UAE: Student killed days before graduation, grieving mother accepts PhD
A moment of celebration turned into one of profound grief when engineer Nadia Ayman Nasif tragically passed away in a car accident just days before she was due to receive her PhD from the University of Sharjah.
Her mother, Engineer Farah Abdulrahim Al Hasani, accepted the degree on Nadia's behalf during the graduation ceremony, surrounded by an audience that stood in solemn tribute. Applause echoed through the hall, mingled with tears and prayers, as her name was called with the honorific "may God have mercy on her". The ceremony was a bittersweet culmination of a dream Nadia had worked tirelessly to achieve.
According to a report by Emarat Al Youm, Nadia had promised her mother that she would one day hand her the doctoral certificate herself. Although her life was cut short, her family fulfilled her final wish by accepting the degree in her memory.
Her mother shared how she entered the hall alone, the same hall they had shared from Nadia's undergraduate days, feeling her daughter's presence with every step. "She was with me," she said, recalling the overwhelming emotion as she climbed the stage to accept the award.
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Nadia's father, Ayman Walid Nasif, expressed his pride and heartbreak. "It was a moment filled with unbearable pain and indescribable pride," he said, admitting he couldn't bring himself to walk the stage. Instead, he watched his wife accept the weight of the family's sorrow and pride.
Nadia's sister, journalist Shahd Nasif, described her as "the backbone of the family", adding that Nadia had mentored her from a young age and even taught her in elementary school.
Her brother, Engineer Mohammed Nasif recalled Nadia's anticipation of the ceremony. "She made it feel like Eid in our home," he said. "When her name was called, and the audience rose in prayer and applause, the moment became one I will never forget." He added, "Her recognition didn't end with her passing. It extended beyond, as she truly deserved."
Nadia leaves behind a three-year-old son, whose future will carry the echoes of her voice and the legacy of her ambition. Known for her academic excellence and remarkable perseverance, she completed her bachelor's, master's, and PhD in structural engineering at the University of Sharjah over 12 years, all with honors.
Her doctoral research focused on fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) concrete systems and integrating artificial intelligence for structural safety monitoring. Despite being early in her academic career, Nadia published 12 peer-reviewed research papers, eight of which were ranked in the top Q1 journals globally. Her research citation impact stood at 1.74 — 74 per cent above the global average in her field.
She had recently been accepted for a postdoctoral research opportunity at the University of Dubai, where she planned to lead innovative projects in AI-driven structural monitoring, a vision she was deeply passionate about but never got the chance to see realised.
Nadia's passing is a loss to her family and the academic and engineering communities. However, her story continues to inspire, reminding students and professionals alike that ambition leaves an enduring legacy despite life's harshest trials.
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