Critically acclaimed actor, director, and author Joan Chen will address the Class of 2026 at NYU Shanghai’s 10th undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremony on May 16. Born and raised in Shanghai, Chen is widely recognized as one of the most influential Chinese actors and filmmakers of her generation, starring in Little Flower (1979) and The Last Emperor (1987), and more recently appearing in Dìdi (2024) and Montreal, My Beautiful (2025).
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While spring break brings to mind travel and relaxation, this year a group of NYU Shanghai students embarked on two very different trips over the break, combining service work with real world learning in remote parts of China. The trips were organized by the Dean’s Service Corps (DSC), a central hub for community service experiences.
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A study by graduate student Tang Minghao and professors Li Angran and Wu Xiaogang, published in Sociology of Education, traces how Chinese college students’ beliefs about meritocracy shift over four years of university life—and how family background can shape those changes.
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Sophia Wan Zhiyan ’26 didn't always see herself as an artist. But four years of Interactive Media Arts (IMA) classes have convinced her she is one. In her first year, she enrolled in Communications Lab, drawn by an urge to express herself. “I realized how much room there was for creation... it was exciting,” she said.
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• King’s College London Associate Professor in Health Economics and Policy and Director of the Institute of Gerontology Dr. Wei Yang spoke on Tuesday on rethinking long-term care investment and explored the economic and societal benefits of investing in long-term care, drawing on evidence from Europe and China. She was introduced by Provost Bei Wu.
• On Wednesday, SinoUnited Health Founder and CEO Dr. Kathy Shi visited campus to deliver a talk on transforming healthcare through AI and automation. Co-hosted by the Office of the Provost and the GHEC Center, the event opened with remarks by Provost Bei Wu, followed by commentary from IMB Professor S. Alex Ruthmann, and was moderated by Distinguished Global Network Professor of History Chen Jian. Dr. Shi highlighted how AI tools are being integrated into healthcare systems, including document summarization, patient data analysis, and case comparison, to support more personalized, patient-centered care. She emphasized that these technologies streamline clinical workflows and empower medical teams rather than replace them. Concluding that “the future of healthcare is human plus machine,” the event drew nearly 80 attendees, with discussions continuing after the session. • A group of postgraduate students from Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) visited campus to get a firsthand look at NYU Shanghai’s task-based English for Academic Purposes instruction and technology-enhanced learning environments. RITS staff led a hands-on demo of the tools available in the space, followed by a campus tour.
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“Writing, like any art form, is a collaborative process. There’s no way you can do it alone. Even if it exists in your own head or in your computer, it is the product of all the experiences and encounters that you’ve had.”
— Daniel Tam-Claiborne, author of the novel Transplants, speaking on the writing process at an event hosted by the Writing Program on Chinese diaspora and transnational identity
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Connecting Mind and Body
NYU Shanghai community members stretched and moved their way through a number of movements in a tai chi workshop led by Shanghai University of Sport Professor and Deputy Dean of Wushu College Dr. Dong Zhu. Dr. Zhu drew on research and real world practice to demonstrate how tai chi can support cognition, emotional well-being, and quality of life for people living with dementia.
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| From the NYU Global Network
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A Trends in Cognitive Sciences study finds that geometry’s foundations are shared by humans and other animals. “Our ability to think geometrically may not come from a built-in, uniquely human ‘math module’ in the brain, but rather from the same cognitive systems that help humans, as well as animals, find their way home,” NYU professor Moira Dillon explains.
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• Shanghai Commemorates Ping-Pong Diplomacy Anniversary
Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman joined a celebration marking the 55th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy, underscoring the importance of cultural exchange between China and the United States, Wenhui Daily, City News Service, and Wenhua Daily reported.
• Ten Years On: From Fearing AI to Falling Behind It
IMB Postdoctoral Fellow He Jiuheng talked with Southern People Weekly about how the Go community’s encounter with AlphaGo foreshadowed today’s broader AI anxiety -- and showed how AI can widen existing inequalities.
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For a complete listing of events at NYU Shanghai, check out the Weekly Events Newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday when school is in session. If you wish to highlight your event in the Weekly Events Newsletter, upload your event to Engage no later than the Thursday before the Monday newsletter.
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