The Civil Engineering Students Association was established in 2007 as the first student organization in the field of Civil Engineering in Dubai. The purpose of CESA is to promote civil engineering practice and research, to participate in activities related to civil engineering, and establish an environment that provides information and assistance to civil engineering students by their peers.

The Joist, a CESA publication, is a newsletter edited by AUD Civil Engineering students. It focuses mainly on issues of interest and concern to Civil Engineering students at AUD.