Alya graduated from New York University Abu Dhabi with a double major in Economics and Political Science and a minor in Social Research and Public Policy. Her experiences span government strategies, public sector consulting, investment banking, economic diversification initiatives, and research on governance, policy, and development across multiple regions. Alongside competing in international debate tournaments, Alya has led and organised initiatives to promote debate and public speaking skills among youth in the UAE, including national debate competitions and NYUAD’s first Women’s Debate and Public Speaking Conference. She has also supported development programmes focused on improving access to education and employment for displaced populations. Alya is pursuing the Master of Public Policy in Oxford to advance foreign aid strategies. Alya is a Rhodes scholar