Photo Gallery: Back to School and Preparing for Commencement

NYU Shanghai completed its phased re-opening this week, welcoming back juniors, sophomores, and freshmen who wished to join the seniors, graduate students, and faculty who had begun returning to Century Avenue on April 27. Some 246 students and 342 faculty members returned to the Academic Building on Century Avenue this week, three months after the shutdown due to COVID-19. Return to campus is optional this semester, as many community members still remain overseas due to travel restrictions, and classes will continue either online or in a live and online ‘mixed-mode’ approach.

The campus looks a bit different these days - from hand sanitizers in every corner of the building to well-spaced tables and chairs and signs reminding everyone to wash hands. But the sounds and sights of faculty and students teaching and learning, and students and staff preparing for commencement will be familiar to all. Here’s a look at NYU Shanghai’s post-Covid ‘responsible re-opening.’

While some classes continue to be held online, some are proceeding in a “mixed-mode” approach. NYU Shanghai has purchased additional equipment to enable professors to teach both students in the classroom and online. With three webcams set up in the studio, Assistant Arts Professor of Dance Tao Siye is demonstrating folk dancing techniques both to students in the classroom and those joining remotely. In the meantime, students from both sides are able to see each other and comment on how to improve their dance moves.

Students learning the techniques from home

The advanced cell biology lab reopened this week, enabling Associate Professor of Practice in Biology Li Wenshu to lead hands-on live cell experiments with students in Shanghai, while the rest of class watched remotely.

Students conducting live cell culturing in the biosafety cabinet.

Graduation is around the corner. Although this year’s in-person commencement will not take place, efforts are underway to create a memorable and meaningful virtual celebration on May 29. To make this year’s commencement special, the 2020 Student Commencement Committee has prepared gift boxes and shipped them to seniors in 23 countries/regions. In addition to full academic attire, a few surprises await for seniors to discover in their boxes.