Dubai: After spending three years working in Silicon Valley and pursuing advanced studies in robotics in the US, Shivani Sivakumar had the opportunity to continue building her career in one of the world’s leading technology hubs. But for the 27-year-old, professional opportunities were only part of the equation.
The decision to return to the UAE was also about family, belonging, and the kind of future she wanted to build.
Originally from India, Sivakumar has moved to the Emirates 16 years ago. She has attended Dubai Modern Academy and graduated in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BITS Pilani before moving to the US for a master’s degree in Robotic Systems Development.
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Her professional experience spans autonomous construction, warehouse, industrial and service robots, as well as humanoid robotics, with a focus on bringing robotic systems into practical, real-world applications.
Despite the opportunities she found abroad, she says the UAE has remained the place where she felt most connected.
“Having spent nearly 20 years here, the UAE is where I grew up, studied, and formed many of the relationships that matter most to me. Home is not just where you are born, it’s where you are built,” Sivakumar told Gulf News.
From Dubai to Silicon Valley
