I graduated from Abu Dhabi University with a Bachelor of Architecture and a GPA of 3.98 – top of my class. During the winter semester of my senior year, I interned with GHD Engineering. The company was so pleased with my work that they extended the internship until the end of my senior year. After graduation, I was selected for Gensler's six-month Professional Internship Program. Gensler - ranked the top architecture firm globally at that time - was impressed with the quality of my portfolio and my design program capabilities. Had the global pandemic not resulted in a hiring freeze, I would have secured a full-time position with Gensler.
Following this, I decided to pursue a postgraduate program and chose the Master of Construction Management at the University of Kansas, USA, out of multiple offers from UK and USA universities. I am on course to graduate this year (May 2023) with a GPA of 4.0. and the options for my next step are wide open. GLMV Architecture in Kansas City extended my summer internship and offered me a full-time position after graduation. Or I might accept an offer from Kansas State University to study for a Ph.D. in Environmental Design. Abu Dhabi University gave me the skills to succeed in my field, and I am grateful to all the professors and teaching assistants who supported me through my undergraduate and postgraduate journey. I am excited to see what the future holds.
My journey at Abu Dhabi University has been nothing short of incredible, and it has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. As a graduate with honors from the Bachelor's program in Mass Communication in 2016, I had the privilege of being a student of some of the most knowledgeable and experienced educators in the field.
The program provided me with a solid foundation in communication theory, and I learned about various forms of media such as print, broadcast, and digital media. This allowed me to pursue my passion for content creation and media, and I was able to start my career as a content creator and presenter.
In 2019, I graduated with a Master's degree in Business Administration with a fellowship from Griffith University, Australia. I owe this achievement to the exceptional education I received at Abu Dhabi University.
ADU gave me a platform to develop my skills and knowledge beyond the classroom. As a member of the Media Youth Council, I had the opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the media industry, and we developed solutions for various media-related issues in the UAE.
Today, as a content creator and presenter, I owe much of my success to the education, mentorship, and opportunities provided by Abu Dhabi University. I am grateful to the faculty, staff, and fellow students who have supported me throughout my journey.
I was privileged to be taught by an outstanding faculty, providing incredible teaching efforts and support. Without this continuous support and world-class teaching, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish the achievements I’ve always dreamed of. I was able to complete my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in three years due to the flexibility and availability of courses, which allowed me to graduate among the first cohort of students in 2014.
The resources available at ADU provided me with the opportunity to explore modern challenges in the field of conditioning monitoring and opened doors to new challenges. I also worked as a teaching assistant while pursuing my master's degree in mechanical engineering.
Thanks to ADU, I had the opportunity to broaden my academic horizons and learn from some of the best minds in the field. I am currently working as a doctoral researcher on the topic "AI-based condition monitoring of electro-hydraulic systems" at Tampere University, Finland.
"I aimed to make a positive impact on ADU during my time here."
"Having worked in different sectors for several years, I realized that law was my true passion. After conducting extensive research to find the best institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in law, I found Abu Dhabi University to be impressive with its accreditations and world rankings."
"I am receiving the highest standards of education in my program, with excellent facilities and incredibly knowledgeable and supportive professors. The co-curricular activities at ADU have provided me with opportunities to participate in seminars and conferences, enabling me to apply what I have learned in real-world situations on an ongoing basis."
As an alumna of Abu Dhabi University's Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (English) program, I can confidently say that it provided me with the opportunity to learn the best practices in media production for various media platforms. Working with sophisticated equipment such as high-end cameras, lighting, vision mixers, and the audio console in the TV studio was an experience that gave me the confidence to work at both front and back camera in television production. The program helped me discover my true potential and transformed me into someone always ready to accept challenges. My parents were my motivation to succeed; my friends gave me the necessary support; my teachers provided the tools.
Set your goals and make a plan to achieve them!
As a current Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering student at ADU, I can confidently say that the university has provided me with countless opportunities for growth and learning, both academically and personally. The faculty and professors have always been dedicated to ensuring that students receive a quality education, as well as inspiring us to push ourselves to new heights.
