Pakistan, Oct. 6 -- Mariam Mohamed, a 26-year-old fashion student, has been chosen from several of contestants following a rigorous selection process to represent the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Miss Universe pageant.

She will become the first Emirati woman to represent the UAE on the global Miss Universe stage when the competition takes place next month in Thailand.

"The UAE has given me the confidence to dream big," she said. "I want to be a voice for women who are ambitious, curious and driven. Miss Universe UAE is not just about beauty, it is about impact."

With a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Sydney and currently studying fashion design at ESMOD Dubai, Mariam bridges academia, art and advocacy. "My dr...