DUBAI — Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, yesterday received the Academic Personality of the Year Award on behalf of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the 10th edition of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance.
Shaikh Mohammed was named the Academic Personality of the Year for his endless support, both locally and internationally.
Present at the ceremony were the patron of the Award, Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and a large number of VIPs and officials, representatives of the Education Ministries in the GCC states, students, their parents and educationists.
Addressing the gathering, Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid reiterated that education is considered the starting point which helps realise the visions of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Rulers of the Emirates. Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid praised the organisations which lent their support to the event and called on the Hamdan Award Board of Trustees to organise an annual commendation ceremony to honour those in the field of education countrywide.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Dr. Hanif Hassan expressed his happiness over the hosting of the annual event which he described as a “feast” for education and its leaders.
The 10th edition featured as many as 139 winners from the country and 17 others from the Gulf states, Dr. Hanif said.
He assured that the number of categories in the award will be increased to cover enhanced school performance and improvement in the arbitration process as well as participation in the Dubai Government Excellence Programme.
An operatta was presented by students of Jumeirah Model School. A video clip titled ‘My Vision’ was also played during the ceremony.
An exhibition showcasing the innovative works of the distinguished students, too, was organised.
By Mohsen Rashid (Our staff reporter)