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
Abu Dhabi University Celebrates 1,516 Graduates from across 50 programs
In reflection with its academic excellence, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) hosted its 17th graduation ceremony and celebrated 1,516 graduates from the class of 2023. The University has welcomed family and friends who celebrated a total of 839 undergraduate and 677 postgraduate students that have walked for their graduation. Since its establishment in 2003, ADU has graduated over 26,000 students, many of whom have achieved prominent positions in several sectors and industries at national, regional and global levels.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of ADU, Dr. Hamad Odhabi, Vice Chancellor of ADU, and Professor Philip Hamill, ADU’s Associate Provost for Research and Academic Development as well as Salem Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Community Relations at ADU. In addition to the Deans of ADU colleges, faculty members, administration staff and parents of the graduates.
H.E. Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman and Founder of ADU, expressed his pride in the ongoing milestones ADU has achieved since its establishment, and emphasized the University’s commitment to further strengthening its position as one of the leading universities locally and internationally. Dr. Al Dhaheri highlighted ADU’s dedication to equipping its graduates with the tools and resources they need to become influential leaders of the future, in addition to providing them with an innovative educational environment that further improves creativity in accordance with the best scientific and practical practices. These efforts align with the University’s strategy, which aims to develop competent and successful national cadres capable of contributing to the National Development Agenda and the UAE Centennial 2071.
On the side-line of the graduation ceremony, Professor Ghassan, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) Chancellor, said: “We are proud to be graduating the class of 2023, ADU’s 17th class, which reflects the University’s deep commitment to consistently improving its academic programs and providing world-class education and experience to students. At ADU, we offer our students the needed knowledge and skillset to excel in the career market and become the leaders of the future. The University’s excellence continues to be recognized by international institutions as we have been recently ranked in 1st place across the teaching pillar in the UAE, according to the Times Higher Education 2023 Rankings (THE). Similar recognitions not only translate our efforts but drive us to accelerate excellence and improve academic outcomes for students today and generations to come.”
Prof. Ghassan added: “In a rapidly changing world, holding a degree alone is no longer enough – students must acquire the essential attributes—creativity, problem-solving, leadership and resilience to thrive and make a difference. Our institution's world-class standing, prestigious accreditations and global partnerships reflect the value of your degree.”
The valedictorian of ADU’s class of 2023 said during the ceremony: “Our journey at ADU will forever remain etched in our hearts. This esteemed institution has not only imparted knowledge and innovation but also nurtured our talents and enriched our experiences. We take great honor in the education and wisdom bestowed upon us by this exceptional institution and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the faculty, staff, parents and all who have played a part in this blessed journey.”
The valedictorian added: “As we embark on the next chapter of our lives, let us not forget the importance of giving back to our community and making a positive impact on our society. ADU has instilled in us a profound sense of responsibility and the values of community service. Let us strive to be compassionate and empathetic individuals who actively contribute to the betterment of our communities, our nation and the world at large. Together, we can create a legacy of change and leave an enduring impact that reflects the values and teachings we have received at ADU.”
During the graduation ceremony, a short film was screened showcasing the progress of ADU’s successful academic journey. At the end of the ceremony, ADU’s Chancellor and Deans handed the graduates their certificates and took a group photo to mark the closing of the ceremony.
As ADU continues to strengthen its position in the region, the University is constantly ranked among the top three universities in the UAE for holding prestigious accreditations at institutional, college or subject level. Additionally, ADU was recognized by THE World University rankings last year where it was ranked in third place nationwide and first for the teaching pillar. Alongside, the University’s business and economics subjects, which include accountancy & finance and business & management, were ranked first in the UAE and joint second in the Arab region by THE rankings.