Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
Young people are increasingly choosing Abu Dhabi not only as a place to study, but as a city where they can build careers, start businesses and experience the best quality of life.
Students and young professionals living in the capital said Abu Dhabi’s safety, international environment, cultural diversity and growing focus on technology and entrepreneurship are among the reasons they see the city as a place where they can grow personally and professionally.
Business Environment
For Mahmoud Khan from India, a Bachelor of Business Administration student at Abu Dhabi University, the city’s business environment was an important factor in choosing where to study.
“The reason why I chose Abu Dhabi as a place for my studies is because the place is very vibrant, fast-paced, and the opportunities that it has to offer are many,” Khan told Aletihad.
Having lived in Abu Dhabi for the past six years, Khan said he has also been able to experience different cultures, the emirate’s heritage and its entertainment offering.
He added that Abu Dhabi’s business ecosystem is particularly valuable as he looks towards his future career.
“The great business ecosystem that Abu Dhabi has created will be very helpful for my future career,” he added.
Safety and Openness
Zhuldyz Akbanova from Kazakhstan, who is studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Fintech at Abu Dhabi University, said safety and openness were among the main reasons she chose the capital.
“I chose Abu Dhabi for my studies because it is a very welcoming and safe place, I really like the culture here. It is also a very international place, so I can meet people from different backgrounds,” Akbanova told Aletihad.
She said student life extends beyond the classroom, with opportunities to take part in exhibitions, competitions, events and other activities.
“My university life is very active, and the education system is supportive and practical because we can apply what we learn in real life situations,” Akbanova noted.
Focus on Technology
For Ziyue Zhang, a 19-year-old Chinese undergraduate student at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi’s focus on technology was a major attraction.
Ziyue, who is studying for a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence Engineering, said she wanted to be in an environment where she would be surrounded by people researching and working in AI every day.
“Abu Dhabi is a great place to do that, given how much the city is investing in technology and research,” Ziyue told Aletihad.
Safety has also played an important role in her experience of living in the capital. “As a young woman, I really value how safe I feel here, I can walk around the city at night and feel comfortable and independent.”
She said Abu Dhabi’s international environment has also helped broaden her perspective, both inside and outside the university.
Her studies are highly practical, with students taking part in projects, hackathons and entrepreneurship activities.
Ziyue also noted that one class involves developing startup ideas and pitching them to investors, allowing students to test what they learn in a real setting.
One of her most memorable experiences in Abu Dhabi was Ramadan. “It was my first time experiencing it, and I really enjoyed being part of the iftars and seeing how much of the community comes together during that month,” she said.
A Place for Young Entrepreneurs
For Noureen Mahran, a 25-year-old architect from Egypt, Abu Dhabi offered the opportunity to move from an idea to building a business.
Mahran recently moved to the capital to establish her own design studio, focusing on architecture, interiors and spatial experiences.
“I chose Abu Dhabi because I feel like it genuinely gives young people the opportunity to create something of their own,” Mahran told Aletihad.
She said the city provides systems, opportunities and an environment that make it easier for young entrepreneurs to turn ideas into businesses while maintaining a strong quality of life.
“The city is ambitious, but it still doesn’t overwhelm you,” she said, noting that as an architect, she is particularly drawn to the way Abu Dhabi has been planned and how different parts of the city have developed their own identity.
“The combination of opportunity, creativity and quality of life is what makes Abu Dhabi particularly attractive to young entrepreneurs,” Mahran said.
