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.
Esraa Abuelrub
Graduate Bachelor of Architecture
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.
Shehab Al Hashemi
Mass Communication and MBA Graduate
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.
Abid Abdul Azeez
Mechanical Engineering Graduate
"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."
Salama Al Meraikhi
Graduate of the Bachelor of Law (Arabic)
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!
Nada Ali
Graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (English)
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.
Sven Ivak
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Student
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.
Sara Kittaneh
Bachelor of Business Administration Graduate
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.
Huda Tarek Sliman
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
“Prevention is better than cure!”
"I'm currently working in health education focusing on giving lifestyle advice to people with type 2 diabetes. As part of my program, I took an internship with the Department of Health and this experience helped me secure this position with Daman shortly after graduation.
ADU has given me so many opportunities. With the encouragement of my professors, I started the Public Health Club and held the position of Club President for a year. Through the Club, we attended numerous events and conferences related to our field, gaining a lot of practical experience along the way.
I've experienced several proud moments during my time at ADU including being honored in the Dean's List for my high GPA. My high point, however, was being appointed as a UAE Public Health Ambassador through the Health Authority Abu Dhabi's (HAAD) Public Health Ambassador Program. This aims to engage communities in healthy life choices which is, I believe, my vocation in life."
Maram Hijjah
Bachelor of Science in Public Health Graduate
ADU’s Architecture Students Showcase Their talent in A Global Architecture Exhibition
ADU is participating in the Fifth Biennial Architecture Exhibition hosted by the European Cultural Centre. Titled ‘Time Space Existence 2021’, the exhibition is taking place in Venice, Italy from May 22nd to November 21st this year, parallel to the Venice Biennale of Architecture.
ADU is participating in the Fifth Biennial Architecture Exhibition hosted by the European Cultural Centre. Titled ‘Time Space Existence 2021’, the exhibition is taking place in Venice, Italy from May 22nd to November 21st this year, parallel to the Venice Biennale of Architecture. Held every two years, this year’s edition of the architecture exhibition features projects from around the world that focus on water urbanism, green and resilient cities, development of new and natural materials, construction systems and methods.
A team of students and faculty from the Department of Architecture and Design at ADU’s College of Engineering will be showcasing their project called “Abu Dhabi’s Vertical Studio”, a curated exhibition that aims to re-think Abu Dhabi’s emerging economic and environmental resilience. ADU’s team will be among 212 international architects, artists, universities, urban planners and creative professionals from over 51 countries.
Led by Nadia Mounajjed and Apostolos Kyriazis, Assistant Professors from the Department of Architecture and Design, the ADU team consists of two research assistants, Aya Dibajeh and Ahmed Alawawda, and 21 students from ADU. “Abu Dhabi’s Vertical Studio” is a call for cities to reflect on areas of improvement in terms of urban and architecture morphologies and identify and address opportunities regarding social inclusion, sustainability and the cultural context. It is an architectural inquiry, a critique of the individuality of the skyscraper – as currently perceived in the region. It explores the interaction of the tower with the street and with the horizontally sprawling cityscape. It explores modular architectural elements and forms that adhere to the local context without attaching to vernacular stereotypes. The project funded by the Abu Dhabi Award for Research Excellence (AARE) 2019 is now showcased in the historic Palazzo Bembo in Venice, Italy.
Commenting on the participation, Nadia Mounajjed, Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture and Design at ADU, said, “This exhibition is an incredible opportunity for the Department of Architecture and Design at ADU and for our students. It provides a creative venue to present our reflections and design ideas on the city of Abu Dhabi and its architecture. It also offers a great moment to exchange knowledge and experiences. We come to this exhibition with the intention to learn and to engage because we see it as a unique platform for the crossings of ideas that emerge from different design disciplines and practices. Despite the many challenges that we have faced during the pandemic, we are very happy that the event is finally taking place and that we are part of it."
Apostolos Kyriazis, Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture and Design at ADU, said, “What makes our participation at the ECC’s “Time-Space-Existence” Architecture Exhibition in Venice special is the fact that our voice will have a global reach. Although the Department of Architecture and Design is young and small-sized, its achievements in terms of awarded students’ work, international research and high-esteemed accreditation are relatively remarkable. Our students, the University and the city of Abu Dhabi must take full pride on this exceptional moment."
The participants at the Fifth Biennial Architecture Exhibition are encouraged to infuse their own culture, mindset, and personal and professional perspectives into a project that contributes to the wellbeing of communities while re-defining the contemporary world and imagining a different future for living environments. The projects are now showcased in some of the most ancient and historic venues in Venice, including Palazzo Mora, Palazzo Bembo, and Giardini della Marinaressa.
Launched in 2010, the Bachelor of Architecture program at ADU introduces its students to the world of architecture and design and helps them tap into their creativity and develop their skills in art and design as well as acquiring the necessary technical and environmental knowledge. The program has earned the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) accreditation, the highest accolade for architecture programs.
Founded in 2002, the European Cultural Centre has organized and hosted over 50 contemporary art, design, and architecture exhibitions worldwide, as well as hundreds of meetings, workshops, symposiums, and other cultural events. Since 1895, The Venice Biennale has been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Today, the Biennale has an attendance of over 500,000 visitors at the Art Exhibition. In the 1930s new festivals were born that focused on music, cinema and theater (the Venice Film Festival in 1932 was the first film festival in history). In 1980 the first International Architecture Exhibition took place.