The Department of Management Science and Engineering at Khalifa University of Science and Technology successfully hosted its Annual Gathering 2026 on 20 October at the Khalifa Innovation Center (KIC), bringing together more than 100 guests, including students, alumni, faculty members, industry professionals, and advisory board members, to celebrate the Department’s achievements, recognize outstanding contributions, and strengthen connections across its academic and professional community.
Held under the theme “Connect, Inspire, Build Tomorrow Together,” the gathering highlighted the Department’s continued commitment to academic excellence, student development, industry engagement, and community building. Organized in collaboration with the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Student Chapter and the Students Advancement and Admission Committee (SAAC), the event featured an engaging program of industry insights, alumni experiences, student achievements, recognition awards, and networking opportunities.
A key highlight was the participation of industry professionals who shared insights into emerging career opportunities and the evolving demands of the engineering and management sectors. Guest speakers included Dr. Souraj Salah from AD Ports Group, Ms. Nuran Yildirim from EDGE Group, and Mr. Omeir Ahmed from Strata. Their contributions provided students with valuable perspectives on professional development, industry expectations, and career pathways.
The gathering also welcomed distinguished alumni, including Ms. Hala Alnuaimi from TAQA Transmission, Mr. Hamid Albastaki, and Mr. Yousif Alhammadi, who shared their academic and professional journeys, offering practical advice and inspiration to current students. Adding an international perspective, Yomna Sweidan joined virtually from National Taiwan University to share her experiences as an exchange student in Taiwan, highlighting the value of international academic mobility and cross-cultural learning.
An important part of the gathering was the recognition of outstanding student achievements and contributions to the Department. Yomna Sweidan received the Undergraduate Student Spotlight Award, while Pratyush Kumar Patro was recognized with the Best Graduate Research Paper Award. The Best Senior Design Project Award was presented to Marwa Almulla, Mohamed Alnaqbi, Rashid Alhammadi, and Shamma Alshehhi, recognizing their teamwork, innovation, and application of engineering knowledge to practical challenges.
The Department also recognized individuals whose dedication and contributions have supported its continued development. Dr. Andrei Sleptchenko received the Outstanding Department Service Award, while Special Service Awards were presented to two distinguished members of the Department’s Advisory Board: Dr. Samer Ellahham from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Mr. Amer Kakish from Ittihad Investment, in appreciation of their valuable guidance, continued support, and commitment to strengthening the Department’s academic and industry connections.
Reflecting on the significance of the gathering, Dr. Mecit Can Emre Simsekler, Chair of the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Khalifa University, said:
“Our Annual Gathering is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our Department and, more importantly, the people behind its success. Bringing together students, alumni, faculty, industry partners, and advisory board members reflects the strong community we are building and our shared commitment to excellence. We are particularly proud to recognize our outstanding students and colleagues, while expressing our appreciation to our industry partners and advisory board members for their continued support. I would also like to sincerely thank the IISE Student Chapter and the Students Advancement and Admission Committee (SAAC) for their dedication and efforts in organizing this gathering and bringing our community together.”
The event also featured interactive systems engineering activities, team challenges, and opportunities for informal engagement, concluding with a networking dinner that encouraged further dialogue and collaboration among participants.
The successful Annual Gathering 2026 reinforced the Department of Management Science and Engineering’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, connected, and forward-looking academic community. By celebrating excellence, recognizing valuable contributions, and strengthening relationships with alumni and industry partners, the gathering reflected the Department’s vision of developing future engineering leaders, advancing innovation, and creating meaningful impact for society and industry.
