MBZUAI community comes together for Alumni Suhoor

MBZUAI has hosted its annual Alumni Suhoor, bringing together graduates, faculty, staff, and leadership for an evening focused on connection and alumni engagement.  

Held at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, Beachside Terrace, during the second week of Ramadan, the gathering offered an opportunity for members of the MBZUAI community to reconnect, share updates, and explore how alumni can play a more active role in the University’s future.   

The evening was opened by Joni Cholwich – Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, and Acting Vice President of National Engagement and Outreach. 

“Our alumni are among MBZUAI’s greatest strengths,” she said. “In an incredibly short span of time, MBZUAI’s alumni are already making their mark across academia, industry, and government, and we are proud of their achievements. Our Ramadan Suhoor reminds us that the lifelong connections formed at the University don’t end at graduation. They evolve from values of generosity and purpose into partnerships, collaborations, and a shared commitment to what we can achieve together.”

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Alkuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, also offered a few words of welcome to the event, which gave alumni the opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and faculty while also meeting newer members of the community. Conversations reflected the diverse paths that MBZUAI graduates have taken since completing their studies, from research and entrepreneurship to roles in the public and private sectors.  

During the evening, Rawdha Almeraikhi, Assistant Vice President of National Engagement and Outreach, presented the growth and future ambitions of the alumni community, offering a preview of the department’s strategic direction. Khadija El Jachi, Head of Alumni Relations, also introduced the newly revamped Alumni Advisory Board – a key milestone for MBZUAI’s alumni – designed to formalize alumni contributions to engagement strategies and further strengthen the University’s global network. 

The evening concluded with an interactive networking session, where attendees shared brief “elevator pitch” introductions about their work and aspirations, sparking new connections and potential collaborations.  

 As MBZUAI continues to grow, its alumni network is playing an increasingly important role in extending the University’s impact beyond campus.