
I joined Middlesex University Dubai in 2013 as a young, energetic kid with lots of ambition and a drive to constantly learn. I knew that my camera and the media sector in particular were my calling, but the wings to support my dream were brought to fruition by the team and professors at Middlesex University Dubai. Within my first year, I was attending photo expeditions with the Student Photography Club and also became an official photographer for the University – covering annual events, sports competitions and the youth festival among others. Little did I know that this would come to shape my future.
As a student I was aware that photography, animation, comic art and writing were the things that gave me the most satisfaction – for me this was not work, it was fun and an outlet for my creativity. One of my dear friends who would accompany me on such exhibitions pushed me to send my work to National Geographic and I did – and never looked back! My work was met with critical acclaim and earned me the Hamdan Photography Award and the National Geographic Nature Photographer of 2012.
After graduating and working for various companies as a digital marketing executive, I decided to embark on my own journey, set up my own company and become my own boss. It is hard work, not only are you responsible for yourself, but the work of your employees. This only makes the experience even more rewarding – after all, the company is my baby! I can say with certainty that both my undergraduate and postgraduate study with Middlesex aided me in understanding the core of a viable business opportunity and how to trust your gut instinct. All this was shaped through years of hands on experience and learning from professors who encouraged us to find solutions to problems.
My digital marketing company, Catch Communicationsv specialising in film, marketing and production now has three studios in India and assignments across the globe, with new projects and a web animated series in the pipeline. Looking back, I can only say one thing – how can you ever know what will work and whether you will succeed if you don’t try? Understand that there is a chance to learn in every opportunity and that there is no success without failure.