New council members to focus on creating a platform where KU alumni can stay connected with their alma mater

Khalifa University has established the KU Alumni Association, which is being led by a council of five highly accomplished KU alumni.

The alumni leaders represent all Khalifa University legacy institutes (KUSTAR, MI and PI), and a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The council hopes to nurture a platform where KU alumni are supported, given growth and networking opportunities, and importantly, stay connected to one another.

Here we introduce the new Council Members with some Q&As that reveal who they are, why they joined the council, and what their plans are for the KU Alumni Association.

Meera Al Mehairi, President, KU Alumni Association

Class of 2015, BSc in Mechanical Engineering

What is your current position?

I work as a Senior Inspection Engineer in the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, where my main task is to inspect nuclear power plants. In addition, I was recently given a more strategic role by being appointed as a board member for the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood. KU taught me how to manage time, work under pressure, and get things done no matter what, which are skills that have been essential to my professional development and growth.

Why is a KU Alumni Association important?

It will help facilitate and sustain a mutually advantageous network for KU Alumni and KU community as a whole.

Why did you want to be a member in the KU Alumni Association Council?

To give back and enable Alumni to benefit from and contribute to the University community.

How will you help and encourage KU alumni to stay connected with their alma mater?

By creating specific initiatives for them, consulting them in our upcoming projects, and engaging them more in the KU community.

Hamad Alaydaroos, Vice President, KU Alumni Association

Class of 2016, BSc in Mechanical Engineering

What is your profession?

Reactor Operator – Not Licensed / Barakah Youth Council Member in Nawah Energy Company. My job will enable me to be part of achieving the UAE 2021 Vision, Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision.

How did KU help you be prepared for this position?

Through taking a minor in Nuclear Engineering, it was a great foundation to prepare me to start my career in the nuclear industry.

How will you help and encourage KU alumni to stay connected with their alma mater?

Through developing online and on-campus services that meet the alumni needs.

Shefaa Mansour, Secretary/Treasurer, KU Alumni Association

Class of 2016, MSc in Water and Environmental

What do you do for a living?

I am currently working as a climate change & sustainability consultant at Ernst & Young (EY). Being a consultant is very exciting. My day at the office is never standard. I am constantly working on sustainability projects across different fields and sectors. This includes but is not limited to strategy planning and support, due diligence and scoring of prestigious UAE Awards, sustainability reporting and assurance, and social and environmental impact assessments.

Why did you want to be a member of the KU Alumni Association Council?

To give back to KU as an institute, demonstrate change and support the students & Alumni by creating a safe space that they can always come back to and guarantee they will be supported.

Why is a KU Alumni Association important?

It’s important to establish a designated committee that will carry on the legacy of our three institutes, maintaining continuity and building a strong global network.

What kind of social events or activities do you have planned for KU Alumni?

My focus will be on the social impact of KU, Alumni trainings, networking events, and connecting minds so as to build a global network with all our Alumni everywhere.

Amna AlHosani, Special Interest Chair, KU Alumni Association

Class of 2014, BSc in Electrical Engineering

What is your occupation?

I work in ADNOC Onshore as a Reservoir Engineer. It is a branch of petroleum engineering. Basically what I do is to monitor the fluid flow of the hydrocarbon (Oil/ Gas) in our reservoirs during the development and production, in order to obtain the highest economic recovery.

Why did you want to be a member in the KU Alumni Association Council?

I consider this as an opportunity to create a platform that rejoins our big family. I wanted to be part of that. As a member of the council, I would like to make that platform reachable for our fellow alumni to seek any help or service, or just to make it simple to rejoin them with their fellow alumni.

How will you help and encourage KU alumni to stay connected with their alma mater?

Being in a big family, the alumni association is here to make sure that our fellow alumni who seek help, get the right help and support. We are here to increase their sense of belonging and to provide a digital platform where they can check all our services (technical support, professional support, mentoring support, etc.), social events and annual gatherings.

What kind of events or activities do you have planned for KU Alumni?

As we are here to reconnect our fellow alumni, the KU Alumni Association Council has considered options which are applicable with the current situation of Covid-19. We are pleased to work on a couple of initiatives that place KU alumni at the forefront of the local and global community focusing on facilitating a robust and collaborative network.

Mohamed Al Ghalani, Special Interest Chair, KU Alumni Association

Class of 2017, MSc in Chemical Engineering

What is your current position at your company and how would you describe what you do?

I currently work as a Sustainability Strategy Specialist for Boeing. My work focuses on achieving the long term goals set by the aviation industry to make aviation more sustainable. This includes sustainable aviation fuels, carbon offsets, operational efficiency and improvise the fuel efficiency of the aircraft through design.

How did KU help you be prepared for this position?

My master’s thesis in KU focused on sustainable aviation fuels produced in the UAE from salt tolerant plants that grow in non-arable land. This paved the way for me to make connections with Boeing and eventually land my dream job.

Why did you want to be a member in the KU Alumni Association Council?

This is a great opportunity for me to give back my alma mater. KU has provided me with so many opportunities as a student and also as a graduate and I am thankful for that. During my time as a student I also served on the student council as president.

Why is a KU Alumni Association important and what are your plans for the Association?

It’s crucial for alumni to stay connected with their colleagues and university after graduation. The alumni association aims to make the voice of alumni heard and to keep them engaged. We have already come up with many plans on what we would like to achieve during our time as council members. Personally I’m looking forward to organizing an alumni dinner event in the near future once circumstances allow.