MAHE Dubai is proud to announce that students from the 2025 graduating batch of the B.Des Interior Design program have been recognised at the prestigious 19th Commercial Interior Design (CID) MENA Awards 2025, held at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

In the category “Best Student Interior Design Concept of the Year”, our students competed with peers from universities across the Middle East, with entries evaluated by an esteemed jury of regional design professionals and organised by Commercial Interior Design magazine. The event brought together 800+ designers from across the region, celebrating excellence in interior design and future talent.

MAHE Dubai students achieved the following honours:

Winner – Best Student Interior Design Concept of the Year

Student: Ms. Ayesha Imran

Project: WAQT – The UAE Cultural Hub Resort

Project Description: Ayesha’s project celebrates the cultural legacy of the UAE through an experiential hospitality concept. WAQT integrates heritage narratives, contextual design strategies and immersive user engagement, envisioning a resort that functions as a living cultural hub.

Dissertation & Thesis Guide: Dr. Arushi Malhotra

Thesis Co-ordinator: Ms. Asifa Mahajabeen

Highly Commended – Best Student Interior Design Concept of the Year

Student: Ms. Delara Shaji

Project: The Althaia Holistic Wellness Retreat for Post-Cancer Survivors

Project Description: Delara’s concept focuses on creating restorative environments for post-cancer recovery, using evidence-based design principles to support both emotional and physical well-being. The retreat is envisioned as a safe, healing space that blends wellness, privacy and compassionate design.

Dissertation & Thesis Guide: Dr. Arushi Malhotra

Thesis Co-ordinator: Ms. Asifa Mahajabeen
 

In addition to their guides, all students were supported throughout the 2023–24 academic year by Dissertation Co-ordinator – Mr. Allan Lompot and faculty members Ms. Tasneem Shikari, Ms. Sneha Elsa Thomas, and Mr. Adel Sattaripour, whose mentorship played a key role in shaping the quality and ambition of the students’ work.

These recognitions at the CID MENA Awards 2025 highlight the strength of the B.Des Interior Design program at MAHE Dubai and reaffirm the university’s commitment to nurturing design graduates who are thoughtful, context-aware and industry-ready.

MAHE Dubai congratulates Ayesha Imran, Delara Shaji, and the entire Interior Design faculty team on this significant achievement.