Emirati student killed in crash honoured posthumously at UAEU graduation

Bainah Daeij Khalaf Al Karab Al Ali, a fourth-year student in the College of Science, was killed on Friday, 16 October, when a tanker truck carrying petroleum products collided with the vehicle she was travelling in on Al Dhaid Road. She was on her way from Al Ain to Ras Al Khaimah with a female classmate, who suffered a fractured hand in the crash.

Posthumous honour at graduation

During the ceremony marking the end of the 2026–2027 academic year, UAEU paid tribute to Bainah at the very start of the proceedings. Her father, Daeij Khalaf Al Karab Al Ali, received the certificate recognising her academic distinction on behalf of his late daughter. The university had arranged the honour after an appeal from Bainah’s mother, who wanted her daughter’s name to remain among her graduating peers and her achievements to be acknowledged despite her absence.

Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and Chancellor of UAEU, said the university was determined to recognise Bainah at the beginning of the ceremony. He described the tribute as a meaningful way to preserve her memory and honour her academic record.

“It was truly an occasion that was close to our hearts,” Nusseibeh said. “In the face of such a great loss, we wanted to do something that would preserve her memory.” He prayed for God’s mercy on Bainah and for patience and solace for her family, adding that losing a young student in such circumstances was not easy.

Father’s mixed emotions

Speaking to Gulf News after the ceremony, Bainah’s father said the event brought together pride in his daughter’s achievements and the pain of her absence.

“I do not know what to say. My feelings of happiness and sadness were mixed on this occasion. Praise be to God in all circumstances,” he said. “This recognition means a great deal to my late daughter. The university spared no effort in comforting us and honouring her memory.”

He added that the university had taken special care of the family throughout their visit, from arrival on campus until departure. “They handed us Bainah’s certificate of excellence, and her tribute took place at the beginning of the ceremony. From the moment we entered the university until we left, they did everything they could for us. They welcomed us with great care and respect and seated us in the front rows,” he said.

The father also recalled meeting Zaki Nusseibeh, who offered his condolences and expressed sympathy. “I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Zaki Nusseibeh, the university director and everyone involved in the graduation ceremony for the care, sympathy and respect they showed my late daughter, and for supporting our family,” he said. “We are grateful to them from the bottom of our hearts. They treated Bainah as if she were their own daughter, not merely a student at the university.”

In a moving moment, the ceremony’s presenter spoke about Bainah’s death, remembered her academic journey and invited those present to pray for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Mother’s heartfelt wish

Bainah’s mother, known as Umm Bainah, said she had not fully realised the extent of her daughter’s academic excellence until relatives and friends began visiting the family to offer condolences. During those visits, university professors told her that Bainah had been among the high-achieving students and that her name had appeared on the academic excellence list from her first semester. Despite the demands of her specialisation, she had maintained strong academic performance throughout her studies.

The mother said the praise she heard from her daughter’s professors and classmates revealed aspects of Bainah’s university life she had not previously known. Their words filled her with pride but also deepened her grief that Bainah had died before she could complete her studies and celebrate graduation with her family. Although she had hoped to attend the tribute, she was unable to be present, so Bainah’s father attended on behalf of the family.

Fatal crash on Al Dhaid Road

Bainah died on Friday, 16 October, after a tanker truck carrying petroleum products collided with the vehicle in which she was travelling with a female university classmate on Al Dhaid Road. The two students were travelling from Al Ain to Ras Al Khaimah to spend the weekend with their families. Bainah died in the crash, while her friend, who was driving, suffered a fractured hand.

According to her mother, Bainah had decided that day, for the first time, to travel with her friend in the latter’s car so that she would not have to make the journey alone. The family had no way of knowing that the trip would be Bainah’s last.

At 20, Bainah was in her fourth year at UAEU and nearing the completion of her university studies. Her death cut short a promising academic journey just days before the milestone she and her family had been looking forward to celebrating.

Following the accident, UAEU sent three delegations to offer condolences to Bainah’s family. The university director also contacted them to express sympathy.