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To prepare for a seamless ceremony, all graduating students and faculty are required to attend the rehearsal.

Student commencement rehearsal

📅 Date: Wednesday, 6 May, 2026

🕒 Time: 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

📍 Location: MBZUAI Multi-Use Hall, Masdar City

During the rehearsals, we will walk through the full sequence of the event, including procession, seating, and stage protocol. Please arrive on time.

What to expect on the day?

Watch last year’s Commencement celebrating the Class of 2025

Gown booking

Gown booking

ACTION REQUIRED: The gown booking deadline has PASSED. Students must urgently email commencement.2026@mbzuai.ac.ae. Students without a gown will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

Booking system

An account with the university gown supplier (caps-gowns.com) has been created on your behalf using your MBZUAI email. Please log in and place your order, following the attached instructions.

Costs

Graduates are responsible for renting or buying their gown. The costs are as follows:

Cap/Gown Rental Purchase
Master’s 315 AED + 200 AED deposit + VAT 600 AED + VAT
Ph.D. 420 AED + 200 AED deposit + VAT 800 AED + VAT

Sizing

Please follow the attached instructions on gown/cap sizing. Your gown should reach at least mid-calf level or below.

Caps and gowns are available to try on in the Campus Life Office (1B Building, Level 3), Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Faculty gown

Faculty are invited to wear their alma mater gown or purchase an MBZUAI gown for the event.

ACTION REQUIRED: The gown booking deadline has PASSED. Faculty must email commencement.2026@mbzuai.ac.ae to purchase an MBZUAI gown.

Protocol briefing

Protocol briefing

The Commencement will be attended by a Guest of Honor, key officials, and leadership which may include the royal family, diplomatic officials, governmental representatives, and leaders from the private sector.

The protocol team’s role

  • Your trusted advisor in planning and orchestrating VIP visits, ceremonies, meetings and special events.

Guest of honor presence etiquette

  • Upon guest of honor (GOH) arrival, all attendees should stand up until requested by GOH/protocol to sit.

National anthem

  • You will be asked to stand for the UAE’s national anthem, and you should remain standing for the duration.
  • Your hands by your side.

Certificate receiving guidelines

  • Guest of honor stands in the middle.
  • Graduate entry and exit from stage will be practised at rehearsals.
  • Acknowledge the GOH with a handshake if he/she extends their hand and receive the certificate.
  • Every student has 15 seconds to receive their certificate and take their photograph, smiling towards the central photographer.
  • Maintain space (half a meter) between GOH and yourself.

Handshake guidelines

  • The right hand should always be free for handshaking.
  • The left hand should hold only one item.
  • Extend your right hand with thumb up and fingers out.
  • Shake from the elbow, not the wrist or shoulder.
  • Two smooth pumps.
Dress code

Dress code

What to wear on graduation day

Graduation is a formal event. You should wear smart clothing beneath your gown.

Gentlemen - Dress code

  • Suits: Should be plain and formal—avoid pinstripes, bold patterns, or bright colors.
  • Shirts and ties: If wearing a shirt, a tie is required.
  • Jackets (optional): A formal jacket or blazer may be worn but is not required.
  • Footwear: Choose smart, closed toe dress shoes that are comfortable for walking—trainers and open sandals are not permitted.
  • Shirts: We recommend wearing a buttoned shirt to help secure the academic hood. Safety pins are also suggested to keep the hood in place.
  • National dress: The UAE national attire is welcomed and may be worn beneath your graduation gown.

Ladies - Dress code

  • Suits or dresses: Choose plain, formal attire—avoid pinstripes, bold patterns, or bright colors. Dresses or skirts must be below the knee.
  • Jackets (optional): A formal jacket or blazer may be worn but is not required.
  • Footwear: Opt for smart dress shoes that are comfortable for walking. Trainers or open sandals are not permitted. Heels are allowed, but we do not recommend wearing high heels.
  • Blouses: A buttoned blouse or shirt is recommended to help secure the academic hood. Safety pins are also advised to keep the hood in place.
  • National dress: The UAE national attire is welcomed and may be worn beneath your graduation gown.
Event timings

Commencement timings

9:15 a.m.

Faculty arrive for briefing

10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Gowning window

11:45 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Guest arrival

12:00 p.m.

Doors close

12:00 p.m.

Ceremony begins

Parking and transport

Parking and transport

Transportation

From the North Car Park, visitors can take a golf cart or the electric autonomous NAVYA bus (if available) to the main building. Alternatively, the Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) system can be used from the parking area to Building 1A.

Parking

Guests are advised to park in the North Car Park.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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Commencement will be held on Thursday 7 May, 2026. The actual ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. (doors close strictly at 12:00 p.m.). Graduating students and the procession are expected to be on site no later than 10:15 a.m. and gowned by 11:15 a.m.

Currently, graduating students (and up to two guests per attending graduating student), faculty, MBZUAI’s Board of Trustees, and University partners are invited and encouraged to join us in celebrating our 2026 graduates. There will be guests of honor and VVIPs in attendance.

Commencement will be held at the MBZUAI Multi-Use Hall, Masdar City, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

There are two dress rehearsals scheduled for May 6. Graduates must attend on May 6.

Wednesday, 6 May: Graduates only
12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Graduates rehearsal

Graduating students, flag bearers, mace bearer, and gowning volunteers should attend the rehearsal. All MBZUAI gowns will be delivered to campus. Faculty wearing their Alma Mater gowns must transport them to the campus.

For graduating students, it is strictly business wear/formal dress or national dress with appropriate smart footwear (NO sneakers/trainers/flip flops). Audience members should wear conservative, smart casual (shoulders and knees should be covered). It is recommended for ladies to bring a wrap or pashmina as the event space can get quite cold due to the air conditioning.

Yes. Mobile phones should be set to silent during Commencement. In some instances, guests will not be able to film or take photographs. This will be communicated by the MC on the day.

Yes. The limit is two guests per attending graduate.

No official (printed or otherwise) invitation is required to attend the Commencement. All guests will be provided with a wristband for entry to the ceremony.

Yes. All children attending the event must be supervised and remain in the care of a parent or responsible adult for the entire duration of the ceremony.

The actual ceremony will be approximately one hour.

We will have golf cart shuttles to/from the Multi-Use Hall on Commencement day. All transportation will depart from and return to the North Car Park, Masdar City.

In addition to the transportation on the campus to the event, there is also parking available at the North Car Park.

Please contact commencement.2026@mbzuai.ac.ae

We welcome all volunteers! Please reach out to commencement.2026@mbzuai.ac.ae who will advise and confirm your role and all details necessary.

Plans are currently underway to livestream the event. Confirmed links will be shared prior to the event day.

Yes.

No. Flags are not allowed inside the venue.

Contact

Please send all:
Commencement enquiries to commencement2026@mbzuai.ac.ae
Student-related enquiries to campus.life@mbzuai.ac.ae

Get in touch