Meet Asaad Al Barwani, Class of 2022 IB Diploma Graduate

When asked how he felt when he received his results, Asaad said: “I felt great about my results, it was a huge relief to see how good they were, but more than anything I was just proud I made it this far.” 

To complete their IB Diploma Programme, students are required to study Theory of Knowledge (TOK). The TOK component provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how they know what they claim to know. Asaad received an A for his 1600-word essay entitled ‘Can there be knowledge that is independent of culture?’ He wrote beautifully about the influence of culture on mathematics through Islamic architecture and how the axioms are separate from culture, however, in geometry, many discoveries in mathematics were made due to the culture surrounding Islamic architecture and making beautiful things using mathematics. 

Asaad is heading to the bright lights of New York City in the US to study Computer Science at New York University (NYU). Asaad said: “NYU has a great programme for Computer Science, but the main reason I was set on NYU was because of the resources available for game development, namely the NYU Game Center which teaches game design and development and supports students' game development endeavours.” Asaad is excited for the change in weather and scenery after living in the Middle East his entire life.  

When asked why he wanted to study Computer Science, Asaad said: “I have been around computers and technology my entire life, so I feel at home with them. I also have a strong connection with making things, so it makes sense that I really enjoy making programmes and games, which is a huge facet of Computer Science. I have also explored several aspects of computing like Cyber Security, Machine Learning, and Robotics, and I have found myself interested in learning more about all of them, so the degree in Computer Science is really what encapsulates my interests the most.” 

How did the IB Diploma Programme support Asaad in getting into his university of choice? “The Creative, Activity, and Service (CAS) element of the IB Diploma Programme encouraged me to do more than just revision and classwork, and that resulted in me doing a lot of activities which US universities really value. Since the US has a holistic approach to admissions, doing well both academically and in extracurricular activities is important to getting a spot, especially this year, which many say was the most competitive year to date for US applications”. 

Asaad has been an extremely valuable member of the BIS Abu Dhabi community and will be fondly remembered for his many performances as a bass player in BISAD’s Got Talent as well as during the production of Les Misérables. He helped establish the MUN CCA and led as a secretariat during its first year. He established a Game Development CCA where he helped teach younger students and was also a leader in the Media Crew where he helped teach DSLR photography and videography as well as taking pictures for the school’s social media sites. 

Asaad’s fondest memories of BIS Abu Dhabi will be meeting up with his bandmates during lunchtimes to practise for a performance or learn a new song.   
 
When asked what he will miss, Asaad said: “I'll miss the people. Whether it's the teachers who tolerated me sneaking into their classrooms and treating them like they were my age or my friends who are now going to be halfway across the world from me”. 

Once he has graduated from NYU, Asaad is leaning towards game development as it has been his hobby for about 4 years, he is sure to bring the games industry to a new level. Congratulations Asaad!