CUD Alumnus, Madhulika Karthi, BBA Accounting and Finance
Madhulika secures a role at one of UAE's leading assurance and advisory firms
“I am currently pursuing an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) because my degree from CUD enabled me to receive certain exemptions.” CUD Alumnus, Madhulika Karthi, Intern, Grant Thornton
Six months into Madhulika’s journey after graduating from CUD, she quickly secured an Audit Intern role at Grant Thornton in the United Arab Emirates. During her busy work schedule, we enjoyed a cup of coffee with her:
Why did you choose to study at CUD? I chose to study at CUD because of the quality of the academia, as well as the learning environment and the active student life. The previous years’ graduation ceremonies have been spectacular! Moreover, my prospects were aligned to what I needed in my qualification from CUD.
How did the professors impact your career after graduation? My professor’s constant support and motivation in guiding and directing me on my career path and job options has helped me make the right choices – both personally and professionally.
What did you enjoy at CUD? CUD’s campus and learning environment is so supportive and positive. I enjoyed studying at CUD. The student life helped to develop my social skills. I had the opportunity to host and participate in several grand events at CUD because I was Business Club President and also Student Council Treasurer.
Tell us about your journey: I am currently pursuing an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) because my degree from CUD enabled me to receive certain exemptions. I was recognized as the prize winner in the United Arab Emirates for the Financial Reporting exam in September 2022. My next goal is to pursue CFE and become a Forensic Accountant.
What advice would you give to students? Enjoy student life to the maximum! Embrace every opportunity. Being at the university was one of the best times of my life.
CUD Alumnus, Alan George, Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies
Alan George is awarded the 2022 Construction Week Award for Rising Star of the Year
“It is truly an honour to win the category of 'Rising Star of the Year'. This has been a culmination of key learnings & the ability to add value across many design verticals.” Alan George, Architect, Orange Design Group, UAE.
Alan is a dynamic architect at Orange Design Group in UAE and has also been awarded a golden visa for the architecture category for contributing to build the United Arab Emirates environment. He is an alumnus, and closely affiliated with the Canadian University of Dubai – joining the Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design as an Advisory Board Member. He is an active participant bridging the connections between academia and professional practice. We spent a few valuable minutes with Alan about his experiences.
Why did you to choose to study at CUD? CUD provided genuine value via the architecture program. The course offered a blend of theory & practical design studios. The campus location made accessibility & commuting an easy task. Not to mention, CUD offered a seamless transition to completing your degree in Canada. It was a no brainer!
How did your CUD professors impact your professional career? My professors at CUD had a profound impact on me personally and professionally. They were able to provide me with a balance between academia excellence and the reality of the field of architecture. The professors exceeded my expectations.
What did you enjoy about CUD? What I enjoyed most at CUD was being in the company of fellow students who have now become industry peers. Bonds forged within the design studio are lifelong. We remain in contact & help elevate each other along our professional journey. We used to spend our time discussing courses & projects on campus – and now we discuss suppliers, contractors, clients, timelines, budgets & everything in between.
Tell us about your professional journey: I began my professional practice with an engineering firm based in Dubai. As a fresh graduate, I learned quickly & within a year I was able to deliver a massive logistics facility on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. A few years later, I joined the team delivering the masterplan & key projects for Mina Rashid, in Dubai. This was a massive learning curve & I enjoyed it thoroughly!
In parallel, I have always kept one foot in academia. I have been part of external juries, given lectures & worked part-time at several architecture universities across the UAE. Over the last 4 years, I have been a part of the Orange Design Group. I have had the privilege of being part of numerous bespoke, award-winning projects within the residential & hospitality sector.
Earlier this year, the culmination of my work was recognized by the Government of Dubai & I was awarded a golden visa for the same. A few weeks ago, I picked up an award for ‘Rising Star of the year’ at the Construction Week Awards 2022. It has been a truly fantastic year. I cannot wait to crack on into 2023!
How has your qualification from CUD helped your future progression? It helped me stay curious! The design studio enabled me to think beyond the ordinary – to push design further & really explore grand possibilities. The Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design drove my tenacity & taught me how to stand by my principles & design thinking. Moreover, CUD taught me how to be open to collaboration. This combination is undoubtedly facilitating my success.
In hindsight – what advice would you have given your student self? Say yes to any/all opportunities! Architects tend to be interested in many fields & topics over time. Pursuing an opportunity that is not architecture should not be looked down upon. In fact, I would argue, diversity creates holistic designers. Every opportunity is a learning experience which nudges us closer to our goals.
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