Alumni Success Stories
"My degree at UOWD deepened my understanding of critical thinking, research, and effective communication – skills that have been invaluable in my role as a journalist." - Nour Al Hosni
Nour Al Hosni, a Syrian-Hungarian journalist and presenter, has built a thriving career in the media industry, rising to prominence as a reporter for AlArabiya, one of the leading TV channels in the Arab world.
"Success is about turning a vision into reality and making a meaningful impact." - Duygu Yilmaz Koksal
Duygu Yilmaz Koksal, a Turkish entrepreneur and co-founder of Saledo, is making a social impact through her women-led initiative that produces sustainable and innovative food products like green banana flour.
“Entrepreneurship is not easy, but when I feel like giving up, I remind myself of the impact I have on others, and that gives me strength to keep going.” - Nooran Albannay
Nooran Albannay, an Emirati entrepreneur, CEO, and founder of Coffee Architecture, has charted an unconventional path from her engineering career to the coffee industry.
“The knowledge and diverse multicultural environment at UOWD were pivotal in shaping my professional ethos and leadership qualities.” - Abdalla Ibrahim Abdalla Mohammed Al Darmaki
Abdalla Ibrahim Abdalla Mohammed Al Darmaki’s journey from student to founder is nothing short of remarkable. He graduated in 2009 with a Master’s in Human Resource Management from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), and today he leads the Strategic Centre for Consultancy & Training.
“The skills I gained through my UOWD program were crucial in securing my first management position in a governmental organisation in Abu Dhabi” - Wardah Harharah
With a 20-year tenure in global leadership across aviation, tech and luxury retail industries, Wardah Harharah is the visionary Founder and CEO of The Powerhouse Project, passionately championing women's empowerment in the corporate world.
"The MBA program was more than just learning from books; it was about understanding how these concepts play out in the actual business world"- Mei Wang
Originally from China and having lived in the UAE for 12 years, Mei is the founder and driving force behind a thriving business consulting firm in Dubai.
“The collaborative spirit and practical experiences at UOWD instilled in me a passion for innovation and excellence, driving my pursuit of diverse leadership roles.” - Ali Mohammed Almuwaijei
Currently serving as the Vice President of Governance, Compliance, and Enterprise Agility at DEWA, Ali's career is a roadmap of success in competitive fields like financial and quality management.
“I have to praise the quality of education that I received at UOWD as I am still benefiting from it today. And 13 years later, I still meet regularly with the friends I made there.”- Shurooq AlBanna
With over a decade of experience in the humanitarian sector, spanning across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, Shurooq AlBanna is now empowering the next generation through mentoring, consulting, and writing.
“With science and knowledge, we can grow as citizens and help our country take on new challenges and technological advancements" - Esra Saleh
My education at UOWD has given me the confidence to expand beyond my field. Since then, my learning journey has never ended, and it will continue throughout my life, as this is the key to any success.
“With what I’ve learnt at UOWD, I can now call myself an expert in growing any business model, and this is truly a delightful achievement.” – Jurana Yousuf
Having expanded her expertise in global business practices during her MBA studies at UOWD, Jurana is now positioned in a senior strategic management role in the flourishing e-commerce sector.

Open Day
Attend our next Open Day on Saturday, 19 April 2025.
Join our experts to learn more about our degrees and how you can enrol at UOWD.