NYU Shanghai hosting 3,100 more students

Shanghai New York University (NYU Shanghai) said on Friday that it will be hosting some 2,300 Chinese undergraduates and 800 graduate students from NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi for the fall semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They will join some 1,700 NYU Shanghai students already registered for the term in Shanghai.

Under the NYU Global Network’s "Go Local" plan developed in response to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, students from NYU’s campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai can apply to study at any location that is open and closer to home.

NYU Shanghai will host students currently in China and unable or preferring not to travel to their own campuses. Some NYU Shanghai international students will attend classes in NYU locations outside China.

“In these uncertain times, NYU Shanghai is proud to be able to offer students from our sister campuses in New York and Abu Dhabi this opportunity to attend live classes in Shanghai. And we are grateful for the support to this project from all relevant sides, especially from the Shanghai government,” said Tong Shijun, NYU Shanghai chancellor.

Since the additional students will exceed the capacity of NYU Shanghai’s Academic Building on Century Avenue, NYU Shanghai said it will convert seven floors in nearby WeWork spaces into classrooms, lecture halls and other facilities for students. Rigorous safety measures implemented at the Academic Building since the university reopened in April will be put in place.

An additional 75 faculty from NYU and other universities will join a portion of the NYU Shanghai faculty in leading nearly 200 courses for undergraduates and another 40 for graduate students at the temporary campus. “Go Local” students might also cross-register for NYU Shanghai courses if there is room.

The majority of classes taught at both the temporary campus and the Academic Building will be taught in person. However, “Go Local” students will also be allowed to take online classes offered by their home campuses. Classes at the temporary campus may also be offered online for students who cannot come to the Shanghai campus.

“All of us at NYU Shanghai are looking forward to welcoming these visitors into our community this fall,” said Jeffrey Lehman, NYU Shanghai vice chancellor. “These are challenging times, and it is gratifying to know that our university can continue to promote healthy bridges between China and the rest of the world while we await the restoration of more normal opportunities to travel across national borders.”