Where next for these UAE toppers?

This week, Indian students across the country celebrated the release of various 2017 school examination results. But although some are still reeling from their success, for many, there is no time for rest as they're now figuring out where to go next.

On Sunday, more than 2,000 UAE-based students waited with bated breath to find out how they faired in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE); then one day later, it was the country's Indian School Certificate (ISC - Grade 12) and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE - Grade 10) students shedding tears of joy as results were revealed.

While some students might have known from childhood where they are going after college, many don't begin to consider it until their final year of study. Here, five student toppers from the UAE share their plans for the future with Khaleej Times.

kelly@khaleejtimes.com

Megna Savit, 17

The Indian High School, Dubai

98.4% Science Stream, CBSE (UAE topper)

"Since receiving my results and finding out I was the UAE CBSE topper, I've had some friendly rivalry with my younger sister. She is receiving her Grade 10 results in the coming weeks and she keeps telling me she's going to beat my score. It's good that I've helped inspire her to aim high. As for my next step, my end-goal is to establish my own start-up, so I plan on going to India to get admission into an IIT or NIT college. I'll receive my admission results in the next three weeks so it's a case of waiting and seeing till then."

Anshita Agawal, 17

Our Own English High School, Dubai

97.6% Science Stream, CBSE (school topper)

"In terms of universities, I've been looking at India and Australia. I don't have a concrete offer from any university yet, but I would prefer to study at the University of Sydney or the University of Melbourne. Universities in Australia mainly depend on board results, so scoring high was the aim for me. My family is relocating to Australia this summer. That decision was made partly because I was looking at universities there. In terms of focus, I want to study computer science but career-wise, I'm still deciding."

Soumil Banerjee, 17

Gems Modern Academy, Dubai

99% Science Stream, ISC (school topper)

"I've got my sights set on University College London or Delhi University. If I go to London, I can study mathematics with economics, which are two of my favourite subjects. My first choice would be Delhi University though, as it is a highly reputed campus. In the future, the aim is to become an actuary, carrying out risk taking analysis for companies. That's actually the complete opposite path to what my other family members have taken, as they're all engineers. They're happy that I'm doing something different too."

Atharva Pulujkar, 17

Gems Modern Academy, Dubai

99% Science Stream, ISC (school topper)

"I've had offers from Imperial College London for a course in mechanical engineering. I'm not 100 per cent sure what the career goal is just yet, but I'm naturally inclined towards the mechanical engineering path because I love machines and robots. Like Soumil, no one in my family has pursued a career in this field. My primary focus is to study in the UK but ultimately get a job in the States, possibly in the automobile industry. What I'm looking forward to most about the UK is living alone. After 17 years at home I'm excited for that independence."

Adiba Ejaz, 15

Gems Modern Academy, Dubai

98.8% Science Stream, ICSE (school topper)

"Asking me what I want to do in the future is very much a crisis question for me. I'm really into physics and when I was younger I always wanted to be an astronaut. But I kind of realised that it might just be a pipe dream, but who knows. I've just completed Grade 10 so I still have time to decide where I want to go in terms of colleges, but I do have my sights set on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). I really want to go there. I know it will be a tough task to get in but these latest results have just propelled me to go for it with full fervor."

Source: Khaleej Times