• Associate Professor of Physics
Tim Byrnes’ paper on
Ising machines, published in
Nature Reviews Physics, was cited by the Nobel Committee for Physics in the “
Scientific Background to the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024”(Ref 21). Byrnes’ paper explores the potential of Ising machines, a type of novel computing system, to efficiently solve complex optimization problems by simulating the behavior of interacting spins in physical systems. This year's Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their discoveries and inventions in machine learning that paved the way for the artificial intelligence boom.
•
Nearly 100 students, faculty, and staff attended the Provostial Distinguished Lecture on Wednesday evening, titled "From Karachi to Haifa: The Role of the University in Conflict Resolution." The speaker, Dr. Ron Robin, Senior Advisor to Academic Leadership at NYU Shanghai and Senior Vice Provost at NYU, NYU Abu Dhabi, and NYU Shanghai, shared his thoughts on the university's role in terms of crisis. He emphasized that institutions of higher education should act as mediators and facilitators, uniting people from diverse backgrounds and fostering shared values through common readings, curricula, and collaborative experiences.
• NYU Shanghai participated in the 21st
Shanghai Education Expo held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center on May 24 to 26, 2024, together with 126 other schools and education institutions. NYU Shanghai’s violet vibes booth won an award for the top 10 Most Popular booths in the Higher Education exhibition area. Around 8,100 visitors stopped by the booth over the three days of the show and communicated with NYU Shanghai members onsite. An online showcase continued for a month, showcasing NYU Shanghai’s achievements in scientific research and education over the past few years.
• Tai chi, yoga, singing bowl sound therapy, physical therapy, and bamboo weaving were just a few of the activities in this year’s campus WellBeing Expo! Over 30 lively booths offered a range of physical challenges, calming experiences, healthy food tastings, and other hands-on activities in collaboration with wellness partners from NYU Shanghai, Qiantan area, and the broader Shanghai community. The fair is a reminder to us all that our health and wellness are important—no matter how busy life gets!
• On October 17, musicians from Taiwan’s Longtan Philharmonic Orchestra and the NYU Shanghai Orchestra under the direction of Area Head of Performing Arts
Cheng Yue, performed a unique blend of Western classical music, Chinese folk songs, and jazz as part of “Shanghai Musical Ties – Cross-Strait Youth Cultural Exchange.” This collaboration fostered appreciation for diverse musical traditions and celebrated the significance of cross-strait partnerships and enriching the global music landscape.
