VCUarts Qatar Students Recognized by Arab Engineering Bureau for Design Excellence

Four students from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) have been recognized through the prestigious Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) Design Excellence Award and the Creative Achievement and Potential Award.

The awards, launched in 2007 and 2014 respectively, were conceptualized by AEB Group Chief Executive Officer and Chief Architect, Dr. Ibrahim Jaidah, as a way to nurture emerging talent and encourage distinguished VCUarts Qatar students in their academic and professional journeys.

“Our longstanding partnership with the Arab Engineering Bureau reflects a shared commitment to supporting emerging designers, from the moment they begin their education at VCUarts Qatar through to their entry into the professional field,” said Amir Berbić, Dean of VCUarts Qatar. “Industry recognition affirms the caliber of talent emerging from VCUarts Qatar and provides our students with meaningful exposure and opportunities as they begin their careers.”

Dr. Jaidah added: “For nearly three decades, VCUarts Qatar has cultivated a dynamic environment where creativity, critical thinking, and cultural dialogue converge. The continued emergence of forward-looking designers reflects an academic culture that balances regional identity with global relevance.

“Sponsoring these awards is part of Arab Engineering Bureau’s broader commitment to sustaining design excellence across generations. As we mark our 60th anniversary this year, and celebrate the 20th cycle of AEB Excellence Award, this initiative holds particular significance: it bridges our legacy in practice with the promise of those who will shape what comes next. Recognizing these students is not only a moment of celebration, but a reaffirmation of our role in nurturing the evolving design industry.”

This year’s online iteration of the AEB Awards honored senior students Nada Tamer Abdo, Interior Design, and Julianne Villanueva Pagulayan, Graphic Design, with the Design Excellence Award, while two junior students Sophia Isabel Flores, Interior Design, and Shamma Al-Ali, Graphic Design, received the Creative Achievement and Potential Award.  

“Being recognized by the prestigious Arab Engineering Bureau is a profound honor that I accept with immense gratitude. As a designer, receiving an award from an institution of this caliber is a significant milestone in my career. It inspires me to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation,” Pagulayan said.  

Reflecting on her plans after graduation, she added: “My primary focus is to bridge the gap between industry experience and my goal of independent entrepreneurship. My time at VCUarts Qatar was transformative. It allowed me to discover that my strengths lie in the digital realm. I developed a versatile toolkit spanning Brand Identity, Motion Graphics, Sound Design, Game Design, and UI/UX.”

 For her part, Flores discussed the inspiration behind her work and how VCUarts Qatar has helped students meet professional standards while opening pathways into the creative sector.

 “I’m drawn to small and overlooked details like objects, routines, and shared habits, and how they shape the way people experience a space. I try to incorporate both physical objects and intangible ones to make spaces feel more meaningful and familiar,” she said.

 “As an emerging designer, it feels reassuring to know that the ideas I’m exploring resonate beyond the academic setting,” she said of the AEB award.

In his remarks, Dean Berbić commended the recipients for their achievement: “To our deserving students, congratulations. I am confident you will embody the spirit of VCUarts Qatar as you move forward on your journey and continue to contribute to the evolving design landscape through your work.”