I am a proud alumnus of AUD. One thing I learned from my faculty at AUD was that I could dream as big as I wanted to and with the right approach, I could fulfill my dreams. My research interest in Vaastushastra started at AUD when I wrote an undergraduate dissertation under the supervision of Dr. Smith. Design presentations and juried responses gave me the confidence to be able to present to an audience and be able to convey my ideas succulently. During my final year, my sister feel extremely ill and the faculty at AUD supported me through this tough time. My graduation was very special because President William Jefferson Clinton was the commencement speaker and I have a precious picture with him and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Soon after AUD, I pursued my Master’s in Architecture from Academy of Art University in San Francisco. When I returned, I was speaking to faculty at AUD who mentioned that AUD was looking to hire some part-time faculty. I started teaching part-time while practicing as an architect during which time I realized that I was passionate about teaching. I decided to undertake my PhD and spoke to my mentor Dr. Smith about my interest in Vaastusahstra and finding a university that would be appropriate for such a topic. Today, I have successfully completed my PhD from Cardiff University and I currently heading undergraduate and postgraduate interior design programs at Heriot- Watt University. AUD has been a steppingstone for my journey, and I continue to stay in touch with the wonderful teaching team there for various collaborative initiatives.