The supportive community at ADU has helped me to achieve my goals and aspirations, and I am grateful for the guidance and encouragement I have received from everyone involved. Although I will eventually graduate and move on to new endeavors, I know that the experiences and knowledge I have gained at ADU will stay with me throughout my life.
In short, ADU has had a profound impact on my academic journey and personal development, and I am proud to be a part of this exceptional institution.
ADU was one of the most significant stations in my journey. It provided me with ample opportunities to invest my time and energy in various extracurricular activities such as research, competitions, sports, and volunteering. I used to enjoy spending my time on campus using the available facilities. I am immensely grateful for the professors who acted as mentors and provided me with their knowledge and support, helping me identify my goals and achieve them in my career path. As a graduate in Business Administration, I am delighted that my BBA degree is double accredited by AACSB and EQUIS, which is a distinction only 1% of business schools worldwide have achieved.
The professors at ADU encourage you to succeed by nurturing your enthusiasm as well as improving your knowledge in the areas of biology, medicine, and engineering. Their doors are always open, and they deliver the classes in such an enjoyable way.
I have really enjoyed my biomedical courses and learned a lot, including about medical devices and how to design and classify them. Because of this, I feel I will be able to make a real difference in the biomedical engineering field and the health industry in general.
State-of-the-art technology is used in all the labs, providing students with an optimum hands-on learning experience. In fact, the Bioimaging Research Lab is affiliated with the University of Louisville's Bioimaging Lab, making it one-of-a-kind in the UAE.
ADU has welcomed one of the best known leaders in higher education in the region, Professor Thomas J. Hochstettler, as its new Provost, joining an already distinguished and highly qualified leadership team under the direction of Chancellor Professor Waqar Ahmad.
In his new role, Professor Hochstettler will provide strategic direction to the university’s teaching and research activities and will work with the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor Administrative and Financial Affairs, Director Al Ain and Dubai Campuses, Deans, Faculty, Director Student Affairs and other University leaders on matters related to the curriculum, teaching and learning, faculty research, and growth of academic provision. His portfolio includes oversight of the University’s five Colleges and all academic support activities.
Professor Hochstettler brings over thirty years of experience as leader to his new role at ADU. He is highly regarded internationally as an influential leader and innovator in higher education. With Hochstettler as part of its leadership team, ADU will continue to be guided by the strategic-planning vision of enhancing its national and international standing as a leading higher educational institution and its commitment to contributing to the growth and prosperity of the UAE and the region. As Provost, Hochstettler will be an invaluable asset to the university, which is dedicated to maintaining the highest quality of teaching, student success, research, creativity, and service to the community and nation.
Professor Hochstettler is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned his Masters and PhD degrees in the field of European social and economic history. He began his career as a teacher and university administrator at Stanford University. Before joining ADU, Professor Hochstettler was President of the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi, and prior to that, he served as Provost at the American University of Sharjah. He was the founding Vice President for Academic Affairs of Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany, and later served as President of the elite Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, USA. He was most recently Commissioner at the Commission for Academic Accreditation within the UAE Ministry of Education.
Commenting on this key appointment, the Chancellor said:” With Professor Hochstettler’s arrival, I have the strongest leadership team in higher education in the country. We need this to address the challenges facing higher education and to continue on our mission to grow, enhance our reputation and to educate graduates ready to take on leadership roles in their chosen career. Tom’s experience of leadership in three continents and his extensive international networks will strengthen our connections globally. I know that the Chairman and members of the University’s Board of Directors are as delighted to have appointed Tom as I am.”
Abu Dhabi University is committed to improving the level of excellence in the service it provides its students and stakeholders. ADU continues its campaign to attract top-level academic expertise from around the world, striving in all it does to safeguard its commitment to excellence and to fulfil efficiently and effectively its mission to prepare graduates for fulfilling and dynamic careers. ADU prepares its students through transformative world-class education, enriched by innovative and flexible programs, international networks, applied research, and impactful engagement with business, industry, and the broader community. ADU has also recently appointed Professor Barry O’Mahony as new dean to lead the College of Business, as well as Professor Wassim Almaoui as the Dean of the College of Health Sciences.