-ranking engineering institutions worldwide. Plan ahead with your academic adviser to select the right location for your degree requirements and goals.

Want to build robots, bridges, or a new business?
NYU has a club for that!
Here are some of the many STEM clubs and organizations you can join across our campuses in New York City, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai.

• American Society of Civil Engineers
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Cybersecurity Club
• Mathematics Society
• National Society of Black Engineers
• New York Machine Learning Club
• Patent Pending
• Robotics Club
• Space Exploration Society
• weSTEM (Women in STEM)