Fatima
Ali

Fatima Ali is a Biomedical Engineering student from the United Arab Emirates. Rather than opting for a traditional placement, she has wholeheartedly embraced every opportunity for personal and professional development that NTU has to offer. As Fatima progresses into the next chapter, her journey reminds us that with determination and an open heart, the possibilities are truly endless.

Fatima was drawn to NTU because of its modern facilities and the breath of experience it offers in one course:

Fatima: I chose to do this course because it combines my interests in medicine, engineering, and innovation and I chose NTU because all of the engineering facilities here are very new and modern. NTU was also awarded Modern University of the Year back in 2023.

Like many international students, she faced the daunting task of adapting to a new country and culture:

Fatima: Personally, moving countries and adjusting to the completely new environment, people and behaviours was really challenging.

Despite the initial fears, Fatima discovered that making friends and settling into university life was not as difficult as she had anticipated:

Fatima: When I started, I practically had no friends, like most of us at university, and I anticipated it to be very difficult for me to make friends  to my introverted self but I learnt the key is to put yourself out there, be positive and friendly and smile! It’s important to remember everyone is on the same boat and trust me, people aren’t as judge as you think.

Fatima's academic journey has been nothing short of phenomenal:

Fatima: My experience has been phenomenal. I study what I love, and I have amazing lecturers. There are so many opportunities to grow, gain experience, have fun, and make memories. Additionally, there is so much support to prepare for professional life. I think my highlight would be the Grand Challenge. It happens during the first and second year; we get to work with colleagues from either our senior or junior years and from different disciplines of engineering to explore and find a solution to a real-world problem within the theme of the year. We have experts from the industry judge the projects, give us feedback, and we win prizes. It's also a massive networking opportunity.

When we asked what concept or part of her studies Fatima has found especially fascinating:

Fatima: One concept in my studies I find especially fascinating is the development of advanced medical devices and technologies. The idea of creating devices that can diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions is incredibly compelling to me. I’m particularly intrigued by wearable health monitors and implantable devices. What excites me most is the real-world impact these technologies can have on patients' lives. The ability to save lives through engineering solutions is profoundly motivating.

Fatima's thirst for practical experience led her to the EROS: 8-week summer internship programme integrated with her course:

Fatima: I found out about EROS through our department, and all of us were very excited to apply for it. My motivation was to gain experience; a placement year was not something I wanted to do, but I was looking for summer internships, and when I heard of the opportunity, I took it. Initially, I was very nervous because it seemed very intense, but when I started, the project was exactly what I wanted to do, and the pace was good enough for us to properly catch up and learn new skills along the way.

EROS let Fatima, and her colleagues collaborate on the cool project together, helping them develop a set of different skills in design in engineering:

Fatima: Our project focused on design and electronics. We had to design and 3D print hardware to experiment with different types of tubing for respiratory analysis and use it to calculate physiological parameters. I shared the project with a colleague, so there were two of us. We worked together, sharing the responsibilities of the project to ensure we both had the opportunity to work on both the design and the electronics. Once we were half way, we collaborated with another team who had a similar project. I think team work and collaboration are key skills that we learn at university. These are also massively appreciated in the industry where no job is one man’s job.

As she reflects on her internship experience, she highlights the invaluable practical exposure and hands-on experience with cutting-edge devices:

Fatima: Apart from what I mentioned above, I believe it was the exposure to the devices and the hands-on experience we gained during the two months that was particularly valuable. An unexpected benefit was the opportunity to network with industry professionals. During the last week of the internship, our lecturer held a seminar where we were able to learn about ongoing research and the current advancements in wearable technology and modelling and simulation in healthcare

During the internship, weekly check-ins allowed the team to assess their progress, address any challenges, and provide mutual support:

Fatima: We met with our supervisor at the end of every week. I think it helped us stay on track with our project. These meetings allowed us look at how far each of us had worked and to check on everyone, to see if we had any difficulties along the way. This way we were able to support each other, give inputs and discuss with our supervisor the next steps for the development of the projects. I have to say, it kept us organised, well managed, and on schedule to complete our designated tasks.

Fatima's involvement in various roles at NTU, including student mentor, outreach ambassador and course representative, has added depth to her university experience:

Fatima: I have held various roles for quite some time now, including student mentor, course representative, outreach ambassador, and multiple positions as a student ambassador at various events across university campuses.

One of the highlights if being an outreach ambassador was witnessing the surprised faces of Year 6 students when I show them the robots and engineering facilities on campus. As a student ambassador, I help first year students during welcome events and helping them settle at uni in early enrolment. I witness the huge relief on nervous students faces. I also enjoy the formal meetings every term with departmental and school heads as a course representative, to enhance the university experience for future years. The challenge is just managing my time around the roles, club activities, and keeping up academically. Through these experiences, I have learned a lot - how to organise myself, to step out of my comfort bubble and take new chances, be able to express myself clearly, be confident, and to take up and maintain leadership roles. This has made my university experience both memorable and deeply personal to me.

