Introduction: A Celebration of Excellence and Achievement
Middlesex University Dubai’s Class of 2025 marked a defining chapter in the University’s history, not only for its scale but for the depth of achievement, diversity of journeys, and the voices chosen to represent it. Graduating across two ceremonies held on 9 November 2025 and 8 February 2026 at the Atlantis Hotel, Dubai, the Class of 2025 took part in the largest graduation celebrations the University has ever hosted.
At the centre of those ceremonies were six valedictorians, each selected for their academic excellence, sustained commitment to their studies, impact within the University community, and strong recommendations from faculty. Each valedictorian delivered an emotive and reflective address on the day of their ceremony, speaking not only for themselves, but on behalf of thousands of graduates and their families.
While the quotations shared here are not excerpts from those speeches, they offer insight into the journeys, motivations and ambitions that shaped their time at Middlesex University Dubai.
Tiara Lopez: Accounting and Finance Excellence
For Tiara Lopez, graduating with a BA Honours in Accounting and Finance, the university experience extended far beyond the classroom. Reflecting on her time at MDX Dubai, she speaks about opportunities she “never imagined would come my way”, from co-authoring a published article on RegTech as an undergraduate to completing all ACCA papers before graduation and achieving Affiliate status by June 2025.
Her academic success was matched by a strong commitment to peer learning and community-building. As a Student Learning Assistant, Student Research Assistant and leader of the Financial Modelling Club, Tiara worked across foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA cohorts. “Some of my most memorable moments came from helping foundation maths students prepare for their assessments,” she reflects, noting that education, for her, became as much about confidence and belief as it was about grades. She has since progressed to postgraduate study at the National University of Singapore, ranked among the world’s top universities.
Sohan Prasad: Law and Advocacy
That same sense of purpose and representation shaped the journey of Sohan Prasad, who graduated with an LLB Honours in Law. Selected to represent the University at the 31st Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, Sohan describes the experience, often referred to as the “Olympics of Law”, as both humbling and transformative, particularly as a second-year student.
Throughout his degree, Sohan was guided by a personal principle of “representing the unrepresented”. Whether volunteering with the Pro Bono Clinic, educating school students across the UAE on consumer law, or serving as a Student Voice Leader in high-level faculty meetings, he consistently sought to advocate for others. His professional development was further strengthened through a highly competitive legal internship with PepsiCo, and he now prepares to qualify as a solicitor, with ambitions spanning Corporate M&A, Real Estate and Technology law.
Akshvin Utesh: Information Technology Innovation
For Akshvin Utesh, who graduated with a BSc Honours in Information Technology, the journey to becoming valedictorian began with the uncertainty of arriving in a new country. Looking back, he describes MDX Dubai as “a home of endless opportunities”, that helped him develop not only technical expertise, but also confidence, leadership and adaptability.
“Middlesex has shaped me into who I am today,” he reflects, noting that his experience transformed his personal and professional trajectory in ways he never anticipated when he first arrived in Dubai.
Richard Daniel: MBA Leadership and Finance
The February 2026 ceremony marked several important milestones, including the University’s first-ever graduation celebration for the Daytime MBA programme and the introduction of its first valedictorian from that cohort.
Richard Daniel, who completed the Daytime Master of Business Administration (Finance), describes his journey as one rooted in collective growth. During his studies, he ranked among the top performers in the London Stock Exchange Group Portfolio Competition across the MENA region and led a winning team in a strategic aviation industry challenge conducted by flydubai. Alongside these achievements, he served as an MBA Ambassador, supporting prospective and current students while strengthening his leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
“If this role is about representing our shared story,” he reflects, “I would be honoured to tell it with heart, humility, and a smile.”
Darezhan Polat: Executive MBA and Professional Growth
That sense of purpose and integration between academic study and professional life was also central to the experience of Darezhan Polat, who graduated with an Executive Master of Business Administration. Rather than separating study from work, Darezhan applied each module directly to real organisational challenges, gaining what she describes as clarity in decision-making and confidence in leadership.
“I expected to gain knowledge,” she reflects, “but I gained clarity.” Her journey stands as a powerful example of consistency, preparation and lifelong learning, and she now hopes to inspire other professionals, particularly women, to pursue advanced education and leadership roles.
Tanya Boudakian: Education Leadership and Lifelong Learning
Completing the group of valedictorians is Tanya Boudakian, who graduated with an MA in Education (Leadership and Management). Tanya’s journey reflects the reality of postgraduate study later in life, and the impact of combining academic rigour with lived professional experience. Alongside completing her degree, she won the Business Track at the MDX Research Competition for her dissertation and applied her research directly within a leadership role.
“Being a valedictorian at nearly 50 sends a message,” she reflects, “that our capacity to evolve doesn’t diminish with time, it deepens with experience.” Her work focused on leadership, empathy and community-building within multicultural educational environments, reinforcing her belief that meaningful impact begins with understanding and inclusion.
Conclusion: Six Journeys, One Defining Moment
Together, the valedictorians of the Class of 2025 represent six distinct journeys, disciplines and perspectives united by a shared commitment to excellence, contribution and growth. As Middlesex University Dubai continues to expand across programmes, campuses and communities, their stories stand as a powerful reflection of what it means to graduate not only with knowledge, but with purpose.
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