All set to take on the world

Shaikh Mohammed shook hands with and distributed the diplomas to the graduating students and congratulated them on their success.

By Staff Reporter

Published: Tue 12 May 2015, 1:33 PM

Last updated: Thu 25 Jun 2015, 7:51 PM

Shaikh Mohammed handing over her diploma to Fatma Al Janahi at AUD Graduation Ceremony held at Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai on Sunday. — KT photo by Leslie Pableo

Dubai — At least 400 graduates posed for pictures as they received American-accredited degrees in the fields of Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Communication and Information and Interior Design on Sunday evening at an event attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The ceremony was held by the American University in Dubai (AUD) at the Dubai World Trade Centre to mark the 18th Commencement.

Family members and friends of the new graduates cheered them on as they received their degrees.

AUD’s executive vice-president Elias Bou Saab welcomed Shaikh Mohammed and thanked him for his support to the university for the past 20 years, saying that over 5,000 students have graduated from the university since its establishment, including 1,500 who benefited from a scholarship granted by Shaikh Mohammed.

The keynote speaker, Sara Ganim, a CNN correspondent based in New York and a Pulitzer Prize winner, presented her journey in the field of media and the difficulties she had to go through when she started her career at the age of 24. —reporters@khaleejtimes.com

Khaleej Times asked three fresh graduates of AUD about their plans for the future

FILM MAKER IN THE MAKING

Omar Haider, 23, from Pakistan, Economics

“My short term plan is to land a good job, network and connect to people to grow myself, earn some money to pursue my long term plan, which is all about filming. I’ve always love filming and my dream is to become a film director and make movies, even though I studied Economics, I want to earn enough money to make a decent film to enter film festivals and competitions, and at the same time build my filming skills in making the movies and also put myself in filming school. It will take years to perfect, but dreams you love are worth the wait once you grab on to it.

STUDYING FURTHER

Jalal Al Lami, 20, Iraq, Mechanical Engineering

“I will be pursuing an MSc in Mechanical Engineering at University College London (UCL) later this year, building on the solid academic foundation AUD provided me with”.

A memory he will keep with him: “Marching with friends in our graduation gowns, seeing the tears of joy in the eyes of parents, and receiving the diploma from His Highness are memories I will never forget”.

INTERNSHIP AHEAD

Haroon Tahir, 20, from Pakistan, Economics

“My plans for the future are to start an internship at a marketing research firm which I’m really excited about.

Shaikh Mohammed congratulated me as he gave me a firm handshake on stage. His vigour and enthusiasm is really inspiring and motivating. The main memory I took from the graduation was that of getting on stage and receiving such a warm congratulations from the Sheikh and the guest speaker, Sarah Ganim. Also, seeing the happiness and enthusiasm on my friends and peers’ faces as we threw our caps in the air is a moment I will never forget”.