If she had to pick one role Fatima enjoyed the most, it would be...

Fatima: Oh, it would be difficult to pic, but if I absolutely had to, it would be the student mentor role, as it was my very first position. During the training to become a student mentor, I learned and did everything that my 6th form self would have dreaded - attending an event without a friend and talking to strangers. However, by the end of it, I had met so many fun and amazing personalities whom I wouldn't have encountered otherwise. This role had a massive impact on my personal growth and led to one role after another from there.

The additional involvement in the Robotics Club has been a blend of education and enjoyment for her:

Fatima: Alongside being educational, it has been incredibly fun. We have various goals and activities for the members, and we all motivate one another to do our best, learn skills we might not be very confident with, and also create exciting small robots.

The delicate art of balancing an academic schedule with various leadership roles and work commitments is a skill that can be learnt:

Fatima: Balancing academic responsibilities with work and leadership roles requires effective time management, prioritisation, and clear goal-setting. I try my very best to prioritise and manage but frankly, as a human, this doesn’t always happen. Life happens, or maybe you have exams and you need to study more than work. So I don’t stress much, I take one thing at a time. What also helps me is thinking about what I can and can't control, and then I focus on what is within my control.

Fatima reflects on the significance of these extracurricular activities and internships as a complement to the degree: 

Fatima: I think my extracurricular activities and my internship have prepared me just as much as my course. In a world where I graduate with a degree, potentially alongside hundreds of others, what do I have to offer in the workplace that is different and more valuable? It is my skills and experience - my soft skills, my technical skills, and my people skills.

She offered some tips to students who would want to get involved in leadership roles during their studies:

Fatima: Go for it! Even if your idea sounds wild, it doesn't matter. Pursue what you desire, whether it's joining a role you're passionate about, a club, or a society related to your favourite hobby. If you wish to work, find a part-time job. You can do one thing or everything, but always remember that your academic responsibilities come first, no matter what you take on. Don't take up more than you can handle or if you feel it will interfere with your academic progress.

Looking ahead, Fatima would like to combine work and travel:

Fatima: I am set on working in healthcare technology but I don’t have a certain job in mind. Ideally, I would like to work in a role where along with my job I get to travel and meet new people.

We asked Fatima about her thoughts on the support provided by tutors and staff at NTU and whether it has influenced her perspective on her future career:

Fatima: The support I have received from my tutors and lecturers has been incredibly valuable. The lecturers are approachable and genuinely care, always willing to help out, whether through one-on-one meetings, detailed feedback on assignments, or offering extra help when I'm struggling with a challenging concept. The job fairs and industry talks organised by the university also offer invaluable insights into the various career paths available in my field of study.

I think studying at NTU has had an impact on shaping my career goals. Mostly, it's the coursework and practical experiences, which have exposed me to the vast possibilities within my degree, helping me to narrow down my interests to specific areas such as medical devices and healthcare technology. The university's emphasis on practical, hands-on learning has been particularly advantageous. Working on real-world projects and using state-of-the-art equipment has given me with a strong foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of Biomedical Engineering (BME). NTU has played a crucial role in my journey, not only academically but also in terms of personal and professional growth. The university has provided a nurturing environment where I have been encouraged to explore my interests, take on challenges, and develop a strong sense of independence.

If she could give a TED Talk on any topic, it would be:

Fatima: I would give a TED Talk on "Tissue Engineering: Building Organs from Scratch." It would spread the awareness about the growing need for organ transplants and the thousands of patients on waiting lists. Understanding this technological breakthrough would be very important.

Fatima finds inspiration in the experiences and achievements of those around her:

Fatima: I don’t have a certain someone as a role model, but I do observe a lot. I learn from the failures, successes and experiences of the ones around me and the ones that I follow on social media and on LinkedIn for example. However, there are two amazing people in my life, my mom and dad and I learn from them more than I have learnt from anyone or anywhere else. My inspiration is to remember that no one starts at the top; you’ve got to work your way up.

We asked what she likes to do in spare time...

Fatima: I hardly ever get time to be very honest but when I do I love learning new phrases or just basic communication in different languages. I also enjoy cooking and of course eating as well, but when I have a lot of time on hands, I like to catch up on my sleep!

Her final advice for future students is..

Fatima: From personal experience - don’t limit yourself in any way! When you do this, you miss out on opportunities and stop yourself from trying new things simply because you ‘feel’ they aren't for you or you won't enjoy them it. Consequently, you may stop fully enjoying life. Remember your life is your book; you decide how dull or exciting each chapter is. Yes there are uncertainties and obstacles but you decide how you overcome them and what you learn from them.