For engineering student Rifa Anwar, industry visits usually take place in technical settings. When the opportunity came to visit Alserkal Avenue, she was curious to explore a field she knew little about and understand how creative professionals turn their observations into ideas.
Located in Dubai, Alserkal Avenue is a cultural district that brings together art galleries, creative spaces, and people working across the arts and design industries.
That difference became clearer when she met artist Fathima Mohiuddin, also known as Fatspatrol. Fathima shared her professional projects, personal artwork, and the experiences that had shaped her journey. As the conversation unfolded, she invited the students to reflect on their own connection with art.
She asked what they studied, why they had chosen to attend, and how creativity featured in their lives. These questions encouraged students from different disciplines to share their perspectives, making the session feel open and natural.
Listening to their responses also gave Rifa a closer look at how people approach creativity differently. She noticed that artists often draw from everyday details, connect what they see with their own experiences, and allow ideas to develop through experimentation.
This was different from the structured process Rifa associated with engineering, where work often begins with a practical problem and moves towards a solution. Yet, as she considered both approaches, she began to see an important connection.
Artists and engineers both start by observing the world around them. Engineers may study nature to understand movement, structure, or efficiency, then apply what they learn to solve a problem. Artists may use those same observations to communicate an idea, emotion, or experience.
Recognising this connection changed how Rifa viewed the two fields. Before the visit, she had seen engineering and the creative industry as separate. By the end of the day, she understood how creativity could support technical thinking by encouraging engineers to look closely, question familiar approaches, and explore different possibilities.
The visit also showed Rifa the value of learning across disciplines. Engaging with people outside her field introduced her to another way of thinking, which she could carry into her studies and future work.
For students beginning their university journey, experiences like these can expand the way they see their chosen degree. At Curtin University Dubai, opportunities to engage with different industries encourage students to stay curious, explore new perspectives, and understand how their knowledge can connect with the wider world.
For Rifa, one visit to a creative space became a turning point. It showed her that choosing a career in engineering doesn’t mean limiting yourself to one way of thinking—it means finding inspiration everywhere.
As narrated by Rifa Anwar, Class of 2026.
